Get free shit from Microsoft because they love you!



DreamSpark is the shiznit. I have gotten several of the more expensive Microsoft software programs for free for two years with DreamSpark. Say what you will about Bill Gates, but he looks out for students...
 
Got turned down on Bizspark.... What did you guys put in your applications?

Strange, never known any one to get turned down.

When I filled out my application I just stuck my name and business details in there and that was enough.

I'm not sure if the process is the same for everyone no matter where they are located though (my business is regged in Australia).
 
Eligible startups must be:

  1. Actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that will form a core piece of its current or intended business*. To meet this requirement the software must:
    • Add significant and primary functionality to the integrated Microsoft software.
    • Be owned, not licensed by the Startup.
  2. Privately held
  3. In business for less than 5 years[1], and
  4. Bringing in less than US$1 million in annual revenue[2]
Microsoft may permit individual developers or others and/or separate technology entities who may not meet the standard eligibility requirements to join BizSpark from time to time.
[1] Startups who are actively engaged in software development but have not yet completed the formalities of establishing a business.
[2] This requirement has been adjusted to add local variances calibrated to local economic conditions in the startup’s place of business, below. If a startup's place of business is not listed below, then the revenue limit is US $1 million. US$750,000 China, US$500,000 Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine US$250,000 Egypt, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam

* Not eligible for BizSpark

  • If you are developing dashboards, HTML editors, utilities, website, and similar technologies that are not considered primary service or application.
  • If you are a consultant
 
+1
Got accepted today!

Windows 8.1 is available in there as well.

Not sure if I should upgrade to win 8.1 yet as today they have announced that official lauch of Windows 8.1 will be on October 18th and the version which is available to download as of now there is not full fledged version which they are going to ship.

I would upgrade to Windows 8.1 RTM once available.
 
Thanks for that - this is pretty cool. I had no idea MS ran anything like this for business owners. Perhaps they need to advertise it more themselves as well) unless you actually are a MS employee in which case, well played!
 
So in 2011 I got tired of Windows & Microsoft ( I didn't really give them a chance) and moved to Linux. These past couple of ears I thought Linux would be the solution to all my problems. I actually thought it was. I used probable around 50 different distros in that time. Every single one had problems (I tried to ignore them) & none of them have ever come close to Windows or Mac. Yesterday after looking at this thread I decided to go full Microsoft (Windows 7, Bing, Office 2013, WP 8 etc...) and it feels great. I will stick to Microsoft for the whole year and then go to Apple and I'll just keep on rotating between the 2 cause honestly Linux is only good for servers. That's it. Linux brought in so much frustration inside of me ( that I repressed for years trying to like it).

So the transition was extremely smooth and now I'm even using IE11 which is pretty nice. I'm going to apply to this right now ( Microsoft Loves Us ^_^) so I can continue my little Microsoft adventure.