Program Guide

for Startups
Disclaimer
This user guide is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT
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2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Microsoft and BizSpark are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS

Contents
What is BizSpark? .................................................................................................................................. 1
Program Overview
Program Structure and Roles
BizSpark Startups .................................................................................................................................. 3
Why should I join BizSpark as a Startup?
Startup Eligibility
Responsibilities
How do I join as a Startup?
How long can I participate in BizSpark?
What is the Renewal Process?
How do I end my participation as a Startup?
What happens after three years of participation in BizSpark?
How do I pay my USD$100 program offering fee?
Benefits of working with a Network Partner ........................................................................................... 7
Benefits of working with a Hosting Partner ............................................................................................ 7
Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Notices to Microsoft
Additional Resources
Appendix A BizSpark Technology Offering and Support Resources ................................................. 9
Appendix B Production and Hosting Scenarios ................................................................................ 12


This Program Guide will be updated with program changes and important information.
Visit the Microsoft BizSpark website at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark often to stay up to
date.
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 1

What is BizSpark?
Program Overview
BizSpark is an innovative new program designed to unite Startups and resources to support them into a
single community. BizSpark is uniquely designed to help Startups engaged in software development, by:
providing them with "express access" to Microsoft tools and technologies, for their immediate
use in design, development, testing, demonstration, and hosted application production and
deployment;
connecting them with Network Partners and a united, global community of support resources;
and
offering them global visibility on the MicrosoftStartupZone website via the BizSparkDB, an
online Startup directory, hosted on the MicrosoftStartupZone website.
Program Structure and Roles
1. Structure:
Basically, BizSpark is a sponsor-based program, with three levels of relationships:
1) Champs work with and manage Network Partners.
2) Network Partners sponsor and manage eligible Startups' participation in the Program.
3) Hosting Partners offer hosting services to Startups for "software as a service"
applications developed by them.

Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 2

2. Program Roles:
Champ: A person who acts as liaison between Microsoft and Network Partners. Champs
are responsible contacting Network Partners, approving Network Partner enrollments,
and managing the Network Partners during their participation in BizSpark.
Network Partner: An active member of the local software ecosystem engaged with high-
potential, early stage Startups. Network Partners may be organizations specifically
focused on supporting entrepreneurs and Startup businesses, or whose activities include
a focus on promoting and supporting software Startups, through programs, mentoring,
networking, business advice, financial assistance or similar activities.
Startup: A technology Startup actively engaged in development of a software-based
product or service that will form a core piece of its current or intended business.
Hosting Partner: A designated Network Partner who offers hosting services for "software
as a service" solutions developed by BizSpark Startups.
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 3

BizSpark Startups
Why should I join BizSpark as a Startup?
1. The Microsoft BizSpark program is based on the belief that startup success is our success.
Microsoft is committed to help technology startups realize their goals on their own terms and
in the shortest amount of time. Through BizSpark, Microsoft's goals are to:
Help young and innovative software companies gain valuable experience and expertise
in Microsoft technologies, with no upfront costs, so they can get the technologies they
need when they can least afford them.
Help startups establish connections with local and global startup ecosystems - VCs,
angels, incubators, entrepreneur associations, etc. - that are equally involved and
invested in software-fueled innovation and entrepreneurship.
Stimulate vibrant local software ecosystems and promote innovation and interoperability.
Work with technology startups as part of the Microsoft BizSpark Network to ensure that
we support the broadest possible startup audience in a way that compliments the values
of the startups and the network organizations that support them.
2. Microsoft BizSpark offers Startups the opportunity to:
Get Software: Receive fast and easy access to Microsoft's current full-featured
development tools, platform technologies, and production/hosting licenses for immediate
use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions. There is
no upfront cost to enroll in Microsoft BizSpark.
Get Support: Get professional support from Microsoft and get connected to BizSpark
Network Partners around the world who provide a wide range of support resources for
software startups. Network Partners are incubators, investors, advisors, government
agencies and hosters who are vested in software-fueled innovation and
entrepreneurship.
Get Visibility: Startups have the opportunity to achieve global visibility to an audience of
potential investors, clients, and partners by profiling their company in the online Startup
directory, BizSparkDB, on the Microsoft Startup Zone Website. Startups also have the
opportunity to be highlighted on the BizSparkDB as a featured company and be promoted
as BizSpark Company of the Week on the Microsoft Startup Zone Website.
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 4

