How to Get the Most out of the Microsoft BizSpark Program

Transcription

1 How to Get the Most out of the Microsoft BizSpark Program Navigating BizSpark Program and Community Resources as a Startup 1 P a g e

2 Contents What are Microsoft BizSpark Startups?... 3 Build Your Business with BizSpark Steps to Success... 3 How Do I Get Access to Software?... 3 Support... 5 How Do I Get Access to My Support Incidents?... 5 Who Can I Speak to About General Account Questions?... 6 How Do I Find Training Offerings?... 6 How Do I Learn About Local Training Offerings?... 7 How Do I Access Information on Local & Global Events?... 7 Visibility... 8 Why Should I Make Myself Visible to Startups & Other Partners? (and what does that mean?)... 8 How Can I Change My Visibility Settings?... 9 How Can I Update My Profile to Show Progress and Gain Additional Visibility Opportunities? How Can I Create and Post an Offer? How Can I Create and Post an Event? How Can I Select a Hosting Partner and Get Production Licenses? What Other Resources Can I Leverage to Gain Visibility? How Can I Notify Others That I am a BizSpark Startup? P a g e

3 What are Microsoft BizSpark Startups? Microsoft BizSpark startups are companies who are creating innovative software applications or services. Startups get the most out of BizSpark by fully leveraging the full spectrum of software, support, training, connection, and visibility resources, including access to a global network of other startups and service providers called Network Partners. Build Your Business with BizSpark 8 Steps to Success The new Build Your Business with BizSpark guides startups through 8 steps to help get the most out of the BizSpark program and community. Software How Do I Get Access to Software? Software is accessed through MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network). BizSpark provides fast and easy access to current, full-featured Microsoft development tools, platform technologies, including the Windows Azure 3 P a g e

4 platform and production/hosting licenses. BizSpark members receive access to Not-For-Resale software versions equivalent to those included in the Visual Studio Ultimate with the MSDN subscription package. Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program Select the Download Microsoft Software link located in step 1 of the Build Your Business with BizSpark section. You will be routed to the MSDN site. From the MSDN page, in the right hand menu select Access Benefits from my Account 4 P a g e

5 From here you can download software and product keys Support How Do I Get Access to My Support Incidents? The BizSpark program offers access to two support incidents per startup. These are provided via the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) program. To access these: Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program Select the Customer and Technical Support link located under step 2, you will be routed to a directory of MSDN Customer Service Centers From the directory you can locate the appropriate phone number and address for the MSDN support center in your country/region. Your MSDN subscription ID is located at the bottom left on My BizSpark 5 P a g e

6 Who Can I Speak to About General Account Questions? In addition to support through MSDN, the BizSpark Program offers self-help through our in depth list of FAQs found at: If you cannot find the information you are looking for there, try our concierge service via the [email protected] support alias. your questions directly to a live support person and get support for your specific questions. How Do I Find Training Offerings? The BizSpark Program offers access to broad set of training resources covering the most important topics around business and technology. Training is available through a variety of sources, including the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN). View all of the training available at One of the main sources for online training is available via MPN. To go here directly, visit Here you will find free online business, technical, top viewed & featured training. 6 P a g e

7 How Do I Learn About Local Training Offerings? A key local training offering the BizSpark Program offers startups is access to BizSpark Camps. These are free technical training events for developers and the startup community. Each camp is designed to meet the needs of the local area. Visit to view upcoming camps around the globe. How Do I Access Information on Local & Global Events? Through BizSpark Connect and My BizSpark you can locate events anywhere in the world. Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program 7 P a g e

