If you are a software developer and you are planning to build a product or service, take a look at the Microsoft BizSpark program. If you qualify, the program will give you access to all the Microsoft software, professional support and visibility. It’s similar to an MSDN Premium subscription plus hosting solutions.

I personally think this is a great move from Microsoft. There’s no question that the future of Windows, and therefore Microsoft, depends on software developers betting on their platform.

This program is more convenient for startups than the Empower program. The reason is that you don’t have to commit to certify your application or become a Microsoft Partner at the end (I’ll talk about this in another post).

The sign up process is very easy, however you’ll need a Network Partner. I personally contacted Bob Walsh from 47 Hats, because I’ve been following him for a long time. He is by the way one of the most active BizSpark Network Partners.

This program is a no-brainer for any startup.