Microsoft BizSpark

Microsoft® BizSpark™ is a global program that helps software startups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players, including investors, and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs starting a business.

Software
Get immediate access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools, platform technologies, and production licenses of server products (including Windows Azure Platform) for use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions.

Support

• Receive business development and technical training at highly subsidized costs or in many cases, no costs.
• Receive two technical support incidents per startup. Each incident is managed by Microsoft until they are resolved, no matter how many calls it takes.
• Receive access to MSDN Ultimate managed newsgroups, online library, and so on.
• Get connected to BizSpark Network Partners around the world—incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies, and hosters—that are equally involved and vested in software-fueled innovation and entrepreneurship, and who will provide a wide range of support resources, including expert mentoring.

Visibility
Get marketing visibility in front of an audience of potential investors, customers, partners and journalists and tap into a rich, vibrant ecosystem of peers, partners, and support resources around the globe.

Microsoft BizSpark One: The Best of BizSpark
The Microsoft BizSpark One program identifies a small number of high-potential startups in the Microsoft BizSpark program comprised, of nearly 40,000 companies from over 100 countries around the world. Companies in the BizSpark One program demonstrate a strong potential to succeed, shape the industry’s future and enhance the overall value of Microsoft products and services for end users. Microsoft works closely through a one-to-one relationship with these companies, providing customized engagement plans to accelerate their growth including access to technical, marketing and business development resources.

BizSparkCamp for Startups
BizSparkCamps are free technical training events for developers and the startup community. Each camp is designed to meet the needs of the local area, and often include: introductions to and hands-on experience with the latest Microsoft technologies, instructor-led labs, demonstrations by technical experts, coaching from industry experts and networking with other BizSpark Startups and Network Partners.

Microsoft European BizSpark Summit
Each year Microsoft organizes the BizSpark European Summit which brings together Europe’s up and coming startups, investors and press, as well as Government and European Commission speakers.

The 2011 BizSpark European Summit was held on June 14th in Brussels with over 220 attendees.  Over 300 startups were evaluated and 15 were chosen to present, from 13 different countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. The winner was MopApp from Italy who were then featured in WSJ Europe.

More information at www.bizspark.com