Providing easy access to software development tools and technologies for SMEs and start-ups
Microsoft today unveiled Microsoft BizSpark, a global programme designed to help accelerate the success of entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups. BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. BizSpark also provides technical support and market visibility.
BizSpark is particularly relevant right now: with the financial crisis risking derailing the Lisbon Agenda and economy slowing down at global level, SMEs are increasingly struggling to find funding opportunities in Europe. The programme comes at a time when the European Commission is increasingly encouraging multinationals to increase their presence in Europe, and answers Europe’s call to support SMEs in a time of financial uncertainty. BizSpark will help businesses and especially SMEs to build their markets, while benefiting from free and discounted software, and will help them to cut costs which they normally would incur. These savings will help to free up much needed funds, and will in turn help to put a focus on innovation and creativity, ultimately stimulating economic growth.
BizSpark is supported by a global network of organizations such as economic development agencies, university research centers, banks and investors including the European Business Angel Network (EBAN), The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), and Junior Achievement Young Enterprise (JA-YE). These organizations provide guidance, advice, mentoring and resources to help drive start-up success.
Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman Europe of Microsoft, introduced BizSpark as “not only a great first step for helping European SMEs through the financial crisis, but also in implementing many of the recommendations of the Small Business Act. BizSpark follows the intent of the Commission’s thinking on these two fronts, and will make life easier for SMEs, helping Europe’s business environment.”
“Entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation and creating the kinds of new jobs that are essential to sustainable economic growth,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. “Microsoft BizSpark is an exciting way for us to help provide business startups with the development tools, advice, and exposure they need. We look forward to working with organizations and development agencies around the globe to foster entrepreneurship and help new companies succeed.”
This is especially true in Europe, where SMEs still face high bureaucratic hurdles and problems with access to early stage funding and assistance. BizSpark also fits into Microsoft’s wider strategy of partnerships and aid to European SMEs, such as the European Union Grants Advisory programme which helps SMEs identify and apply for EU funding.
“EBAN members are committed to supporting innovative start-ups in particular through capacity building at the early stages of development. Business angels are key divers of European economic innovation and play a major role in supporting the creation and growth of high potential start-ups. Tools such as Microsoft BizSpark are instrumental in providing start-ups with access to software development tools and technologies that are critical to their growth, and will support the development of a business idea into a sustainable business which will increase the attractiveness to third party early stage investors” says Anthony Clarke, President of EBAN.
Building Start-up Success Through Software Access, Market Support and Global Visibility
As part of BizSpark, Microsoft is providing startups with a three-year Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Premium subscription. MSDN makes design and development tools available which help to build, test and maintain an application on Microsoft platforms. For start-ups building hosted software, BizSpark includes production licenses for the application and management servers including Windows Server, SQL Server, Sharepoint Portal Server, Biztalk Server and Systems Center, with Dynamics CRM to be added soon. The program will also provide a worldwide network of hosting partners, offering discounted hosting services to startups wishing to take their business or product online using their BizSpark licenses. Finally, startups will have the opportunity to be profiled and promoted on the BizSparkDB, an online start-up directory, where Microsoft will promote promising start-ups from around the world every day.
“We think Microsoft BizSpark addresses a fundamental challenge start-ups face: access to current, full-featured tools and technologies that help turn ideas into a thriving business,” said Suren G. Dutia, Chief Executive Officer of The Indus Entrepreneurs Global (TiE Global). “We will work closely with Microsoft to help startups bring their innovative solutions to market more quickly and effectively by providing educational programs, business mentoring, and peer networking. We are excited to be part of this new effort to propagate entrepreneurship globally, cultivating the future generation of highly successful entrepreneurs.”
BizSpark Availability
BizSpark is available to privately held companies and individuals building a software-based product or service who have been in business less than three years and have less than $1 million in revenue. BizSpark is intended to provide start-ups with software, support and visibility at a time when they are most valuable and least affordable. BizSpark is available in Europe in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
To learn more about BizSpark and other startup resources, visit the Microsoft Startup Zone at www.microsoftstartupzone.com.