BizSpark

Program Overview

BizSpark is an innovative new program designed to unite Startups and resources to support them into a single community.

BizSpark is uniquely designed to help Startups engaged in software development, by

• Providing them with "express access" to Microsoft tools and technologies, for their immediate use in design, development, testing, demonstration, and hosted application production and deployment;
• Connecting them with Network Partners and a united, global community of support resources;
• Offering them global visibility on the MicrosoftStartupZone website via the BizSparkDB, an online Startup directory, hosted on the MicrosoftStartupZone website.

Program Structure and Roles

Structure: Basically, BizSpark is a sponsor-based program, with three levels of relationships:

• Champs work with and manage Network Partners.
• Network Partners sponsor and manage eligible Startups' participation in the Program.
• Hosting Partners offer hosting services to Startups for "software as a service" applications developed by them.

Startup Eligibility

• Actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that will form a core piece of its current or intended business1,
• Privately held,
• In business for less than 3 years2, and
• Less than US $1 million in annual revenue.

To be eligible to use the software for production and deployment of hosted solutions, startups must also be developing a new "software as a service" solution (on any platform) to be delivered over the Internet.

Term: Startups can participate in BizSpark for up to 3 years. On the first and second anniversary of initial enrollment, they must update their enrollment (e.g., confirm they haven't gone public and their ownership hasn't changed).

Fee: A USD $100 program offering fee is due when the Startup exits the Program. As part of Microsoft's commitment to Startup success, there are no initial costs for Startups to join BizSpark.

Technology offering: The software included in the Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN Premium, plus VSTS Team Foundation Server (Standard Edition) - for the entire development team, Windows Server; SQL Server, BizTalk Server, and Office SharePoint Server for Internet Sites hosting, and – Systems Center for managing hosting server operations