There was a time, maybe in the late nineties, when quite a number of people took a dislike to Microsoft. It was all small innovators and micro-businesses against the giant techie monolith. Something about an alleged monopoly on the software market and IP issues we think. Bill Gates’ philanthropy failed to calm anybody down.
Somehow or other, free and easy open source software like Linux became the choice of the thinking small business. Even now many small business owners seem to like the fuzzy glow that using open source gives them. And well, it is the cheap option.
But it might be time to give Mr. Gates another chance. The boys at Microsoft have, in our opinion, a great deal going: and much to our pleasure, they have their eye on start-up businesses.
A new initiative, designed to give thousands of start-up technology companies access to low cost software, was launched by Microsoft on Tuesday. Following on from other Microsoft initiatives like DreamSpark, which works with university students, and the Accelorator Program, which works with emerging businesses, BizSpark is aimed at start-up companies looking for a helping hand.
As well as offering the use of Microsoft platform technology, including development tools and production licenses of server products, there are many other perks to the scheme. Qualifying start-ups -- companies that have been operating for under three years and with a turnover of under $1m (£600,000) -- will gain technical support as well as market visibility by participating in the initiative.
Sounds like a good deal but we think you’ll be the best judge of that. If you decide to sign up let us know what you think in the box below.
For more info, go to: MicrosoftStartupZone.com and www.Microsoft.com/BizSpark
