Microsoft would provide over $100,000 worth of tools and resources for startups.
This is coming with its new initiative, Microsoft’s startups’ founder Hub.
It said the hub would be for startups worldwide, and it would make the resources and tools accessible irrespective of if they need backing or not.
Also, it adds that the tool would include access to its GitHub and Microsoft 365.
Microsoft aims to lower the barrier that most startups face and help them avoid the common pitfalls in the industry.
It had noted that over 90% of startups go out of business in their first year.
And the initiative would be its way of creating solutions for startups.
Building a startup from scratch can be very challenging – focusing on innovating, connecting with investors and others.
Microsoft’s initiative is to meet the startup’s founders where they are and offer them the best tools, reducing cost and accelerating development.
“Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub meets founders where they are, offering best-in-class developer tools and a breadth of cloud offerings across every function, so startups can reduce costs and accelerate development with a partner they can trust.” said Microsoft’s executive vice president of Cloud and AI, Scott Guthrie.
Asides the program would be focusing on three areas for the startup.
They include; lowering barriers for startups, providing access to GitHub, the Microsoft Cloud, and other technologies, and providing mentorship for founders.
You don’t need funding to join Microsoft’s Startups Founders Hub
Microsoft has stated that startups don’t require funding to join its initiative.
Also, they do not need investors’ backend to be part of its Startups Founder hub.
It is a free platform for startups all over the world.
And this would create opportunities for more organisations.
Jeff Ma, vice president, Microsoft for Startups, said, “Our ambition is to make the global startup ecosystem more representative of the world at large regardless of background, location, progress or passion”.
ALSO READ: Apple Announces Budget-Friendly iPhone SE, iPad Air, Mac Studio Computer
What would startups access on Microsoft’s Startups Founders Hub
Microsoft has stated what startups would have access to if they joined its hub in its blog.
The platform would provide access to over $100.000 in powerful development and productivity tools, including GitHub, Microsoft 365 and others.
It said it would provide $150,000 of Microsoft Azure for them.
This would enable them to build their business at their own pace.
Also, it plans to provide access to $1,000 of credits with its partnership with OpenAI, an AI research and deployment company.
This would be alongside “three free months of an OpenAI API Innovation License and free consultation with an OpenAI expert”.
Using the platform, they can build new products and have access to GPT-3, one of the advanced language-based AI models in the world.
The hub would also connect them with successful founders to help coach and advise them on achieving their milestones.
Implication for readers
This is good news for startups all over the world.
Microsoft has, over the years, been committing to creating more opportunities for businesses to grow.
With the initiative, many more organisations would rise and find footing.
And the ones that are currently available would be able to face the pitfalls in their various industries.
Regardless, Microsoft has said interested founders should sign up on its Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.
Found this interesting? Share!
and then