Startup Eligibility
1. Startup Eligibility Requirements:
An eligible startup must have the following characteristics at the time of joining:
Actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that will form a
core piece of its current or intended business
1
,
Privately held,
In business for less than 3 years
2
, and
Less than US $1 million in annual revenue
3
.
To be eligible to use the software for production and deployment of hosted solutions, startups
must also be developing a new "software as a service" solution (on any platform) to be
delivered over the Internet.
2. Term: Startups can participate in BizSpark for up to 3 years. On the first and second
anniversary of initial enrollment, they must update their enrollment (e.g., confirm they haven't
gone public and their ownership hasn't changed).
3. Fee: A USD $100 program offering fee is due when the Startup exits the Program. As part of
Microsoft's commitment to Startup success, there are no initial costs for Startups to join
BizSpark.
4. Special Offers: BizSpark Startups may also be eligible for additional products or services
offerings (from Microsoft or others) from time to time during their tenure in the Program.
Startups enrolled in BizSpark will be notified of special offers when they become available as
well as the terms and enrollment process to take advantage of them. Special Offers are not
part of the BizSpark program benefits and Startup's participation in Special Offers will be
governed by the separate terms and conditions for each Special Offer (including licenses,
and fees if any)
5. Technology offering: The BizSpark technology offering to Startups currently includes:
For development, testing and demonstration:
The software included in the Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with
MSDN Premium, plus VSTS Team Foundation Server (Standard Edition) - for the
entire development team
For production use that is, to deploy and host Startup's new "software as a service"
application to be delivered over the Internet to Startup's customers:
Windows Server; SQL Server, BizTalk Server, and Office SharePoint Server for
Internet Sites hosting, and
Systems Center for managing hosting server operations.

1
Startups cannot be in the business of providing services to others such as hosting, web agency, system integration or outsourced
development.
2
Startups who are actively engaged in software development but have not yet completed the formalities of establishing a business
are also eligible for entry into BizSpark.
3
This requirement has been adjusted to add local variances calibrated to local economic conditions in the startups place of
business, below. If a Startups place of business is not listed below, then the revenue limit is US $1 million.
USD $750,000 China
USD $500,000 Greece, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine
USD $250,000 Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
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The above information regarding software is representative and not comprehensive - see the
Startup Program Guide and Program EULA for more details. Products, versions, availability
and additional benefits are subject to change. All software is available by download only.
Because this offering is likely to be updated from time to time, Startups and Network Partners
should visit the Microsoft

BizSpark website at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark often to

