Microsoft Launches BizSpeak to Court Startups

Microsoft (MSFT) is launching a new program called BizSpark to encourage startups to build on their stack Wednesday morning.

Virtually everything a startup needs to build a web service (many of the tools and software compete with open source alternatives, such as MySQL) is being offered to startups for free for three years. The program, run by VP Strategic and Emerging Business Development Dan’l Lewin, is global and provides access to full-featured development tools and production licenses of server products with no upfront costs. BizSpark also provides the necessary hand holding with free technical support.

The fine print: startups need to be referred in via a network of venture capitalists, consultants and other professionals in a position to flag promising companies. To qualify a startup needs to have been in business for less than three years and have less than $1 million in revenue.

What startups get: a free, tech-supported alternative to open source software. Microsoft gets to train a new crop of engineers on their software and services, and lock these guys in after three years when fees start to be charged. Brilliant.

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Comments

[James Wilson:]

Here we go. The world domination software.

2008 Nov 05 01:53 PM

[Jonathan Scott:]

This is similar to DreamSpark, Microsoft's developer software program for students. I assume this calculation makes sense when small start ups and students previously relied upon pirated software.
All this free software is an unexpected consequence of pirating. The pirates should be thanked.

P.S. thank you pirates.

2008 Nov 05 05:02 PM

[cookie cutter:]

here's the real headline: microsoft gives away software to startups...but nobody wants it

lamp is better and always free, more scaleable

2008 Nov 06 01:50 PM