Microsoft Centre and BizSpark
The La Trobe University Microsoft Centre is a technology infusion initiative between Microsoft and La Trobe University and is supported by the State Government of Victoria and other technology providers.
The Centre is a facility for software developers (including subject matter experts, the developer community, university students and staff) where their ideas can be brought to life through the infusion of cutting edge hardware and software.
This facility is aimed at creating better links between students and business as well as lowering the infrastructure barriers and ensuring that the latest platforms are available to software developers for research and product development.
The facilities and activities in the Centre are closely aligned to the Microsoft platform that in turn will contribute to economic growth through development and transfer of technology, new IP and relevant world class skills transfer.
Download the Microsoft Centre brochure [PDF 159KB] for more information. To express your interest in accessing the Centre, please submit the Microsoft Centre Access online form.
BizSpark
The Microsoft Centre houses the Microsoft BizSpark program, which provides support and development facilities for software startups, including:
- development tools, software (including Visual Studio Team System) and production licensing
- professional technical support from Microsoft and access to a global business community
- global visibility and access to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners.
How to join BizSpark
You can join BizSpark if you are a privately held company building a software-based product or service (even using open source code), in business for fewer than three years, and with less than US $1M in annual revenue.
To join, you must be sponsored by a BizSpark Network Partner. You can apply to join BizSpark through the Centre for Technology Infusion by submitting our online enrolment form. We will then send you an enrolment link.
No payment or credit card information is required, and there are no upfront costs. Microsoft will assess a US $100 program offering fee at the end of participation in the program, or the end of three years, whichever comes first.