check Program Guides.
For detailed information on the current BizSpark technology offering and support
resources, please see Appendix A of this Program Guide.
For detailed information on production and hosting scenarios, please see Appendix B of
this Program Guide.
Responsibilities
Startups must:
Enroll as a Startup on the BizSpark website and maintain an up-to-date profile on the
BizSpark website. For additional information on how to do these tasks, see the Startup User
Guide.
Renew its membership on an annual basis.
Agree to abide by BizSpark terms and conditions as set forth in the BizSpark Startup
Agreement , the BizSpark End User License Agreement, the Program website (including
Terms of Use, Privacy Statement and Code of Conduct), and the Startup Program Guide.
Pay a USD $100 Program Offering Fee at the end of its participation with BizSpark.
See the BizSpark Startup Agreement for more details regarding Startup responsibilities.
How do I join as a Startup?
The BizSpark Startup enrollment process:
The Startup must be associated with a Network Partner before joining. If a Startup is not
associated with a participating BizSpark Network Partner, the Startup can select a Network
Partner from the "Find a Network Partner" tool on the BizSpark Website. The contact
information for the Network Partner will be provided to the Startup and the Startup can
contact the Network Partner directly. If the Startup is not able to locate a Network Partner in
its region, the Startup can contact a Microsoft representative via the BizSpark website to ask
for assistance.
Once a Startup is associated with a Network Partner and the Network Partner provides
Startup with an enrollment code, Startup visits the BizSpark website to join. The Startup's
Primary Contact will sign in with a Windows Live ID, read and accept the BizSpark Startup
Agreement and the End User License Agreement. After entering the enrollment code
provided by the Network Partner, the Primary Contact will provide basic contact information
about the Startup. For more information on the enrollment process please see the BizSpark
Program User Guide.
Once the enrollment process is complete, the Startup's Primary Contact will receive a
"Welcome to the Microsoft BizSpark Program" email that includes their unique Subscription
ID required to activate their benefits and download the software (delivered via the MSDN
infrastructure).
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How long can I participate in BizSpark?
For three years (renewed annually), unless the Startup goes public, is acquired by a company which does
not qualify for BizSpark, or fails to abide by BizSpark's terms and conditions in the Program Materials.
See the BizSpark Startup Agreement for other situations where your participation in the Program could
end.
What is the Renewal Process?
Each Startup must renew their participation in BizSpark within 90 days of their first and second year
anniversary after enrollment. The Startup's Primary Contact will receive a reminder email from BizSpark
when it is time to renew. Renewal is fast and easy the Startup Primary Contact simply logs in, clicks the
renewal button, and confirms that their eligibility has not changed. If the Startup chooses not to renew, the
Startup can contact customer support and ask to be removed from the BizSpark Program.
How do I end my participation as a Startup?
You may end your participation in BizSpark as a Startup at any time. To do so, contact Microsoft.
What happens after three years of participation in BizSpark?
Generally, a Startup's participation in BizSpark will end after 3 years or earlier if it terminates its
membership or if they're no longer eligible (e.g., go public or are acquired).
At the end of their program participation:
Startups will continue to enjoy the use rights of the BizSpark Program technology offer to
develop, test and demonstrate as long as all members of the Startup comply with the End
User License Agreement.
Startups will no longer have use rights to the BizSpark Program technology offer for
production and hosting. However, at the conclusion of their participation in BizSpark, Startups
will have had the benefit of the BizSpark experience, better equipped to determine the
production and hosting technology that best fits their business needs.
Startups might choose to take advantage of a Microsoft program like the Service Provider
License Agreement (SPLA) (or other Microsoft licensing programs that may be available at
the time), but are in no way obligated to do so.
Startups should manage their agreements with their customers to anticipate the end of their
production and hosting rights under the BizSpark Program.
Startups will be responsible to pay a USD$100 Program Offering Fee.
How do I pay my USD$100 program offering fee?
An invoice for the USD$100 Program Offering Fee will be sent to the Startup's Primary Contact after the
Startup exits BizSpark. For more payment information, contact Microsoft.
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Benefits of working with a Network Partner
BizSpark is designed to unite a global community of peers, technical resources and entrepreneurial
mentors who can effectively address the unique business development challenges that Startups face.
BizSpark directly connects Startups with a community of economic and entrepreneurial development
organizations, or Network Partners, who fully understand the startup environment and what it takes to go
big quickly. These top-notch advisors specialize in promoting and supporting Startups provide through
programs, business mentoring, networking, financial assistance, peer connections, and other resources
that drive Startup success
Benefits of working with a Hosting Partner
Hosting Partners are designated Network Partners who can provide hosting services for "software as a
service" solutions developed by BizSpark Startups. Generally, Hosting Partners are members of the SaaS
("Software as a Service") Incubation Center Program, which is subject to its own terms and conditions
(including, but not limited to, a one-time $10,000 fee for SaaS Business training and ongoing delivery of
1-day SaaS workshops).
Startups that intend to deploy a product on the Internet within 12 months of enrollment are encouraged to
engage a Hosting Partner to assist them in hosting their application on the internet. Hosting Partners can
offer a wide range of unmanaged to fully managed solutions.
If the Startup is still in product development, it may be most cost-effective to engage a Hosting Partner
who offers inexpensive, unmanaged server accounts that allows a Startup to deploy one or more small
servers they can configure and manage themselves.
If the Startup's application is headed toward production, the Startup should consider a full-service hosting
partnership. A full-service partner will work with the Startup to deploy and run securely at scale, and will
give the Startup a performance "service level agreement" for their application (after all it's the
application that Startup's customer is using, not the server!). Many Hosting Partners specialize in helping
Startups take their application(s) to the next step of "Software as a Service" readiness, incorporating
automated user provisioning, automated usage metering and even automated billing services if the
Startup needs them.
A Hosting Partner may operate in specific geographies, and may have special qualifications such as
enhanced security certifications. It is important for the Startup to choose a hosting partner that meets their
specific needs. To learn more about hosters and selecting hosters in detail please see Selecting a
Hosting Partner for Your Software plus Services Application.
To find a Hosting Partner in your geography please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark.
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 8

