TiE Global is proud to announce its partnership with Microsoft Corporation for the launch of the global startup program, Microsoft BizSpark. Microsoft BizSpark is a new program designed to accelerate the success of entrepreneurs and early stage startups by providing access to Microsoft's software and connecting them to a global network of entrepreneurial organizations such as TiE.

The BizSpark Program provides startups with software, technical support, and visibility at a time when they are most valuable and least affordable—during their first three years, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. By launching this program, Microsoft and TiE are clearly demonstrating a genuine commitment to help early stage startups succeed. Startups enrolled in this program will be able to gain these resources:

Software: There will be an opportunity to receive fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools, platform technologies, and production licenses of server products for immediate use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions. There is no upfront cost to enroll.

Support and Visibility: In addition, TiE will provide early startups with entrepreneurial support in the form of mentoring, access to information and knowledge resources and facilitating connections with pioneering entrepreneurs. Young companies who are embarking on their initial journey will be able to grow and succeed with the help and support of TiE’s rich, vibrant ecosystem of members and resources.

Availability: The program is available to the constituents of all the 53 TiE Chapters located in 12 countries.

Eligibility: Startups that are established by TiE Members and Charter Members may enroll in the program. These startups must be actively engaged in building a software based product or service (even using open source code), must be in business for less than three years and must have less than USD$1 million in annual revenue. If these criteria are met, you are eligible to participate in this program. The participation of the startups in Microsoft BizSpark will last as long as three years from the date of enrollment, unless the startups choose to exit the program early (or go public or are otherwise acquired). Renewal in the program is annual. Microsoft will assess a USD$100 program offering fee when the startup exits the program.

Enrollment:To learn more, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/Default.aspx

If you are interested in enrolling in this program, please contact Shilpa Baliga at shilpa.baliga@tie.org.

TiE and Microsoft Corporation's aim is to help young companies grow and thrive by providing business resources and expertise through TiE and tools and connections needed to build successful companies through the BizSpark program. Through this alliance with Microsoft, TiE will be able to deliver ‘tangible’ and ‘measurable’ value to its entrepreneurs. By supporting such initiatives, TiE is working towards its mission of driving a virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community.