Propel Wisconsin Innovation: Microsoft names Propel Wisconsin Innovation a BizSpark partner

Press Contact: Robert Chappell, 608-334-7829 or robert@chappellprg.com

Propel Members Could Be Eligible for Free Software

Propel Wisconsin Innovation has been selected as a MicroSoft BizSpark Network Partner to provide software, platforms, and licensing to information technology startups. The BizSpark program helps early stage companies with the necessary tools to bring innovative software to market.

“BizSpark is a great opportunity for startups to get off the ground when they are the most vulnerable,” said Propel co-founder Dale Beerman. “By making tens of thousands of dollars worth of software available, Microsoft has effectively reduced the startup costs for software companies to nothing.”

Entry to BizSpark is free, although a company is required to pay $100 when they exit the program. To be eligible, the company must be actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that will form a core piece of its current or intended business model. In addition, the company must be privately held, less than three years old and have less than $1 million in revenue.

As part of the BizSpark program Microsoft provides startups with tools and technologies for immediate use in design, development, testing, demonstration, and hosted application production and deployment. In addition, BizSpark can help with support, additional visibility, and connections with local and global startup ecosystems such as venture capitalists, angel investors, incubators, and other entrepreur associations.

In order to enroll in BizSpark, startups should contact Propel Wisconsin Innovation CEO, Henry Sanders, at sanders@propelwi.com. Additional information about BizSpark can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark .

Propel Wisconsin Innovation is a non-profit organization serving as the collective voice for entrepreneurs in Wisconsin. Propel’s goals are to drive the demand for entrepreneurship by facilitating the spread of best practices across the state and to connect entrepreneurs with the resources necessary to thrive.