AIIA partners with BizSpark

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AIIA is delighted to be a partner for the new Microsoft BizSpark program, which will offer unique support to our SME members.

BizSpark is an exciting new a Microsoft program specifically designed to provide early stage start-ups with software, support, and visibility to help ignite their success. The program provides access to:

 

Software

Join BizSpark and you’re just a few clicks away from access to current, full-featured development tools, including Visual Studio Team System, as well as production licensing to develop and bring your solution to market.

Support

BizSpark provides you with professional technical support from Microsoft and connects you to a global community of business experts who can help guide you through the hurdles of growing your business.

Visibility

Through BizSpark, you’ll have the opportunity to achieve global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners.

Commenting on the initiative, AIIA CEO Ian Birks said that "in an economic environment that increasingly emphasises innovation and knowledge based products and services, collaboration will become more important to the successful start-ups of the future. SMEs are traditional innovation leaders, and the opportunities opened to small businesses who excel in their chosen field of business while working in strong partnerships will be enormous."

According to Alastair James, AIIA’s Industry Development Program manager, "AIIA's partnership with Microsoft in the BizSpark program further reinforces the commitment of both organisations to supporting the small business sector of the ICT industry.  With the objective to accelerate the business growth of SMEs, AIIA already partners with Microsoft to facilitate .NET business clusters under the CollabIT program in several states, and the BizSpark initiative will provide valuable additional member benefits.”

Eligibility requirements are minimal: if you're a privately held company building a software-based product or service (even using open source code), in business for fewer than three years, and with less than USD$1M in annual revenue, you're in!

For more details about BizSpark, visit: www.microsoft.com/bizspark or check out the The Startup Program Guide, which describes the program benefits and more. Contact bizspark@aiia.com.au to register your interest.

To join BizSpark, SMEs must be sponsored by a BizSpark Network Partner, such as AIIA. AIIA invites you to set up an account as our guest then we can process your company simply through our Microsoft CRM and manage your subscriptions easily. It's easy to set up an AIIA account online here now. Once your AIIA account is set up we can process your BizSpark application and will send you a separate email with instructions on how to get started.

AIIA BizSpark Startup Membership Package

To help SMEs take advantage of the BizSpark program AIIA has created a special AIIA BizSpark Startup Membership Package for a $500 flat membership fee which includes:

1. BizSpark sponsorship by AIIA Network Partner
2. 50% discount on your annual AIIA membership fees for the years 2&3 of your BizSpark membership
3. VIP invite to an AIIA CXO event in your state including a free ticket and seat on VIP table
4. Marketing exposure at a state event with logo included in presentation
5. Feature as new member in the Bulletin newsletter (circulation 5,000+ ICT industry professionals)
6. Access to AIIA CollabIT programs in your state
7. Membership to the .Net cluster in your state

To take up this unique offer please contact our membership team membership@aiia.com.au and mention AIIA BizSpark Startup Membership Package today!

To find out more check out the offer under our Member Benefits section of the AIIA website.