Microsoft launches BizSpark, a program to give start-ups a leg-up

On Wednesday, at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Microsoft announced the worldwide launch of a program to promote young companies. BizSpark provides start-ups developing software or services with access to Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products at no upfront costs.

The offer is open to companies that have been active for less than three years and make sales worth not more than one million dollars annually. A recommendation from a BizSpark Network Partner will also be required so that free licences can be obtained to such software as Visual Studio, Windows Server, SQL Server, SharePoint, BizTalk and Systems Center. The BizSpark Network is also designed to help start-ups contact new partners and clients.

(trk)