This article will review and discuss the first 3 tools: 1. Microsoft Azure 2. Microsoft Azure App Service 3. Microsoft SQL Server (free tier) The first thing we have to think about is how much money can we save from these free software from Microsoft. I have used all of them in the past. The trick is to not let special offers fool you into using these tools without understanding your needs.
Startups have a lot on their mind – from financing to product development – and keeping an eye on the bottom line takes a lot of effort. Microsoft gets that, which is why we’re offering 30 days of free software for startups. In addition to providing you with tools that will help you manage your finances, we have a few more reasons why you should check out this offer.
Jun Kim, the young co-founder of a Korean software house, was recently approached by a representative from Amazon, who offered him a $200 credit to develop on its Web Services cloud platform.
“I was like: $200, are you serious?” he said. “Azure could be worth $100,000 if we do well.”
Kim was referring to the competing Microsoft cloud platform. His company, GIO Software, gets free use of Azure because it is a member of BizSpark, Microsoft’s program to foster startups and encourage them to use its tools to build their products.[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworld’s newsletters. ]
Budget-strapped fledgling companies traditionally spurn Microsoft products, opting instead for open-source and cheap alternatives. In 2008, the Seattle-based software giant launched its global BizSpark program, which provides its products for free to private software startups that are less than three years old and make under $1 million in revenue. The program now includes 45,000 companies worldwide.
At the DEMO Asia conference for startups in Singapore this week, Microsoft sponsored booths for a group of young Asian firms. The entrepreneurs at the event said the program was the main reason they now build on Microsoft products.
“We started with MySQL and Amazon Web Services,” said Reza Ismail, the director of Malaysia-based DappleWorks, which makes online tools for small businesses.
“It was just two of us, and we knew we needed some help,” he said.
RECOMMENDED WHITEPAPERS
- Top Ten Considerations When Choosing a Modern Single Sign-On Solutions
- Buyer’s Guide for Backup and Recovery
- Webinar: How Advanced QMS Technologies Change the Game
Like others here, Ismail said the main motivation for signing on was the free software, which includes office tools like Word as well as subscriptions to the MSDN development platform that run thousands of dollars at full cost. He said the tech support from the program had also been crucial in the early days of development.
SponsoredPost Sponsored by Google
How the Modern Cloud is Transforming Businesses
Lured by the cost-efficiencies, scalability, mobility, and flexibility it offers, organizations were steadily increasing their cloud presence even before Covid-19 hit
Ismail said he was uncomfortable with some parts of the program, such as revealing company secrets to Microsoft employees
“We’ve had to expose our architecture,” he said, adding he felt obligated to do so because of all he had received.
In Singapore, Microsoft employees actively canvas technical universities and incubators to sign up new companies to the program. About 500 local firms are currently enrolled.
“We want startups consuming and using our stuff,” said John Fernandes, director of the company’s marketing in the country.
Awhile back Microsoft had the BizSpark program that offered free Microsoft software for startups. A couple of my own startups were able to get free licenses for Microsoft software and Azure services credits to help get bootstrapped. While BizSpark is no longer around, Microsoft has a newer program called Microsoft for Startups that offers similar benefits, plus more than BizSpark ever offered!https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-2908331720107711&output=html&h=199&slotname=8431898565&adk=3022901789&adf=1638538896&pi=t.ma~as.8431898565&w=795&fwrn=4&lmt=1637780210&rafmt=11&psa=1&format=795×199&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuild5nines.com%2Fmicrosoft-for-startups-free-azure-and-other-benefits%2F&flash=0&wgl=1&adsid=ChEIgOL3jAYQp-mA97m3gsWSARI5AFnZUYi3RqHdEgVbYP0tFLGM2qkGMZth46u4NLXWSX1jnqI3j95UyWi6_dT8FXWo-OWv0zChj2Mp&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiOC4wLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCI5Ni4wLjQ2NjQuNDUiLFtdLG51bGwsbnVsbCwiNjQiXQ..&dt=1637780199466&bpp=7&bdt=12089&idt=7534&shv=r20211111&mjsv=m202111150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3De7c9f1f2c0933b5b-225c218ec1ce00bf%3AT%3D1637724366%3ART%3D1637724366%3AS%3DALNI_MYIRmmboIyC9X6KhX1NeGY82oqRfg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C286x600&nras=1&correlator=4812063733282&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1361347016.1637724343&ga_sid=1637780207&ga_hid=1740736347&ga_fc=1&rplot=4&u_tz=60&u_his=1&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=738&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&dmc=4&adx=135&ady=847&biw=1349&bih=618&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31062937%2C31063760%2C31063247&oid=2&pvsid=3967104706944387&pem=928&tmod=759565369&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C635&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1152&bc=31&ifi=2&uci=a!2&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=CGAFprjVQH&p=https%3A//build5nines.com&dtd=11312
Microsoft for Startups Benefits
The Microsoft for Startups program has a large number of benefits that are offered for any startup that participates. Plus, there are additional benefits for startups that meet certain qualifying criteria.
