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Spark Programs: BizSpark versus WebsiteSpark

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Thanks to everyone who came along to our BizSpark Camp event last week at the Radisson.  The feedback from the sessions and the PitchSlam event was fantastic, so we really appreciate everyone’s support!

After the event, I received an absolute *flood* of BizSpark applications from new companies, which is great.  However after going through the applications, many of them were ineligible or better suited for WebsiteSpark.  So I wanted to do a quick comparison of the two, as it seems it’s not incredibly clear which program is right for certain companies.

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Audience

Eligibility

Benefits

Period

Fee

Comments
             

BizSpark

Startup Product Companies (ie not services companies doing works for hire)

· Building a software product which multiple customers will use.

· Private (non-listed)

· Less than three years old

· Less than $1M in revenue (there are a small number of local variants of this limit)

Tools and production licenses.

· For Tools, the offer is very similar to MSDN Premium, for up to 25 developers (more on request)

· Production licenses allow unlimited use of Windows, SQL, Systems Center and BizTalk servers to put the application into production

2 phone support  incidents per company

Discounted hosting services from hosting partners

3 years

$100 at exit

The offer can be made directly via Microsoft employees or by approximately 1,700 “Network Partners”. Network Partners are organizations who work closely with startups, and includes government agencies, incubators, banks, VCs, Angel organizations, etc.

WebsiteSpark

Website developers and designers – companies building websites

10 employees or less.  In the business of building websites.

Tools (expression, Vs Pro) and production licenses of SQL Web and WS Web 2008. Up to 3 developers per company.

2 phone support  incidents per company

Discounted hosting services from hosting partners

3 years

$100 at exit

Network partners are: Hosters (mainly) and government agencies, Web Pro and designer associations, etc..
             

For more information on BizSpark (and to sign up as either a startup or network partner), please go to http://bizspark.ie

For more information on WebsiteSpark (and to sign up as either a startup or network partner), please go to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/default.aspx

Cross posted from Martha's Blog.