Microsoft has come out with a new offering of free software including the Windows server platform and the yet-to-be released Azure Cloud operating system. With the BizSpark program, the Redmond company is aiming to provide startups with a stable and free platform composed of various of its software products in order to help catalyze success. Microsoft indicated that offering young companies software products for free through BizSpark is synonymous with a breath of fresh air during difficult economic times.

“BizSpark is a global program designed to help accelerate the success of entrepreneurs and early stage startups. It provides fast, easy access to full-featured Microsoft development tools and server products. It was developed with the life cycle of the startup in mind so there are no upfront costs and minimal eligibility requirements. Based on our research and feedback from the startup community, we think it provides a very compelling opportunity to help get startups off the ground,” revealed Dan’l Lewin, corporate vice president for Strategic and Emerging Business Development at Microsoft.

The Redmond giant is delivering a consistent collection of solutions to startups which will become a part of BizSpark. Participants, who need to enroll through a Network Partner, will be able to benefit from a MSDN Premium subscription for Visual Studio Team System Team Suite, but not only. As an integral part of BizSpark, Microsoft will also ensure that startups will have access to Expression Studio Version 2; VSTS Team Foundation Server (standard edition) and the Azure Cloud platform. In addition, BizSpark members will be able to host a software-as-a-service (SaaS) built under BizSpark over the Internet for the following solutions: Windows Server; SQL Server; Office SharePoint Portal Server; Microsoft System Center; Microsoft BizTalk Server; and Dynamics CRM.

“After exiting the program, startups will keep the perpetual licenses for all the development and design tools. To continue to receive updates to the tools and the development platform, the startup can renew its MSDN subscription. To continue to use the production licenses, startups may choose to take advantage of a licensing program such as Microsoft’s Services Provider License Agreement program (or other Microsoft licensing programs that may be available at the time), but are in no way obliged to do so,” Lewin added.