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• Computer software company Microsoft is giving a range of its products and technologies for free to startup companies that qualify via the "BizSpark" program. The declared goal of BizSpark is to encourage emerging software startups and unite them into one global network. Microsoft offers the software as a giveaway for a period of three years, after which the company will start charging fees.CNET News: Microsoft offers free software for start-ups (November 5, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. The program was inaugurated on November 5, 2008ZDNet: Microsoft offers startups... (November 5, 2008)
  2. Free software includes: Visual Studio tools, Windows, SQL Server and moreZDNet: Microsoft offers startups... (November 5, 2008)
  3. Qualifications include: less than $1 million in annual revenue, under three years of operation and a recommendation from a non-profit Microsoft partnerZDNet: Microsoft offers startups... (November 5, 2008)
  4. The program includes technical supportZDNet: Microsoft offers startups... (November 5, 2008)
  5. More than 80 countries are eligible for participationZDNet: Microsoft offers startups... (November 5, 2008)

• A Business Move

  Some industry experts interpret BizSpark as a "brilliant" business move that will ensure more profit for Microsoft in the long run. TechCrunch's Michael Arrington said that in the three year period of free use, participating startups will train their employees to work with the Microsoft platform, essentially rendering the people and the products dependent on the granting company. After the three year term expires, these new companies will have no choice but to pay the fees in order to remain operational. The program will allow Microsoft to better compete with open source software and such Internet dominating firms as Google.TechCrunch: Microsoft BizSpark Embraces Startups... (November 5, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Microsoft Windows Vista | Microsoft Office | Windows Mobile | Windows PC | Google | Open Source | Microsoft

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