A startup software development company faces the same challenges as many other small businesses top of which may be raising capital. The initial capital normally finds uses in areas such as setting up the hardware and other infrastructure, catering software developers, project managers and admin staff salaries and also purchasing the hardware and software platforms needed to develop their solutions or products. Microsoft now has a global program dubbed BizSpark that intends to help ‘light up’ software businesses and help minimize the acquisition costs of software.

Microsoft® BizSpark™ program is designed to help accelerate the success of early stage startups by providing key resources when they need it the most:

·         Software. Allows these startups to receive fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools, platform technologies, and production licenses of server products for immediate use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions. There is no upfront cost to enroll.

·         Support. A connection to Network Partners around the world — incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters — that are equally involved and vested in software-fueled innovation and entrepreneurship who will provide a wide range of support resources. 2 NPs exist in Kenya (Enabligs.org and Kenya Industrial Research Institute)

·         Visibility. Achieve global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners
A Microsoft BizSpark member will tap into a rich, vibrant ecosystem of peers, partners and support resources around the globe, helping you grow and succeed.

Basically, startups get all the Microsoft products they need to build, test and deploy their product, for three years; support includes 1:1 developer-level assistance with technical problems, as well as the community support provided by the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN); visibility is via the BizSpark DB on Microsoft’s StartupZone site.

The list is comprehensive. Startups get a MSDN premium subscription for three years, for each of their developers. The subscription includes: 

Joining is easy!

If you want to join BizSpark send an email to BizSpark@microsoft.com and if you are eligible, we will send you a code.