Miscellaneous
Notices to Microsoft
All Startups:
Send written notices under your BizSpark Network Partner Agreement to Microsoft at:
Julien Codorniou
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
Email: bzssup@microsoft.com
Additional Resources
Interested in joining as a Startup? www.microsoft.com/bizspark.
For support issues contact: BizSpark Customer Support.
For more information about Startup resources: Visit http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com.
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 9

Appendix A BizSpark Technology Offering and Support Resources
Design Tools
(Licenses are for development, test, and demonstration only)
Microsoft Expression Studio
with MSDN Premium
Subscription
One (1) Expression Studio v2 with MSDN Premium Subscription
Development, Test, & Demonstration
(Licenses are for development, test, and demonstration only)
Visual Studio Professional with
MSDN Premium Subscription
Visual Studio Team System 2008:
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Team Suite
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Development Edition
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Architecture Edition
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Test Edition
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Database Edition
Visual Studio Team System 2008: Team Foundation Server Standard Edition
Visual Studio 2008 Professional
Visual Studio Team System 2005:
Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite
Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Developers
Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Architects
Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Testers
Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals
Visual Studio 2005 Professional
Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Microsoft Office System
Visual SourceSafe 2005
Previous versions of Visual Studio
Visual Studio .NET, Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual C++, Visual J#, Visual
FoxPro
Microsoft Server Software with
MSDN Premium Subscription
SQL Server, all versions
Application Platform Servers
BizTalk Server, Commerce Server, Host Integration Server, Connected Services
Framework, Customer Care Framework
Business Productivity Servers
Content Management Server, Exchange Server, Office Live Communications
Server, Office Forms Server, Office Groove Server, Office PerformancePoint
Server, Speech Server, SharePoint Server, Windows SharePoint Services
IT Operations Servers
Identity Integration Server, Microsoft System Center, Microsoft Operations
Manager, Microsoft System Center Capacity Planner, Microsoft System Center
Data Protection Manager, Systems Management Server, Internet Security and
Acceleration (ISA) Server
Microsoft Dynamics with MSDN
Premium Subscription
Dynamics AX, GP, NAV, SL, Microsoft Forecaster & Microsoft FRx
Dynamics CRM, Point of Sale, Microsoft Small Business Accounting & Financials
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 10

