Microsoft has reinforced its commitment towards providing startups with a mix of marketing help, technology and more by launching Microsoft for Startups program. Earlier too, the software giant had been encouraging startups via several initiatives like BizSpark credits for Azure, Microsoft Accelerator programs, etc.
Microsoft for Startups program
What differentiates the recent initiative from earlier ones is its unique approach to connect qualified startups with new customers and channel partners. The program provides dedicated resources to help startup marketing and sales teams to effectively sell their cloud solutions to enterprise organizations in partnership with Microsoft’s global sales organization and partner ecosystem.
We’re excited to announce Microsoft for Startups, a new program that delivers access to technology, go-to-market and community benefits that helps startups grow their customer and revenue base. We are committing $500 million over the next two years to offer joint sales engagements with startups, along with access to our technology, and new community spaces that promote collaboration across local and global ecosystems. Startups are an indisputable innovation engine, and Microsoft is partnering with founders and investors to help propel their growth, wrote Charlotte Yarkoni – Corporate Vice President, Growth and Ecosystems Microsoft in a blog post.
Microsoft for Startups will assist upcoming startups at every stage in ecosystems to help them connect to the right resources at an opportune time via its initiatives like,
- Microsoft Reactors – Spaces dedicated to entrepreneurs, developers, investors and the business community to come together to interact, learn and share.
- Microsoft ScaleUp – it’s a revamped version of Microsoft Accelerators program. It aims to offer late-stage and series A startups an advantage in Microsoft’s growth programs, such as co-marketing and co-selling opportunities to help them build their businesses.
- Microsoft Ventures – As the name suggests, the global program is missioned to provide active support at key stages of any startup’s growth, typically investing in Series A and D.