Here’s a list of some of the most notable benefits offered by the Microsoft for Startups program; for qualifying startups:
- up to $120k of free Azure cloud for two years
- Visual Studio Enterprise cloud subscription
- Office 365 Business Premium
- Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement and Talent
- Enterprise grage Azure support
- NDA roadmap briefings with engineers
- 1:1 consultations
- Architectural Design Sessions
- 1:few coding events
- Business enablement
- Customized 6-month Go-To-Market plan
- Dedicated marketplace onboarding support desk
- Marketplace listing optimization
- Sales enablement
- A dedicated success manager
- Bi-directional lead sharing with our sales teams
- Targeted account planning
- And much more!
This is not an official list, and these benefits may change with or without notice. Please reference the official Microsoft for Startups site for the current benefits offered to startups.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-2908331720107711&output=html&h=199&slotname=8431898565&adk=1595584165&adf=3393054673&pi=t.ma~as.8431898565&w=795&fwrn=4&lmt=1637780210&rafmt=11&psa=1&format=795×199&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuild5nines.com%2Fmicrosoft-for-startups-free-azure-and-other-benefits%2F&flash=0&wgl=1&adsid=ChEIgOL3jAYQp-mA97m3gsWSARI5AFnZUYi3RqHdEgVbYP0tFLGM2qkGMZth46u4NLXWSX1jnqI3j95UyWi6_dT8FXWo-OWv0zChj2Mp&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiOC4wLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCI5Ni4wLjQ2NjQuNDUiLFtdLG51bGwsbnVsbCwiNjQiXQ..&dt=1637780199473&bpp=3&bdt=12095&idt=7772&shv=r20211111&mjsv=m202111150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3De7c9f1f2c0933b5b-225c218ec1ce00bf%3AT%3D1637724366%3ART%3D1637724366%3AS%3DALNI_MYIRmmboIyC9X6KhX1NeGY82oqRfg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C286x600%2C795x199&nras=1&correlator=4812063733282&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1361347016.1637724343&ga_sid=1637780207&ga_hid=1740736347&ga_fc=1&rplot=4&u_tz=60&u_his=1&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=738&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&dmc=4&adx=135&ady=1945&biw=1349&bih=618&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31062937%2C31063760%2C31063247&oid=2&pvsid=3967104706944387&pem=928&tmod=759565369&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C635&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1152&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=WQwfpq8ZGR&p=https%3A//build5nines.com&dtd=11433
Microsoft for Startups Eligibility Requirements
Microsoft does have some requirements that need to be met for a “startup” to qualify for the program. Just as the old BizSpark program was targeted towards startups building products, and not consultancies, the Microsoft for Startups has the same requirement.
Here are the other qualification requirements for getting your Startup accepted in the Microsoft for Startups program:
- Offer an innovative, technical solution that supports customers in their digital transformation
- Less than five years of existence
- Less than $10M in total annual revenue
- Seed or Series A, or equivalent phase of development
- Up to $20M in funding
Microsoft has launched a new free suite for startups that offers tools and training to help new businesses get started. Microsoft’s mission is to make it easier for startups to get going faster and grow faster. The new software comes from a partnership with the online education company Pluralsight, and brings together a host of different pieces of software from Microsoft.
If you’re interested in getting your startup signed up and enrolled in the Microsoft for Startups program, then you’ll certainly want to go to the official website and apply today!
Conclusion
A fresh set of Microsoft free software for startups allows you to try out the latest versions of Microsoft software at no cost. This might be an interesting option if you are thinking about whether or not to get started with Office 365 or Azure, or maybe even Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS).