Ask HN: Are there any startups using/considering Windows Azure?

[rthng]

Either as a deployment platform or as an area that you are investigating for a tool/service.

Or maybe you're just adding Azure integration to an existing product.

I'd love to hear any opinions/experiences you might have had, or maybe if you're considering it what you find attractive about it or what puts you off.

[jhferris3]

I'm not, but http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/ is a program that gives startups 3 years of product licenses, including some Windows Azure and SQL Azure credits. I don't know too much more about the program, but its at least worth checking out if you're thinking of using Azure.

[quattrofan]

Bizspark is like a pusher for startups. Why anyone would start off doing anything using Microsoft tools is beyond me. Everything you need is out there and its free.

[rthng]

Thanks for that, I was aware of the program but I appreciate the reply.

We're currently looking at Azure for a few things and I'm really interested to hear experiences so trying HN people was my first port of call!

[mwg66]

I'm not really building Windows products (although I do have a few components) but the BizSpark programme looks like a really great offer.

Has anyone else had any experience of BizSpark?

[dtsingletary]

I'm in their WebsiteSpark program, through StartupToDo.com

The service is great, they're really trying to build a sense of community, and obviously, you're getting the whole suite of development tools.

However! I've been concurrently (okay, mostly) developing the project I'd intended with it in Rails instead.

That said, it's still a great deal for a small developer who wants a little more power than the free editions.

[neworbit]

I am aware of one that is but so far they're in stealth mode. Most other firms I've asked about that have had some derisive commentary about building on Windows.