In this tough economy, startup companies are doing everything they can to reduce costs. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why some are turning to Microsoft BizSpark, a 6-month-old program that gives qualified startup companies free software and support for three years.

Today, Microsoft is announcing that close to 12,000 startup companies have signed up for the program since it debuted last fall. That's close to 65 companies a day. (Full Disclosure: Microsoft BizSpark is a TechFlash sponsor.)

Among the companies that are participating are ZocDoc, Xobni, Eduify, StackOverflow and Synaptic Mash.

Last year, Dan'l Lewin, corporate vice president of Strategic and Emerging Business Development at Microsoft, told TechFlash that the program was already well in development when the economy turned south. But he also acknowledged that it was a good time for Microsoft to reach out to startup companies.

"We have been aware that the biggest concern in the startup community in working with us has been the upfront costs to get going and the availability and the access to the technology has not been as efficient as it should be," said Lewin at the time. "I think this removes those barriers."

Microsoft is trying to build bridges in the startup community, in part because Amazon.com has established an early lead in providing cheap Web services around payments, storage and other technologies.

Only startups that are sponsored by a BizSpark network partner -- a venture capital firm, an angel investment group or other entity -- are eligible for the program. Software companies -- which span industries such as healthcare, education and entertainment -- also must be less than three years old and have under $1 million in revenue.