Are you new Start-up have you heard of BizSpark?

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So what is BizSpark

BizSpark is a Microsoft program to help software start-ups at the beginning when money may be tight.  You can utilize it for a maximum of 3 years, but afterwards BizSpark Alumni can keep, at no charge, all the software they downloaded during their three years in the program, including a standard configuration of Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server.  If you wish to purchase after your 3 years in the program, special BizSpark Alumni discounts are available.  Microsoft does not take equity in your start-up.

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BizSpark provides:

* Software: You get access to a ridiculous amount of Microsoft software (a Visual Studio Ultimate MSDN subscription, which includes 900+ current, full-featured software development tools, platform technologies, and server products to build software applications).  This includes Windows, Office, Visual Studio, SQL Server, etc.  For the most up to date listing of products, click products by benefit level and then click Visual Studio Ultimate with MSDN tab for a representative list of products.

* Cloud services: you receive $150 of free monthly Microsoft Azure benefits.  Run your services in the cloud (Azure supports running Linux virtual machines as well as Windows).  If you are building Windows, iPhone, or Android apps, take advantage of Windows Azure Mobile Services, which provides cloud storage space, authentication services (with built-in support for using Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft Account/LiveID, and Active Directory credentials as well as custom auth using JWT), and push notifications (with support for Windows Push Notifications, Apple Push Notifications, or Google Cloud Messaging).

* Support: access to investors, advisors, and valuable offers to help run their businesses, find talent, and obtain financing. Start-ups also get access to technical, product and business training and support.

* Free access to the Windows Stores

* Free promotion to the global BizSpark community

Register

To be eligible, you must meet these criteria:

  • Actively engaged in development of a software-based app, product, or service that will form a core piece of your current or intended business.  (NOTE: you must be building a product!  Start-ups providing consulting services are not eligible.)
  • Your company is privately held, and in business for less than 5 years.
  • Makes less than US $1 million in annual revenue
  • https://www.microsoft.com/bizspark  
Help!

Here are some great resources to help you:

Also, if you are a start-up that doesn’t have a public-facing company name or website yet, please

Perks of the program:

  • Windows 8 / Windows Phone developer accounts
  • Visual Studio Ultimate 2013
  • Windows 8
  • Office 365
  • $150 / month Azure credits
  • Website hosting, virtual machines, databases, and mobile services
  • Visual Studio Online (Formerly TFS)
  • 90 Days of pluralsight + DigitalTutors training
  • Free marketing support with Microsoft
  • UnityVS, for debugging Unity games within Visual Studio

Who qualifies?

  • Actively engaged in development of a software-based app, product, or service that will form a core piece of your current or intended business.  (NOTE: you must be building a product!  Startups providing consulting services are not eligible.)
  • Your company is privately held, and in business for less than 5 years.
  • Makes less than US $1 million in annual revenue

Whether you are a student, start-up, or an indie game developer, Microsoft views you as a welcome addition to our start-up program.

Some additional resources: