Microsoft has implemented its global programme in India that will help start-ups by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools and connecting them with key industry players, including investors.
The programme is called BizSpark Plus and includes the company’s offering of $120,000 a year of free Azure Cloud services to each qualified Indian start-ups. Apart from this, start-ups can use $10,000 worth of credits monthly to invest in Microsoft services to power their business. It will also provide free software, developer tools and tech support to make start-ups more technically sound.
Microsoft said in a press statement that the company is joining hands with 13 start-up accelerators to roll out the initiative. These include 91Springboard, Reliance GenNext and Zone Startups. On a global level, Microsoft is tying up with 150 start-up accelerators in 47 countries to deploy this programme.
“Start-ups need all the help they can to get access to the right tools, technology and guidance. At Microsoft, we are committed to supporting these start-ups and through the BizSpark Plus programme. We want to support India’s upcoming entrepreneurs and the government’s Digital India vision. We aim to help early stage companies accelerate innovation and deliver their product to customers as quickly as possible,” Rajinish Menon, director, Microsoft Ventures India, said.
For start-ups to qualify under the programme’s criteria,they should be privately held, be less than five years old and have less than $1 million in revenue and be a member of a select accelerator or venture capitalist firm.
