Microsoft launches BizSpark for startups

BENGALURU, INDIA: Microsoft India announced the launch of Microsoft BizSpark—a global program designed to help IT entrepreneurs with software support and vibrant ecosystem. BizSpark will provide Indian startups with software, support and visibility at now upfront costs and minimal requirements.

The program will enable startups to access a broad set of technologies which help to build, test and deploy their software applications. Microsoft is providing a suit of softwares under BizSpark which include Design tools (Microsoft expression Studio with MSDN subscription), Development test and demonstration (Visual Studio Professional, Microsoft Server Software, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office System 2007), production hosting (hosting severs, IT operations servers) and support resources (both technical and not—technical).

Moorthy Uppaluri, GM—DPE, Microsoft India said BizSpark is part of Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program that the company runs in India for software entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into reality through insights, software, tools, and opportunity mapping. Microsoft BizSpark in available to all startups who are actively engaged in development of software-based products or service that is a core price of their business model.

In order to qualify for the program a startup needs to have been in business for less than three years and should be privately held, and have less that $1 million per capita revenue. A nominal $100 (Rs 5,000) program offering fee will be assessed when a startup exits the program for instance after three years of participation, or due to going public or being acquired by a non -startup company.

Uppaluri stated that BizSpark program is aimed at helping startups to succeed and hereby, enabling the growth of local innovation in India.

India is at a inflection point and if it has to move up the value chain in the global knowledge economy then the entire ecosystem has to be innovative. BizSpark is a tailor made program to help startups set up the ecosystem at a crucial year of their lifecycle, he added.

Sheila Gulati, GM, Microsoft Corp who launched the program added that the fact that the suit of software comes at no cost to the startup takes care of the cost barrier, while working with partners like TiE, NEN, Proto, Nasscom, IDG who have business resources and expertise will facilitate access to advice and exposure that is so vital for startups.