06 Nov 2008

Microsoft offers free cloud software for start-ups

New businesses are being offered a free cloud platform for three years by Microsoft.

The programme gives start-ups free access to software, technical support and Microsoft's marketing machine for a three-year period in an effort to help cash-strapped start-ups and make it easier for firms to grow using Microsoft's software and services.

Dan'l Lewin, vice president of strategic and emerging business development at Microsoft, said: "One of the key things that we've learned in the early stage life cycle of a startup is that access to our technology has been an issue."

Microsoft BizSpark will be launched worldwide, with events planned in the UK, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia, he added.

The software provides production licenses and technical support on a cost-free basis for three years, after which firms must start to pay for the service.

Nick Ganiu, chief technology officer at US-based firm ZocDoc, told ITWorld that the free software is "great" for startups, because similar software packages can be quite expensive.