Microsoft grants free software to Azerbaijani startups
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijani startups operating in the High-Tech Park under the Communications and High Technology Ministry has received free software worth about $50,000, Microsoft Azerbaijan reports.
The project is implemented in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between Microsoft Azerbaijan and High-Tech Park in September.
Microsoft's software is provided within the international program Microsoft BizSpark. Over 20 Azerbaijani startups have already registered in the program.
"Every startup registered in BizSpark, receives Microsoft software solution in the amount of about $15,000. It is a platform based on which an opportunity is given to the companies to develop their own software solutions," the company said.
Microsoft BizSpark members receive free Microsoft software for the design, development, testing of products and for offering their services online. In addition, startup developers have offered free resources of cloud hosting Azure, free access to the Windows Store, assistance in attracting funding, support in advancing the project to the international market and a number of additional benefits from BizSpark community partners.
The Windows Store, an online application store for Microsoft Windows, is now available for Azerbaijani software developers, the company said.
The main aim is including the distributions of Azerbaijani developers in Windows Phone Store (app store for smartphones) and Windows Store (app stores for PCs).
Previously, it was possible to include only free programs in these online stores.
A number of Azerbaijani programmers have already started selling their software solutions via these online stores of Microsoft, the company said.
Earlier, Microsoft Azerbaijan said the developers' profit from sales via the Windows Store stands at 80 percent.
Microsoft Corporation, operating in Azerbaijan since 2005, is represented by seven experts, focused on interaction between the public and private sectors as well as on issues of humanitarian concern.
Microsoft Azerbaijan's main aim is to offer the latest products and software designs that would contribute to Azerbaijan's development through their introduction into e-government, business administration and education.