TechStars teams with Microsoft Corp.

BOULDER - Startup companies in the business incubator TechStars will be able to use $60,000 worth of computer software for free for two years under a new arrangement with Microsoft Corp.

Companies involved in TechStars' programs in Boulder, Boston, New York, Seattle and Texas will be able to use the Windows Azure computing and data-storage programs, under the BizSpark Plus program.

Windows Azure software offers computer users a platform to access Web applications and services.

"Access to technologies such as Windows Azure and other software and services from Microsoft through the BizSpark Plus program gives our companies a leg up in the all-encompassing race to scale and succeed," said David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars.

Microsoft also will make the software available to groups involved in the Global Accelerator Network. The network is a group of nearly 40 organizations around the globe that use a mentorship-based startup accelerator model similar to the TechStars model to help new companies.

TechStars led the effort to form the Global Accelerator Network in 2010 as part of the White House's Startup America Initiative. The government program's goal is to create 25,000 new jobs by 2015 across the country.

TechStars was founded in 2006 and is funded by more than 50 venture capital firms and 25 angel investors. The TechStars community currently includes more than 300 mentors, more than 1,500 investors and more than 120 alumni TechStars companies.