Microsoft BizSpark
Microsoft has started a whole new initiative in recent aimed at technology startups. They have introduced a website called Microsoft Startup Zone which ‘helps technology startups around the world incubate ideas and drive innovation forward’ and the Startup Zone provides essential resources to get the most from Microsoft. The site contains a lot of information for startups from advice on getting funding, getting talent to getting customers.
Probably the most attractive offering, for startups, is the Microsoft BizSpark program which is a three year program designed to give startups a jump-start with no upfront enrolment costs (yes, FREE!)…. You’ll get:
- Software: MSDN Premium Subscription with Expression Studio
- Production Licenses: to host a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution on the Internet
- Professional Support: from Microsoft and community support from BizSpark Network Partners
- Global Visibility: profiling your company online in the BizSpark DB
So if you are umming and arring about your own startup plans, what are you waiting for?! This is the perfect opportunity!
To get started, ideally you need a network partner who will provide business mentoring, peer connections and other entrepreneurial resources, such as, Pixel Programming who are highly experienced in Microsoft .NET from version 1.0 through to 3.5, ASP.NET, Windows Forms and more…