The High Tech Park became a network partner of the global Microsoft BizSpark Project in the Republic of Belarus which is aimed at support of start-up companies in the field of software development.

The launch of the given Project in Belarus was announced on the 18th of February, 2009 at the conference which took place in the National Library with the participation of High Tech Park resident companies.

Cliff Reeves, General Manager of Microsoft New Business-Models Development gave a report on the BizSpark Project. In his speech he made an emphasis on the following : “IT start-ups support projects allow bringing up a new generation of IT-business leaders and contributing to innovation, employment generation and further economic development of the country. The Microsoft Corporation has vast experience in working with start-ups and knows a success recipe for them. This success formula comprises a combination of state-of-the-art technologies and highly qualified partnership support multiplied by high-quality IT education of graduating specialists. Today we can see the huge potential of the Belarusian IT-industry and are ready to invest in its development. In your country the Government plays a key role in the development of information technologies. The authorities are interested in the development of IT-sector, its financial support and simultaneously reduction of tax load. So it is obvious why we have chosen the High Tech Park being a governmental structure to act as our network partner. The High Tech Park is permanently located in the center of the state. That is why our choice is obvious”.
Within the framework of the BizSpark Project all start-up companies will get fast and convenient access to full versions of the latest Microsoft products, including Expression Studio and a set of tools called Visual Studio Team System Team Suite, as well as access to production licenses of service products, a possibility to make a presentation of one’s company for future customers, partners and potential investors. 

Within the framework of the BizSpark Project the Microsoft Corporation also grants all Project participants a three-year subscription for the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Premium service which allows downloading a large set of programming tools for build-up, design, testing and support of applications based on the Microsoft platform.

Any private company primarily engaged in software products and services development may become a participant of the Project.  The operation experience of such a company in the market must be maximum 3 years and its yearly income must be 500,000 USD. The participation in the Project is free of charge but at the same time when the participation in the Project terminates a one-time membership fee amounting to 100 USD is stipulated.  

Valery Tsepkalo, Director of the Administration of Hi Tech Park:
“We think that the launch of the Microsoft BizSpark Project is well-timed and is a very important event for Belarusian start-up companies which are engaged in software development.   This is the first joint project of the High Tech Park and Microsoft of such a scale which is being implemented for high-tech companies. More than half of resident companies of the Park are newly-established companies, it means that more than 30 Park resident companies which are only at the beginning of their road to success will get an opportunity to make use of up-to-date technologies and receive expert technical support from the Microsoft Corporation and their partners. Along with governmental support which is received within the framework of the special legal status of the High Tech Park this Project will become a solid foundation for development of start-ups. Without support of start-ups the world would have never seen the emergence of many computer giants of our days”.

More info on BizSpark Project: http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark

18.02.2009