Microsoft launches BizSpark to jumpstart entrepreneurship

Bangalore, Dec 17 (ANI/Business Wire India): Microsoft India today unveiled Microsoft BizSpark, a global program designed to accelerate the success of IT entrepreneurs through software support and a vibrant ecosystem in the country.

BizSpark will provide Indian startups with software, support and visibility at a time in the lifecycle when they are most valuable and least affordable - during their first three years, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.

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Microsoft BizSpark is structured to help startups take advantage of the resources and support of a global network of hundreds of organizations: economic development agencies, university incubators, hosters and investors. In India, the network partners include

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), NEN, Proto, NASSCOM; as well as venture capitalists IDG, who will facilitate access to technology and provide guidance, mentorship and resources.

In addition, VCs Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Helion Venture Partners, Accel Partners, and others, support the initiative. This is the first time that an entire ecosystem of stakeholders is coming together with Microsoft to enable a vibrant startup ecosystem in India.

BizSpark is part of the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program that the company runs in India for software entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into reality through insights, software, tools, and opportunity mapping Microsoft BizSpark is available to all startups who are actively engaged in the development of software-based product or service that is a core piece of their business model.

They need to have been in business for less than three years and should be privately held; and have less than USD1 million per capita revenue. A nominal USD 100 (INR 5000) program offering fee will be assessed when a startup exits the program, for instance after three years of participation, or due to going public or being acquired by a non-Startup company.

Commenting on the rationale behind BizSpark as well as the intended impact, Moorthy Uppaluri, General Manager - DPE, Microsoft India, said, "We do believe India is at that inflection point and if it has to move up the value chain in the global knowledge economy, then the entire ecosystem has to innovate: Innovating for India is the critical need of the hour. BizSpark is about helping startups succeed - and thereby, enabling the growth of local innovation in India."

Sheila Gulati, General Manager, Microsoft Corporation Pvt Ltd, who was here in India to launch the program, said, "The fact that the suite of software comes at no cost to the startup takes care of the cost-barrier; while working with partners like TiE, NEN, Proto, NASSCOM, IDG who have the business resources and expertise, will facilitate access to advice and exposure that is so vital for startups. All in all, we visualize BizSpark as providing budding entrepreneurs with the tools and connections they need to build successful businesses."

Microsoft BizSpark will provide a broad set of technologies that startups of any size can use to build, test and deploy their software applications, along with program and product

The range will include Design tools (Microsoft Expression Studio with MSDN Subscription); Development test and demonstration (Visual Studio Professional; Microsoft Server Software, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office System 2007); production hosting (Hosting Servers, IT Operations Servers); and support resources (both technical and non-technical).

Commenting on the program, Suren G. Dutia, CEO, TiE Global, said, "Microsoft BizSpark helps remove many of the barriers of entry to the software development tools and technologies and market resources that are critical components of launching a viable business. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs and startups take full advantage of Microsoft BizSpark to transform their ideas into sustainable, dynamic businesses." TiE is a global network partner for the program.

"Sudhir Sethi, Chairman and Managing Director of IDG Ventures said, "We are excited to be the first venture capital fund to partner with Microsoft for the BizSpark program, and expect to interact with more than 500 participants over the next few months. We look forward to providing BizSpark participants access to early stage funding, as well as business support though our strong keiretsu network".

The program, which was recently launched globally, has already signed on about 70 Indian startups. (ANI)