Global Web services leader, Hostway Corporation, has announced its acceptance into the Microsoft BizSpark program as a Network Partner. Now that, Hostway Customer can receive virtually free software to run on the advanced server solutions they lease from Hostway.

“We’re pleased to have been recognized by Microsoft for our abilities and experience in supporting emerging technology companies,” said Todd Benjamin, director of enterprise hosting at Hostway. “BizSpark is an innovative program that enables us to add additional value to the network and hosted server products we already offer to these organizations".

BizSpark will be one cornerstone of the portfolio of services that Hostway offers to emerging technology companies, and is part of a new startup portal at Hostway.com. Hostway has a long and successful history of supporting online, software as a service (SaaS), and advanced application providers; from their initial debut on the internet through their evolution to deployment of large scale, customized computing solutions. The start up portal will continue to be enhanced with additional resources and product offerings to help these companies get online quickly, and successfully.

As a BizSpark partner, Hostway can now offer startups fast and easy access to Microsoft’s current full-featured development tools, platform technologies as well as production licenses to bring to market innovative and interoperable solutions for the next generation of user experiences. To simplify ordering and deployment of a turnkey enterprise class online presence, Hostway has created new packaged solutions for its startup customers.

To be eligible for the Microsoft BizSpark program, startups must be actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that is a core piece of their business model, have been in business less than three years, and have less than USD$1M in revenue. Startups may enroll for the program by obtaining sponsorship from a designated BizSpark Network Partner.

“We understand the challenges that startups face in today’s economy as they try to create viable, scalable and sustainable businesses,” said John Zanni, general manager of the Worldwide Software plus Services Industry for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “The Microsoft BizSpark program provides startups with a unique opportunity to take advantage of Microsoft software, expert support and visibility during a critical time for their business.”