Adoption of Microsoft BizSpark has grown constantly since the program was introduced in 2008. Startups world wide have jumped at the chance of being able to leverage Microsoft software for free via BizSpark, and the number of companies that embraced the program has exploded by no less than 3,000 in just the last month. In mid-May 2009, Dan’l Lewin, corporate vice president, Strategic and Emerging Business, Microsoft, revealed that there were in excess of 12,000 companies worldwide having already embraced BizSpark. This number has since grown.

“Eight months ago, Microsoft announced the availability of Microsoft BizSpark, a program that helps early-stage startups succeed by providing Microsoft software, support and visibility at no upfront cost. Today, I am pleased to announce that more than 15,000 Startups have joined BizSpark to date,” stated S. Somasegar, Senior Vice President, Developer Division.

Through BizSpark, the Redmond-based company is offering startups not only free software, but also support and visibility. Various software products, including development tools, platform technologies, server solutions with production licenses are available with no upfront cost at all.

“Participating companies receive full-featured Microsoft platforms and development tools, such as Windows Server, SQL Server, Visual Studio and Expression Studio. Available in 99 countries, BizSpark does not require exclusivity, and many open source ISVs are leveraging BizSpark to test the interoperability of their applications or increase the number of client platforms they can reach,” Somasegar added.

In Microsoft's perspective, BizSpark is designed to lend a helping hand to startups, by streamlining the availability of critical resources accelerate early on in order to drive success. “The 15,000 participating companies innovate in areas such as social networking, software services, healthcare, education, mobility, entertainment, and finance. These startups are successfully building on the Windows platform and include names such as: ZocDoc, Tweba, SquareClock, Eduify, StackOverflow, Sobees, MixedInKey, Develomatic,” Somasegar said.