Microsoft to offer start-ups free software

The Daily Telegraph picked up on this news

BizSpark is relevant to companies who have a turnover of less than £630,000 ($1 million) and means that they would only need to pay a nominal $100 fee after 3 years

Those entrepreneurs selected would also gain access to Microsoft's technical support team and powerful public relations machine.

Microsoft is using a network of organisations like venture capital associations, university incubators and economic development agencies to filter applications so that only firms that had potential to grow quickly would benefit.