The South African government has partnered with Microsoft to expand its existing BizSpark programme to provide business support to 600 technology start-ups over the next three years, using funding from government’s Jobs Fund and Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative.
The privatized Microsoft BizSpark programme offers technology and support to start-ups that develop software-based products and services. It has been in business for less than five years and brings in less than $1 million annual revenue.
In addition to giving the start-ups free access to technology such as the Window 8 OS, the programme offers technical support, business training and exposure to a network of more than 2,000 partners to connect small businesses with incubators, investors, advisors and government agencies.