Microsoft aids Singapore startups with free software

21.11.2008
Software giant Microsoft has announced plans to give Singapore technology start-ups a boost, with the launch of a new programme named BizSpark.

The BizSpark initiative, which lists various government agencies, venture capitalists, incubators and web-hosters as partners, will see Microsoft providing a host of its development software for free, over a three-year period, to approved technology start-ups that focus on software-based products or services.

Software which Microsoft will provide for the start-ups includes: Expression Studio, Visual Studio Team Systems, MS Developer Network, Team Foundation Server, Windows Server, SQL Server, SharePoint Portal Server, Systems Center, BizTalk Server, Live Services, Live Workspace and the yet to be released Windows Azure Services platform. Windows Azure is a cloud-based operating system currently being developed by Microsoft.

Requirements

Start-ups seeking admission to the programme need to be private companies with less than US$1 million (S$1.53 million) in annual revenue, that have been operating for less than three years.

These companies will have to re-enroll annually in the programme during its three-year duration. Registration and re-enrolment is free, but companies who drop out will be subject to a US$100 (S$153) fee.