Microsoft New Zealand is proud to be sponsoring the Wellington Startup Weekend yet again. The Startup Weekend movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs helps make progress towards Microsoft’s vision for New Zealand’s future – smarter, more connected, and more competitive.

In the software startup space, Microsoft helps startups to succeed using Microsoft BizSpark, a global program that gives startups access to software development tools, connects them with key industry players, and provides marketing visibility. Most importantly for kiwi startups, the BizSpark program also includes access to Windows Azure – a flexible, comprehensive, and powerful cloud platform that essentially gives startups access to supercomputing on tap.

The Windows Azure platform makes it easy for startups to get a production-ready solution up and running quickly, so they can focus on building their business. Windows Azure offers a simple, comprehensive, and powerful platform for the creation of web applications and services. The most recent update to the services offered by Windows Azure made the platform more flexible, more open, more powerful, and easier to use than ever before. This spring release introduced Infrastructure-as-a- Service (IaaS) capabilities, including Windows Azure Virtual Machines for Windows and Linux-based applications, as well as the Windows Azure Virtual Network to securely link Windows Azure with on-premises networks. Startups will also be interested in Windows Azure Web Sites which enable developers to quickly and easily deploy web sites with support for multiple frameworks and popular open source applications.

In short, Windows Azure enables kiwi startups to focus on their business logic (as opposed to operational hurdles!) in creating compelling products. We are working on compiling case studies from successful New Zealand companies running their businesses on Azure but, for now, check out how startups abroad use Windows Azure to make their companies more agile.

In addition to Azure benefits, the BizSpark program offers technical support, business training and a network of over 2,000 partners to connect members with incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters. Since it was established in 2008, hundreds of software startups in New Zealand have signed up to enjoy these benefits, and have built up their relationship with Microsoft. Globally, more than 45,000 companies in over 100 countries have joined.

Oh and one more thing – you may have heard of a little piece of software that we’ve built ourselves, called “Windows 8”. BizSpark member companies get full access to the Visual Studio 2012 RC which enables them to build Metro style apps for Windows 8. And you know, Windows 8 is just around the corner, so you might want to start thinking about readying apps for launch…

Feel free to email msdnnz@microsoft.com with any questions you have about the BizSpark program, Windows Azure, or Windows 8. We especially want to hear from you if you have built something AWESOME on any of the Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft New Zealand can’t WAIT to help even more kiwi startups succeed internationally.