Microsoft BizSpark, free software and cloud hosting credits (Views: 3243)
Fri, 07 Mar 2014
It’s almost time to kick off! On April 9th, the Funding Roadshow (FRS) officially gets underway in Toronto. Not only has Toronto established itself as Canada’s financial centre, it is also a prominent hub for industries such as telecommunications, tourism, real estate and technology. Thanks to our hosting partner, Microsoft BizSpark, we’ll be bringing together this city’s incredible talent on both the entrepreneur and investor sides.
Active in over 100 countries, BizSpark is a free program that allows tech startups to access thousands of dollars' worth of free Microsoft software. It also provides startups with $150 a month for three years in Windows Azure credits good for hosting servers (Windows & Linux), websites/web apps with support for .NET, PHP, Node.js & Python, and much more. When it comes time to scaling rapidly, startups can get nominated for $60,000 in Windows Azure hosting credits.
Besides being a software or app-based business, participants must be less than five years old and making less than $1M in annual revenues in order to qualify for BizSpark. For three years, BizSpark participants benefit from its three-pronged approach: software, support and visibility.
Software
With access to over 900 Microsoft software and tools, licensing costs are dramatically reduced for start-ups, if not removed altogether. Among the core offerings are development platforms for all devices, the Azure cloud computing platform, Visual Studio and SQL Server.
Support
Startups enter the BizSpark ecosystem, which includes over 50,000 startups and partners. They will have access to other startups as well as investors and advisors that can serve as invaluable mentors.
Visibility
Once the software or app nears completion, startups can leverage their access to Windows Store, Windows Phone, the BizSpark site and the Featured BizSpark Startup series in order to promote and distribute their product.
Marc Gagné, Startup Lead for Microsoft Canada, says that BizSpark is working with Fundica “because we recognize the importance of supporting the startup community, and that’s exactly what the FRS is doing.” More specifically, he believes the FRS breaks down the “stigma that there is no money or VC presence in Canada, and that getting in front of an investor is nearly impossible, which is simply not true.” Gagné claims, on the contrary, that “Canada is host to a large talent pool of highly educated and motivated people. Recent successes like that of Shopify have shown you can build successful tech startups right here in Canada.”
As to the trends he sees Canadian startups adopting in 2014, Gagné draws on his experience at MarRS DD, Notman House, FounderFuel & Launch Academy to come up with the following list: the Internet of Things, healthcare, casual gaming and, of course, mobile apps across various verticals. “There are many amazing programs like BizSpark and FRS, as well as countless startup hubs and incubators. There are more networking opportunities than entrepreneurs can possibly attend, but it’s important to continually leverage them to obtain the advice, feedback, insight and support that you need to grow and succeed.”
Make sure to connect with BizSpark as well as other partners, investors, and entrepreneurs while the Funding Roadshow is in town! For more information on tickets, participants, and Fundica, please visit www.fundingroadshow.com.
For inquiries related to this post, please reach out to Mani Alaei.
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