Enterprise Ireland in collaboration with Microsoft for Startups have teamed up to grant Enterprise Ireland ‘High Potential Start-Ups’ (HPSUs) unique access to a range of supports through the Microsoft for Startups Programme.
The Microsoft for Startups Programme provides access to up to $120,000 (over two years) of Microsoft Azure credits, technology, support and expert advice, enabling HPSUs to rapidly scale and grow.
The programme connects HPSUs with Microsoft’s customers, enabling the companies to showcase their product or solution and establish relationships. Microsoft’s global sales team matches start-ups’ innovation with existing customer demand, while a dedicated ‘Microsoft Start-Up Advocate’ will work closely with HPSUs across the business including market on-boarding and Go-To-Market resources.
Globally, graduated start-ups from the Microsoft for Start-ups Programme have driven over $1bn in sales pipeline. Microsoft says it is excited to expand the Start-Ups Programme in Ireland and afford a number of exciting companies the opportunity to rapidly scale and grow their business beyond Irish shores.
Some HPSUs may also benefit from the ‘Global Social Entrepreneurship Programme’ which enables social impact start-ups to bring their solutions to market with Microsoft. The programme offers start-ups a range of supports through technology, executive sponsorship and grants to bring their big visions to a global audience.
Commenting on the initiative, Managing Director for Microsoft for Startups Europe, Andrew Macadam said, "Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and company on the planet to achieve more and in Microsoft for Start-ups, we focus on working with the most successful start-ups to drive growth through our customers on the Azure cloud."
He added, "Enterprise Ireland's commitment to developing start-ups with a global ambition and ability to compete internationally is completely aligned with this mission and we are incredibly excited to be partnering with them. Working together, we believe we can provide the perfect platform for Irish start-ups and scale-ups to accelerate their scale and growth globally by leveraging the Microsoft Customer and Partner ecosystem."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
