Starting a Company? We (and Microsoft BizSpark) can help

Yesterday Microsoft formally launched BizSpark, a new program that is designed to help increase the chances of success for startups in the software business.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Michigan business community. We’ve come to realize that we need a rich ecosystem of entrepreneurialism  to diversify our economy, and improve the overall business climate. The obvious risk is that a majority of startups fail. In fact, a vast majority of startups fail.

That’s where Microsoft BizSpark comes in.  Microsoft BizSpark connects startups with the resources they need to succeed: software, knowledge, and timely publicity.

I’m quite happy that we are network partners in this program. We were chosen because of our track record of success building software. We’ve built software that drove the success of startups in our area, and software that brought 10s of millions of dollars to large enterprises’ bottom line. Our commitment to Microsoft BizSpark is to help other new companies succeed with their software (or software as a service) business endeavors. We’ve been successful in the software field, and we want to help the next generation of businesses succeed as we have.

The obvious tangible benefit is that Microsoft provides free licenses for many of its developer tools and server platforms. But that’s not the key benefit. 

The most important benefit is intangible. Startups get access to network partners, who provide their expertise to your business. Having that expertise along the journey will increase your chance of success. Our role as a network partner is to work with startups and increase their chance of success.

This program is already generating some national press coverage. This article on Information Week discusses the program.  In this video, Dan’l Lewis, who heads Microsoft’s Emerging Business Team, discusses the program and who it’s designed to help.

Finally, if you’re thinking about creating a startup in our area, go to the Micorosoft BizSpark page and sign up.  We’re registered as a Network Partner, so you can work with us to go through that process. Understand it’s not simply about free software. If we work with you as a network partner, we must be committed to working together to ensure your success. We’re proud of our track record, and we want to work with startups that want to succeed as businesses.

If you’re not sure yet, keep an eye out for local and regional events. We (along with other Network Partners) will be presenting more details about the program, its benefits, and its purpose.