Today Microsoft announced BizSpark Plus, an extension of the BizSpark program, which provides higher value offers to startup accelerators around the globe.

BizSpark Plus will provide up to $60,000 in Windows Azure compute and storage to select startup accelerators and their startups at no cost. TechStars, recently recognized as the number one accelerator in the world, is one of the first to receive this offering. TechStars will be able to empower each of its startups with this Windows Azure offering over a 24-month period, at no cost.

In addition to TechStars, Microsoft is making this Windows Azure offer available to all founders whose accelerators are part of the Global Accelerator Network.

Tech startups around the world are building products and services in the cloud. Cloud applications and smart devices are driving the new startup ecosystem, affording startups the ability to drive user adoption, scale their company and generate financial returns with far less capital, at a faster pace than ever before. Windows Azure offers a simple, comprehensive and powerful platform for the creation of web applications and services.

Supporting entrepreneurship is the crux of Microsoft BizSpark’s mission and the Windows Azure team is excited to be a part of this effort.

Please visit the BizSpark blog and the Microsoft News Center for more details.