Microsoft BizSpark - another tool in Entrepreneur’s belt
Microsoft announced today an initiative that offers startups, software and services that helps them get off the ground quickly.
The program targets early stage software startups, with resources including access to Microsoft platform software and development tools with no upfront costs. The program will also provide access to technical support and marketing visibility from Microsoft, as well as support through a select group of network partners – industry associations, government agencies, university incubators and investors – chartered with advancing entrepreneurialism.
For a startup to be eligible for the program, it must fulfill these criteria:
1. It’s a privately held company
2. It has been in business for less than 3 years
3. Generates less than $1 million per year in revenue
4. Has to be a software startup
What do they get from it?
a. Software along with Licenses for development (Windows, Visual Studio, Office, etc)
b. Access to Azure - Microsoft’s Cloud Computing platform
Microsoft’s announcement encourages innovation. There are already a gazzillion things that entrepreneurs have to do to create a successful business out of an idea - at least infrastructure hurdles can be removed out of that process.
The bigger question is (as pointed out here and here) - Will this initiative help change the mindset of entrepreneurs and have them look at Microsoft Technologies for their business?
