Microsoft’s BizSpark (@BizSpark) program offers support and services to emerging technology companies. Success stories like Huddle began on BizSpark before being put on Microsoft’s Startup Accelerator Program.
On Monday, September 28 2009, Microsoft will host the first UK BizSpark Summit at its Victoria offices in London. It promises to be an interesting event for members of the BizSpark family (and their extended network, too), with talks from “Dragon” James Caan, Moo’s Richard Moross (@richardmoross) and WAYN’s Jerome Touze (@jerometouze). There will also be a quick-fire pitching session, featuring TechCrunch Europe editor Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher), with prizes for the best pitches.
You can apply for a place at the Summit by completing the application form here. You’ll need the invitation code 7BFBB5. (Priority registration will be given to BizSpark companies, but if you’re interesting in joining, Microsoft tells us you’re welcome to attend to get to know the community before enrolling.)
Microsoft is pretty active in the tech start-up sector in Europe, with a range of events and services including EMEA Mobile Incubation Week earlier this year.
If you want to know more about the BizSpark program or about the Summit, Microsoft rep Bindi Karia (@bindik), is your point of contact.
“If you’re a young tech start-up, you need a pretty good excuse not to be enrolled in Microsoft’s BizSpark (@BizSpark) program, which offers support and services to emerging technology companies. ”
I’m not convinced about that. A great many start-ups use Linux-based technologies for their deployment platforms, and a large percentage of developers (particularly in the Rails space) use Macs. I’m not quite sure what would be the justification for joining BizSpark then.
Perhaps correct your sentence to: “If you’re a young start-up using Microsoft technologies, you need…”