Experience of Microsoft BizSpark / Empower [closed]

Question

What experience people have had signing up to Microsoft BizSpark etc.

Also what happens with Microsoft BizSpark if I do not ship the product in the end – e.g. someone makes me a job offer I cannot say no to?

Is it OK to be doing contracting while developing the product to help fund the development?

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Also consider WebsiteSpark that has just come out (24th Sep 2009)

Answer 1

In the BizSpark contract the liability is expressly limited to $100 on each side. So if you fall completely out of their coverage and they realize it, you have to pay the $100 and they cancel your subscriptions, but that's it.

And really as long as you keep the startup as a technical entity, I don't know that they care whether or not it has (for instance) at least 30 hours a week total work being done. (Nor how they could find out.)

Answer 2

I'm a BizSpark member in the US, and I agree with the comments here. Once signed up, there is a $100 liability, but that's it. I've been in the program for approximately 6 months so far, and I'm trying to do what I am obligated to (ship a product, provide updates, etc). But I don't get any pressure to ship a product or provide frequent updates.

I do get contacted from my sponsor every once in a while, offering help.

My signup experience was surprisingly easy. I contacted a local user group and explained what I was doing and I was quickly approved. I am working on a SaaS application, but still don't have a release date.

Just be honest. During signup, I explained that I was using Windows 2003 in Amazon's S3 cloud, I had no interest (at this time) in Azure. This wasn't an issue at all. Don't sign up unless you really are working on a SaaS application and if you have questions like "what happens if...", ask the sponsor who will sign you up.