[mindcrime]

What kind of conditions do they impose on you as a part of the program? Is there any stuff like "an app built using Bizspark that supports Microsoft office cannot also support OpenOffice / LibreOffice," or "your app can't be open-source?" Etc?

Is it just software, or do they provide any sort of assistance with doing the integration with their stuff?

I'm curious since I could see a use for Sharepoint integration and even Outlook / Office integration for some of what I'm working on, but I'd still be leery of the whole "it's a trap" thing with Microsoft.

[mikesaraf]

It is basically an open invitation to use their tools where you see fit. Our web app is built on an open source stack. We are writing software to integrate with the Mac (few attorneys use Macs but its growing). There wasn't any weird limitation or requirements to write MS only applications, we couldn't find any catch.

There are a couple of ways to get support. First, you're basically getting premium MSDN account access, so you get a limited number of support requests, it gives you one-on-one access to their engineers to get technical help if you need it. Second, there is a general BizSpark contact. We haven't contacted them yet, I suspect its primarily for getting help with the parter & investor networking aspect of it.

As far as signing up, go for it! I'd encourage anyone that falls in their guidelines and wants to integrate with any piece of MS software to sign up. (Main guidelines: Your company or startup is less than 3 years old, privately owned, Less then $1M in revenue)

[jf]

HN readers interested in BizSpark can also contact me directly to get in.

[jf]

I work for Microsoft. Part of my job is talking about BizSpark.

BizSpark doesn't impose any conditions like you listed, to qualify for BizSpark, you just need to meet the requirements listed here: https://www.microsoft.com/BizSpark/Faqs.aspx#Startup-Questio...

We don't have a formal way to offer assistance to startups looking to integrate with our software. That said, I'd love to talk to anybody who is interested doing integrations with Microsoft software.

[mindcrime]

Hmmm... when I tried that URL in Chrome, I get:

"You attempted to reach www.microsoft.com, but the certificate that the server presented has been revoked by its issuer. This means that the security credentials the server presented absolutely should not be trusted. You may be communicating with an attacker. You should not proceed."

Just FYI...

[jf]

Odd. Are you getting the correct certificate? You should be getting a certificate with a fingerprint of: "ea 22 6c ac ce 3f 1c b3 47 d9 f7 8f 60 31 d3 ba 41 07 91 99"

You can use this command to double-check the certificate on your local (POSIX) machine or on a remote server:

  echo '' | openssl s_client -connect www.microsoft.com:443 | openssl x509 -noout -fingerprint

[kenjackson]

What is the Microsoft store?

[jf]

So, there's this: http://store.microsoft.com - it's a site where you can buy Microsoft products online. Then there are several retail locations where you can go in-person to purchase Microsoft software and related hardware: https://store.microsoft.com/Locations

[kenjackson]

Sorry... I misread what you wrote. I thought you said "integrations with the Microsoft store"... you said, "Microsoft software".

[allwein]

About the only condition is that your startup cannot simply be a hosting provider. Meaning, I'm selling IIS7 web hosting accounts with SQL Server available as a backend and free Exchange Email, and all that I'm using the Bizspark supplied software for is that generic hosting.

[rickdangerous1]

No conditions at all.