This morning, I had the opportunity to attend a discussion with Dan’l Lewin. Corporate Vice President, Strategic and Emerging Business Development for Microsoft.  Also in attendance were a group of about 25 technology graduate students, MBA students and entrepreneurs from DePaul, University of Chicago, University of Illinois and Northwestern.  The discussion surrounded a new initiative by Microsoft to support, nurture and perhaps eventually partner with technology start-ups via a new product, Microsoft BizSpark. 

BizSpark is a program designed to provide fast, affordable technology resources, product licensing as well as technological support for entrepreneurial ventures.  Microsoft hopes that by providing these tools, they will facilitate accelerated growth in entrepreneurship and new technology markets.  In order to qualify for the BizSpark program, a company must meet the following criteria:

1. Be in the business of software development
2. Be privately held
3. Have been in business for less than 3 years
4. Have less than $1 million in annual revenue

So, for a new venture in need of established, affordable technology resources, Microsoft BizSpark may be the answer.  Microsoft is also interested in building relationships with organizations like the Coleman Center, to be Network Partners and where appropriate, encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to explore the BizSpark program. 

At the university level, Microsoft offers DreamSpark, designed to provide the same types of services to students across the globe.  I found this offering especially interesting because the Coleman Center works with so many talented student entrepreneurs, and this may be yet another tool to enable their success in the marketplace. 

While the conversation did often take a “techy” turn, and at times I wasn’t sure if we were still all speaking the same language, (What does 7 layers of a stack mean?  And what is cloud computing?) I enjoyed hearing the strategy behind Microsoft’s newest initiatives.  Mr. Lewin seems to see the value in encouraging and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit, sharing resources to increase the odds of success and perhaps learning of and entering new markets as a result of small business partnerships.  

Posted by Amanda Hansen, Marketing Intern
 

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