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I learned about Microsoft BizSpark the other day and started the sign up process. Has anyone else heard about it or had success with it?
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The BizSpark program was discontinued on February 14, 2018. and replaced by the Microsoft for Startups program. In October 2021 a new hub for Founders was added providing improved oversight of benefits and the startup company profile.
Microsoft says that the Startups Founders Hub is a new digital and truly inclusive platform for Founders in Asia. It offers over USD300,000 worth of benefits and credits, giving startups free access to the technology, tools, and resources they need to build and run their business.
Azure has BizSpark, which is a startup friendly program from Microsoft. Under this program, the (early stage) startups can get 5 free accounts for using Microsoft developer software. It also provides free Azure hosting credits.
I can't speak for BizSpark specifically (it's so new), but Microsoft has had the similar Empower program in place for 5 or so years. When our company was originally getting started, we joined the program (and participated for two years) and it was an excellent program.
The main benefit, of course, is that you get access to MSDN Subscriptions at such a low cost. Aside from that, though, it put us in touch with the local Microsoft office and gave us a clear path to working toward the typical ISV Partner relationship. You also get some technical support incidents, which are handy when/if you need to escalate an issue you're running into.
The requirements for Empower were/are pretty straightforward... basically commit to releasing a commercial software product based on the current Microsoft stack within two years.
Hope that helps... I look forward to hearing more about how BizSpark is different - or if it's simply the next evolution of Empower.
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