Nokia gives key patents to former employees in smartphone start-up Jolla

Ex-Nokia employees who recently launched a new smartphone start-up named Jolla have been granted a number of key patents by their former employer.

Earlier this week, SmartCompany reported that a group of former Nokia executives and engineers who had worked on MeeGo, a next generation Linux-based smartphone platform that Nokia has since abandoned in favour of Windows Phone, have formed the start-up to continue development on the platform.

According to reports, the start-up has received incubator support and key patents covering the MeeGo platform through Nokia’s Bridge project.

Nokia’s Bridge project aims to assist former employees wishing to launch their own businesses, following the recent announcement of 10,000 job cuts at the company.

According to the Finnish phone giant, as part of the Bridge project: “Nokia will offer training, funding, and help identify business opportunities and partnerships for those interested in starting a new business or a company on their own which can fuel new growth for impacted communities.”