Microsoft Windows with MSDN
Premium Subscription
Windows Vista
Ultimate/Enterprise/Business/Home Premium/Home Basic
Windows XP
Professional/Home/Media Center Edition/Tablet PC Edition
Windows Server 2008 (all versions)
Windows Server 2003 R2
Windows Compute Cluster
Windows SharePoint Services
Microsoft Office System 2007
with MSDN Premium
Subscription
Office Ultimate/Enterprise/Professional Plus/Professional 2007
Office Word, Office Excel, Office PowerPoint, Office Outlook & Business Contact
Manager, Office Access
Office Publisher, Office InfoPath, Office OneNote, Office Communicator, Office
Groove, Office SharePoint Designer, Office Visio Professional, Office Project
Standard
Office Accounting, Office Business Scorecard Manager, MapPoint, Office
FrontPage
Office Project Professional
Office Project Server, Office Project Portfolio Server
Other Microsoft Tools, SDKs,
DDKs with MSDN Premium
Subscription
Access Developer Extensions
Virtual PC, Virtual Server
.NET Framework, .NET Compact Framework, .NET Micro Framework
Windows SDK, Platform SDK, DirectX SDK
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.0, Application Compatibility Tool Kit 5.0
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), Windows Installer
Windows Driver Kit (WDK), Windows Hardware Compatibility Test
Visual Studio 2005 Extensions for .NET Framework 3.0
Production and Hosting
(For production and deployment of Startups new software a service offer to be delivered to customers over the Internet.
See Appendix B below for business scenarios with the Production and Hosting rights.)
Hosting Servers SQL Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Workgroup Editions
SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
Windows Web Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 Standard and Enterprise
Windows Server 2008 Standard and Enterprise without Hyper-V
Biz Talk Server 2006 R2 Branch, Standard and Enterprise Editions
Office SharePoint Server 2007 for Internet Sites
IT Operations Servers System Center Configuration Manager 2007 with SQL Server 2005 Technology
System Center Data Protection Manager 2007
System Center Operations Manager 2007 with SQL Server Technology

Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 11

Support Resources
Program and Product Support
(Microsoft support professionals
will respond to your questions
within business hours.)
Two technical support incidents, covering assistance with technical break-fix
issues
Benefit limited to the Startup Primary Contact person
Connect to http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/aa948875.aspx for regional
support contact information and governing terms and conditions.
Unlimited program support for non-technical issues
Connect to http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/aa948875.aspx for regional
support contact information.

The BizSpark technology offering is exclusive to BizSpark Startups and their individual members
who have accepted the BizSpark End User License Agreement. The BizSpark technologies must not
be transferred to a third party.

The information is representative and not comprehensive. Products, versions, availability and additional
benefits are subject to change. Because this offering is likely to be updated from time to time, Startups
and Network Partners should visit the Microsoft

BizSpark website at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark

often to check Program Guides, Production and Hosting Scenarios
Bi zSpar k PROGRAM GUI DE FOR STARTUPS PAGE 12

Appendix B Production and Hosting Scenarios
Startups can use BizSpark Hosting and IT operations servers for production use: that is, to host and
manage their software as a service application that is accessed over the Internet by their customers.
Startups can self-host, or contract with a BizSpark Hosting Partner.
BizSpark hosting servers include Windows Server, SQL Server, BizTalk Server, and Office SharePoint
Server for Internet Sites products. BizSpark IT operations servers include System Center server
products.)
Startups may use BizSpark IT Hosting Servers to deploy a software application that the startup developed
and that is accessed by its customers over the Internet. They can use BizSpark IT Operations Servers to
manage the application and the servers it runs on.
Examples of applications like this include, but arent limited to:
A line of business application, such as a CRM application, which the startups customers
use to manage their own customer relationships.
An online auction site.
Startups business is logistics (e.g. package delivery).
A social networking site.
The key points here are:
The Startup developed the application or service itself, and hosts it (either self-hosted or via a
hoster), and
The customers access the application or service over the internet
The BizSpark servers cannot be used where they dont support an application the Startup developed. In
other words, the BizSpark licenses dont apply when the Startup
Offers the servers simply as a hosted platform(e.g. a SQL Server database)
Uses the servers as a platform for another companys application, such as a CRM
application from a third party
Please refer to the BizSpark Startup Agreement and BizSpark End User License Agreement (both posted
on the BizSpark website) for definitive use terms.