Purdue Research Foundation has joined an international program that provides up to three years of Microsoft software to information technology startup companies for free.
"When a company is launched, every penny counts, and buying software and other technology can be a drain on an entrepreneur's budget," said Joseph B. Hornett, Purdue Research Foundation senior vice president, treasurer and COO. "The BizSpark program by Microsoft is a terrific way to help companies during the critical first three years, and we wanted to be a sponsor."
Microsoft programs available through BizSpark include Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server, Visual Studio, SQL Server and more.
A company does not have to be based at the Purdue Research Park to be sponsored by the foundation. For example, the foundation sponsors The Scarborough Group Inc. of Naperville, Ill., which is developing a service called The Driver's Log to help car enthusiasts organize automobile maintenance information.
Company President Tom Scarborough Jr. said BizSpark provides The Scarborough Group with access to Microsoft software without using capital from lenders.
"Appealing to lenders for startup capital is an arduous process," Scarborough said. "Because of BizSpark, we are able to immediately work on the application and not worry about startup costs to develop our core system. When we need capital to hire staff or advertise, we can show our product to a lender and explain what we need for the next step. Bank officials can see the product at that point, which can help them make their decision."
To be eligible for the BizSpark program, companies must have a software-based product or service at the core of their current or future business, be privately held, be in business for fewer than three years and earn less than $1 million in annual revenue. They also must have a sponsor. A company may take part in the program for three years unless it goes public or is acquired. There are no initial fees to join, but $100 is due from the company when it exits the program.
Startup company officials can solicit the Purdue Research Foundation to be their BizSpark sponsor by visiting http://www.prf.org/bus_dev/BizSpark.asp.
Note: All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
Contacts:
Purdue Research Foundation
Steve Martin, 765-588-3342
sgmartin@prf.org
