The Web is all about using the Internet as a platform to offer services instead of static information or downloads. Collaboration often is key to making these services work. Sites like Wikipedia, Digg, del.icio.us, and Salesforce.com live on the force of community contribution. A network of contributors makes the difference, giving services personality and relevance through sharing and the open review of work.

The next generation of Web startups, pushing the philosophy of the programmable Web, is often lumped together under the trendy Web 2.0 moniker. They pop up like weeds and range from collaborative calendars and word processors to desktop search applications and mash-ups that combine disparate sites such as Craigslist and Google Maps.

From this crop of contenders and pretenders will emerge a group of companies and services that have what it takes to bring the new and improved Web to businesses. In that spirit, InformationWeek has highlighted 10 startups whose services and applications have the potential to bring about a revolutionary change in the way the Web makes businesses run.

DESKTOP SEARCH Blinkx Changes Desktop Search COLLABORATION Wikis Suit Up For The Office DESKTOP PRODUCTIVITY Web Word Processing Made Simple ON-DEMAND PLATFORM DreamFactory Brings Power To The Browser ONLINE MARKETING Turn RSS Into Really Simple Sales COLLABORATIVE CALENDAR Online Calendar Draws Enterprise Interest SOCIAL NETWORKING Blog Software That Stands Apart INTERACTIVE DEVELOPMENT Laszlo Restores Power To Web Users MASH-UPS Mashups: A Hallmark Of Web 2.0 SHAREABLE CONTACTS Business Cards No More