Microsoft recently launched a global Founders Hub for African startups through the Africa Transformation Office (ATO). The Founders Hub is a self-service hub enabling startups with different resources such as access to mentors, skilling content, tools like Microsoft Azure and GitHub, and go-to-market and business support.
Microsoft formed industry alliances with venture capital investors who will dedicate a portion of their financial support to startups in the Microsoft network to facilitate $500,000 million funding access. It has established partnerships with multiple key venture capital investors such as Banque Misr, Global Venture Capital, and Get Funded Africa.
It intends to grow this network to increase funding and scale up and drive economic growth. These partnerships will provide African startups with access to programs, access to Microsoft’s engineering and product team for co-innovation, and access to markets like opportunities to co-sell with Microsoft.
In addition, Microsoft is creating new partnerships with accelerators and incubators throughout Africa like Grindstone, Greenhouse, FlapMax, and Seedstars to provide industry-based startups with access to markets, technical skills, and funding opportunities.
