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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Janesville, WI, United States, 11/27/2008 - ASP, the Association of Shareware Professionals, today announced that it has joined the Microsoft BizSpark Program as a Network Partner.
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BizSpark is an innovative new Microsoft program specifically designed to provide early stage high-potential Startups with software, support and visibility to help ignite their success. As BizSpark Network Partner, ASP is able to sponsor qualifying members to join the program at no extra cost.
BizSpark unites Startups with entrepreneurial and technology resources in a global community, by providing access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools, platform technologies plus production licenses of server products for immediate use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions.
A wide range of support resources is available from a global community of Network Partners - incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters - that are equally involved and vested in software-fueled innovation and entrepreneurship.
"The amount of software available is amazing from Windows 3.1 to Server 2008, from VC 97 to Visual Studio 2008, Expression Suite (not just Expression Web) and so much, much more. The timing couldn't be better for me as I'm developing a utility that I need to test with as many applications as I can. There is a lot of other stuff (other than software) that I haven't even begun to explore", stated ASP member Dexter Bell, developer of FileBoss and owner of The Utility Factory.
Eligibility requirements are minimal: privately held companies building a software-based product or service (even using open source code), in business for fewer than three years, and with less than USD$1M in annual revenue.
To join BizSpark, companies must be sponsored by a BizSpark Network Partner, such as ASP. No payment or credit card information is required, and there are no upfront costs. Microsoft will assess a USD$100 program exit fee at the end of participation in the program, or the end of three years, whichever comes first.
"We're delighted to facilitate access for our Startup members to the BizSpark program and help accelerate their success. It is so important today to make use of such wide pool of resources and peer network. Not to mention the visibility the program gives to a global audience of potential investors, clients and partners. Member feedback so far has been extremely positive" mentioned Mike Dulin, President of the ASP.
ASP is the world's main trade organization for independent software developers and vendors, focused on providing know-how through various events and resources. Software professionals have access to helpful business information, and archives providing useful assistance to newcomers.
About Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP)
Founded in 1987, the Association of Shareware Professionals (asp-shareware.org) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the understanding of shareware software industry through advocacy, standards, research, and technology. It offers rich information on how to start and grow a software business, from development to marketing and customer service, as well as personalized advice. ASP also functions as a liaison between shareware authors, microISVs, beginners and leaders, distributors and marketers facilitating contacts and sharing experience.
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publicrelations[.]asp-shareware.org 
