In its boldest bid yet to win the affections of emerging businesses, Microsoft on Wednesday announced a program that will allow some start-ups to use its server software free of charge.

Dubbed BizSpark, the program will be open to private companies that have been in business for fewer than three years and have less than $1 million in yearly revenue. Companies will also have to be recommended by one of Microsoft's many for-profit, nonprofit, government, or academic partners.

Dan'l Lewin, the former Apple executive who heads Microsoft's efforts to reach out to start-ups, said the fact that the program comes as the economy is slowing is a coincidence.

"There's plenty of lore about all the great companies that have been started in a down economy," Lewin said. "I think the good companies will hunker down and do well. We'll do our best to help them."

In addition to getting free software, participating companies will be able to take part in an online directory of start-ups so they can network and reach potential customers, Lewin said.

Those selected for the program will be able to get access to a range of products, Lewin said, from Visual Studio to Windows Server, SQL Server and SharePoint, among others. Microsoft's customer relationship management software will soon be an option as well.

That said, Lewin said it isn't an all-or-nothing offer. He said that companies can choose a mix of Microsoft and other software, including open-source products.

"They don't have to only build on our stuff," Lewin said.

Companies will get Microsoft's software free of charge for three years and will have to pay the then-prevailing licensing costs thereafter, Lewin said.

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Microsoft BizSpark—Turning today’s most promising Startups into tomorrow’s most successful businesses.

BizSpark is an innovative new program that unites Startups with entrepreneurial and technology resources in a global community with a common goal of supporting and accelerating the success of a new generation of high-potential Startups.

Find out how to get the free software @ Microsoft BizSpark

Visit: Microsoft's online directory of start-ups

To enroll, you must be sponsored by a BizSpark Network Partner. Find a BizSpark Network Partner.

To be eligible for BizSpark, all of the following must be true. Your Startup:

* Is in the business of software development1,
* Is privately held,
* Has been in business for less than 3 years, and
* Has less than US $1 million in annual revenue.

To be eligible to use the software for production and deployment of hosted solutions Startups must also be developing a new “software as a service” solution (on any platform) to be delivered over the Internet.