Microsoft, through its new BizSpark program, appears to be inserting itself at the center of a global startup network for software developers, including here in Oregon. Last week we read about TiE’s announcement that it’s partnering with BizSpark. Today we read that OTBC has just become a BizSpark network partner.
According to Microsoft, BizSpark is a comprehensive program directed at software development startups, through which Microsoft will provide software startups with “express access” to Microsoft’s tools and techonologies, connect them with network partners like OTBC and TiE into a “global community,” and give them visibility on the MicrosoftStartupZone website.
This push by Microsoft to make itself an integral (if not indispensable) part of the software startup scene is an interesting development when viewed against the recent trend of open source software-based startups. It begs the question whether Microsoft is pushing back against OSS. Does anyone else have a similar reaction to BizSpark?
This post isn’t much about law, but since we follow OSS legal developments closely, we couldn’t resist thinking out loud about this one.
Tags: bizspark, microsoftstartupzone, open source, oss
