WebSite Spark

To join the program and collect the goodies, you must meet certain conditions. Your business must be a web development and design company with ten employees or fewer, and existing BizSpark member companies are not eligible.

When you sign up, you're expected to join the Microsoft Partner Network as a condition of participation. After you sign up, you have six months to develop a website using the program software. New websites must be reported using the WebsiteSpark Portal.

You'll need to either designate a network referral partner or enter a referral code to enroll. Referral codes can be obtained at events, from Microsoft employees or participating Network Partners, or by sending a request to webspark@microsoft.com.

Licensing for up to three users for the following development products:

• Visual Studio Professional
• Expression Studio 2 or 3 (1 user)
• Expression Web 2 or 3 (up to 2 users)
• Windows Web Server 2008
• SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

For production use:

• Windows Web Server 2008
• SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

The free ride lasts for three years, as long as your company doesn't go public or change ownership. At the end of that time, you can choose to purchase the program software at a package price of via a $999 per year. You may also opt to purchase only the production server licenses. For $199 per year, you get one Windows Web Server license and one SQL Server Web edition license. You may purchase as many of these packages as needed. If you leave the program at the end of the three years, Microsoft charges $100.

Microsoft promises additional value in the form of partner networking for increased visibility and exposure. By leveraging Microsoft marketing and networking, you extend the reach of your business and earn new clients. In addition, Microsoft will offer the new WebsiteSpark Marketplace where members can showcase their skills and talents, look for new business, find partners and interact with other members.