Microsoft sparks fledgling developer interest with BizSpark

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 06 November 2008 09:50

IT Industry - Development

Microsoft's trying to head off the encroachment of open source into what it sees as its traditional turf - development tools - with a new scheme called BizSpark. The idea is to provide startups with tool and server licences for $0 upfront.

Perhaps the biggest problem with getting a new venture off the ground is that you don't have any revenue until you start shipping a product. Software developers don't always need fancy office space - many an innovation has come from programmers working at home - and a reasonable PC doesn't cost a fortune these days.

But as soon as you start adding commercial software to the shopping list, costs can climb quickly. And that makes open source tools attractive.

So Microsoft has launched BizSpark in order to get its tools into the hands of fledgling companies. BizSpark provides a three year Microsoft Developer Network Professional subscription (giving access to Visual Studio, the .NET Framework and other software), a range of production licences for Windows Server, SQL Server and other server software, access to discounted hosting services, and promotional opportunities through the online BizSparkDB directory.

"Entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation and creating the kinds of new jobs that are essential to sustainable economic growth," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

"Microsoft BizSpark is an exciting way for us to help provide business startups with the development tools, advice and exposure they need," he added.

That advice will come from program partners that include economic development agencies, university incubators, hosting companies and investors.

In Australia, these include La Trobe University, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Victorian Government, Technology Venture Partners, Starfish Ventures, iLab Incubators and AC&E International. US partners include the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE).

What do partners and participants have to say about BizSpark? See page 2.