BizSpark - A new Microsoft program for startups

I belong to the New York City .Net Developers Group, and I just received this heads up from our leader...

Microsoft today launched a new program to provide software for startup companies.

This program will be managed by companies that are called Network Partners. These Network Partners will be responsible for validating the legitimacy of a startup and their qualifications for the program.

The New York City .NET Developers Group is one of the Network Partners.

If your company qualifies you should get in touch with

Andrew Brust Andrew.Brust@26ny.commailto:Andrew.Brust@26ny.com

or

Stephen Forte stevef@orcsweb.com.

Please put "BizSpark" at the beginning of the subject line.

Here's the Press Release from Microsoft...

Entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation and creating the kinds of new jobs that are essential to sustainable economic growth.

Microsoft BizSpark is an exciting way for Microsoft to help provide business startups with the development tools, advice and exposure they need at a time when they are most valuable and least affordable-during the first three years.

Eligibility:
--Members are sponsored by a network partner- privately held, in a software business for less than 3 years and with less than $1M in revenues (country-level varients of less than USD $1M apply)

--no costs for the first three years of the program.

--Microsoft will assess a USD$100 program offering fee at the end of participation in the programSoftware:

* All the software included in the Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN Premium subscription- for the entire development team
* Expression Studio (Version 2)
* VSTS Team Foundation Server(Standard Edition)
* Production License use rights to host a "software as a service" solution over the Internet, using the following platforms: Windows Server (all versions); SQL Server (all versions); Office SharePoint Server; Systems Center, and BizTalk Server.Outcomes of BizSpark :
* Creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem among three groups: high-potential technology startups, entrepreneurial and economic development organizations (a.k.a. Network Partners such as TiE, EBAN, Venture Capitalists and relevant Gov't agencies), and Microsoft.
* Helps foster software innovation by enabling startups to easily access Microsoft's tools, services and support that can help them get their solutions to market quickly.