As a hosting network partner for Bizspark, the company will provide a scalable hosting environment needed for startups and small to mid-size businesses.

PEER 1 Network Enterprises, Inc., a provider of online IT infrastructure, today announced that it has been selected to join the Microsoft BizSpark program as a network partner. The company states that the BizSpark program is a new global program designed to help accelerate the success of early stage startups by connecting them to network partners: active members of the global software ecosystem that can provide mentorship, guidance and resources to BizSpark enrolled startups. It adds that BizSpark creates an ongoing, mutually beneficial ecosystem between Microsoft Corp., startups and network partners.

''As a hosting Network Partner for Bizspark we provide the highly flexible and scalable hosting environment needed for startups as well as small to mid-size businesses,'' said Lee Hadsock, channel sales manager for PEER 1. ''This represents an additional channel to attract promising new companies with rapid growth potential that will require the high performance network and advanced technical support that PEER 1 provides.''

''We understand the difficulties startups face in trying to create a viable, scalable and sustainable business, especially in today's economy,'' said John Zanni, general manager of the worldwide software plus services industry for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. ''Microsoft BizSpark provides startups with a unique opportunity to grow their business by taking advantage of the breadth of the Microsoft platform, our global partner ecosystem and new ways to gain market exposure.''