8 Once logged into your profile, you can see upcoming local events in the right hand corner Either select View All from the Events box, or select BizSpark Connect from the top menu You will be routed to BizSpark Connect where you can search for events by entering key words, location information and date ranges Additionally you can visit the World Wide Events page to find information on additional events that you might be interested in Visibility Why Should I Make Myself Visible to Startups & Other Partners? (and what does that mean?) The BizSpark Program offers Network Partners and Startups the opportunity to find and list services and make connections helpful to building your startup business via the BizSpark virtual networking hub - BizSpark Connect. To be able to post your own events or offers, you must set your account profiles to either public or members only. All information that is visible is controlled by you from within your profile. The public setting means that anyone can find your company name in BizSpark Connect and can see the specific information you want to be visible. The members only setting means that only BizSpark program members who are logged in can find you and see your selected information. By setting your account profiles to either public or members only, you will be viewable to potential customers, partners, investors, and press from 8 P a g e

9 around the globe. If your profile is set to public, you could also benefit from increased exposure to your company via the BizSpark program s marketing channels. How Can I Change My Visibility Settings? The BizSpark Program offers startups access to a rich, vibrant ecosystem of peers, partners, and support resources around the globe. Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program Select Privacy Settings from either location on the My BizSpark landing page. Select the appropriate visibility level for each profile. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Update button. 9 P a g e

10 How Can I Update My Profile to Show Progress and Gain Additional Visibility Opportunities? Update your profiles regularly to maximize visibility to the right partners in each stage of the startup lifecycle. By making your profile public, your startup is now eligible for several new possibilities: o o o Eligible to be nominated as Startup Of the Day where your startup will be interviewed & featured on the front page of Microsoft.com/BizSpark Accessible to Microsoft Field Evangelists & Microsoft Product Groups who may be seeking co-marketing opportunities for a solution like the one your startup is developing Available to be communicated via BizSpark marketing channels Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program and select the appropriate profile from the left side of the page Update your profile to include information about your solution, your target customer industries, your current technology usage, links related to your startup, your investment profile and your startup s contact information. 10 P a g e

11 From the Investment Profile Tab you can also Opt In to allowing Microsoft to share your Investment Profile with Quid (formerly younoodle) who will create and update your Quid score ( increasing your searchable status. Even if you don t want to activate your investor profile for investors in the BizSpark program, completing this information will help enable Microsoft to qualify your startup for additional opportunities. Setting your profiles to Public or Members Only makes your startup visible on BizSpark Connect How Can I Create and Post an Offer? Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program and select Step 4 from Build Your Business 11 P a g e

12 Select the Create Offers button and post up to 3 offers 12 P a g e

13 How Can I Create and Post an Event? Log into using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program and select Step 4 from Build Your Business Select the Post Events button and post up to 3 offers 13 P a g e

14 How Can I Select a Hosting Partner and Get Production Licenses? If you are hosting with a provider, registering your hosting partner in BizSpark Connect enables them to leverage your free production software licenses which can reduce your total hosting costs. If you don t see your hoster listed, contact [email protected] Whether you are self-hosting or using a partner, reporting your hosted server quantities will help ensure you have access to your free production licenses. What Other Resources Can I Leverage to Gain Visibility? The BizSpark program is heavily engaged in social media and believes that through these channels unique connections can be made. You and your startup can get involved by: Following us on Twitter Letting us know about your big news Tagging BizSpark in tweets about big news that is happening at your startup Posting and tagging images about your company Signing up for our newsletter and watching for new opportunities Keeping your profile up-to-date to ensure that you are targeted for the right opportunities 14 P a g e

15 Adding your blogs and twitter accounts to your profile Letting us know what is happening with you and what events/awards you will be attending Downloading and posting the BizSpark logo tile on your site Becoming a Fan & Friend on Facebook Joining us on LinkedIn Watching the BizSpark Channel on YouTube Posting offers and events on BizSpark Connect How Can I Notify Others That I am a BizSpark Startup? Becoming a BizSpark Startup is an exciting accomplishment that many startups want to share with their clients, investors and future customers. Log in to using the Windows Live ID and password you used to apply to the BizSpark Program At the bottom left of the My BizSpark page you can choose to download the BizSpark Logo, this logo can be posted on any source where you want to represent your membership in the BizSpark program When used online, make sure it links back to the program! ( 15 P a g e