Microsoft to Provide Startups with $120,000/Year of Free Azure Cloud Credits

Microsoft BizSpark is a program created to connect start-up developers and founders with entrepreneurial and technology resources. It gives start-ups access to Microsoft software development tools and training, connects them with key industry players, including potential customers and investors, and provides marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs with their early stage tech business.

Since the launch of the program in 2008 around 1000 Swiss start-ups were supported by BizSpark and every year several Swiss start-ups are selected for the elite programme BizSpark Plus. A good example for a start-up that benefitted from the programme is zkpister. The start-up zkipster founded in 2009 by David Becker and Daniel Dessauges designs cloud-based guest list management software for event planning and public relations professionals. The event app, which is available for iPads, Android and Windows tablets, offers add-ons for social media tracking, dynamic seating charts and name badge printing. Microsoft has published an extensive “Customer Story” about zkipster and how the Swiss start-up uses Microsoft technology.

Last week Microsoft announced an important update in the BizSpark Plus program. Starting on July 1^st, the company will be offering $120,000/year of free Azure cloud services instead of $60,000 as before.

More information about BizSpark can be found in a blogpost and on a special Swiss website for the Bizspark program, available in German and French.