Microsoft Cuts your Startup’s Costs with Azure

Ever since it’s launch a year ago, Microsoft BizSpark has been doing very well at helping startups become successful. They have been focused on helping startups accelerate their software development process and provided access to business resources and mentorship. They have accomplished this by not only providing the technical resources necessary for success, but by also facilitating access to the right partnerships, marketing channels, coaching, and leadership.

Up until now, BizSpark has taken a broad approach, creating a network of more than 25,000 startups in over 100 countries.

This spectrum of partners includes entrepreneur support organizations such as the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), European Business Angel Network (EBAN) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE). It also includes financial institutions such as HSBC, law firms, consultants, outsourcing organizations, and hosting companies such as Rackspace, GoGrid, GoDaddy and PEER 1.

Taking things a step further, Microsoft has launched BizSpark One.

“The idea behind BizSpark One is to cast a finer net using Silicon Valley best practices, and then lift the net up to find the startups that are most likely to succeed in the market and shape the industry’s future,” says Lewin. “Following the filtering process, our local subsidiaries in 10 countries will partner with the corporate team to help these startups to become the ‘ones to watch’ within the BizSpark program.”

Most interesting about BizSpark’s recent changes is the software that makes it all possible, Azure. Azure is a complete and scalable Microsoft cloud computing platform. It allows startups to develop their applications with minimal up front investment, taking care of their hosting, equipment, labor, and expansion costs to name a few. It features automatic on-demand resource allocation. BizSpark partners will receive 750 free compute hours per month for eight months.

This is a very exciting announcement, lowering the bar for developers to create innovative projects on a stable and scalable platform. Microsoft is definitely thinking outside the box this time, cutting out most of the busy work and uncertainty involved in a startup. If you’re already a BizSpark partner, feel free to tell us about your experience. If not and you’re startup needs a boost, it might be just what you need. Not sure what Azure can really do? Check out Seesmic.