Twenty-one business to business (B2B) tech startups will participate in the second cohort of the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program. They will work to co-create technology solutions with partners such as DHL, Etisalat, EY, Koç Holding, Lulu Hypermarket, and PwC. The startups will spend 12-weeks of virtual and physical workshops and training in the United Arab Emirates, thanks to its partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The accelerator program is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B startups across the Middle East and Africa. By connecting them with large corporations with specific problem statements they are looking to solve. The 12-week program runs from March to June 2022. It will empower the B2B tech startups with technology, mentoring and market access.
“We’ve built on the success of the first GrowthX Accelerator says Roberto Croci, Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups. To develop a second edition that is even more hands-on and offers even more value for participating startups, he adds.
“The 21 startups participating in this event will gain incredible knowledge from mentors in the program. That will not only help them scale their businesses but drive real impact across the region. Together with ADIO, we look forward to empowering this second cohort of startups to develop their innovative ideas into next-generation solutions that can further drive our position as a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”
Roberto Croci
Here are the startups from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region participating in the Microsoft for Startups program.
Meet GrowthX Accelerator program cohort 2 startups
AiFlux – provider of digital solutions to the renewables and oil & gas industries.
DevisionX – supports organizations in the manufacturing industry in building no-code AI-powered digital solutions.
Event Gates (EGT Kontrol AS) – develops AI solutions for security and manufacturing verticals.
Farmdar – empowers farmers with actionable data to lower costs, increase yield, enhance quality and reduce waste.
Farmin – AI-powered platform that delivers critical insights for smart cities.
Greener Crop – supports farmers in leveraging technology to operate profitable farms and harvest sustainable, nutrient-rich and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
AI – a software company with a focus on digitizing physical spaces.
Lune Technologies – developer and manufacturer of fiber optics and terahertz-based technology products for the aerospace, automotive, defence, energy and infrastructure industries.
monak e-services – on-demand delivery service
NutzenTech – provides data and technology-focused B2B and B2G solutions that reduce environmental footprint.
Nybl – a machine learning platform that turns underutilized data into actionable intelligence.
Occicor – helps CPG companies achieve better shelf management by transforming images into actionable data.
Olymon Solutions – provides smart automation solutions to unify the processes of grocers and food traders.
Pivony – a self-service web platform used to discover conversation topics and obtain insights from real user-generated data
PowerDev – unifies the energy market big data from multiple resources and provides a robust SaaS data analysis tool.
Sav – a platform that enables you to manage your finances better and is the most convenient way to achieve your financial goals.
Searover – provides AI and robotic solutions with a focus on predictive and preventive maintenance solutions in solar, wind and hydropower generation.
Swftbox – A plug & play platform that offers retailers faster deliveries (same day, next day) through its courier network and complete fulfilment services.
Trade Capital Partners (TCP) – trade finance FinTech that offers working capital solutions for SMEs and startups in Emerging Markets.
Valorafutbol – a Software as a Service product designed to increase reach, engagement and monetization opportunities for media, sports and entertainment stakeholders.
Workfam – a gamified employee engagement platform
The Microsoft for Startups MEA GrowthX Accelerator program has grown from the 15 startups that participated in the first cohort.
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Microsoft is announcing the Developer Cloud Summit: Middle East and Africa 2022 technical conference scheduled to take place March 30, 2022. At 12 PM – 16:30 PM (GMT+4). The event will bring together speakers from across Microsoft, GitHub and the developer community. Where it will provide deep-dive learning opportunities and hands-on experience on trending and innovative platforms in the cloud.
The Developer Cloud Summit topics include Cloud Native futures, AI-based applications, Remote DevOps practices, Rapid Innovation methodology and best practices on modernizing legacy .Net & Java applications with new cloud capabilities. Learn about app migration and modernization, low code apps, coding in the cloud, GitHub Copilot and many more. There will also be a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the .Net platform.
Stormy Peters, VP of Communities GitHub will talk about “lessons we learned working with Open Source at Microsoft”. Whilst Jeff Hollan, Director of Product, Azure Apps, Microsoft, will dive into “build scalable apps faster than ever before”. Other speakers include Adir Ron, Cloud Application & Innovation, Middle East & Africa, Microsoft.
Microsoft says that an ecosystem of developers, innovators and open-source communities are teaming up to build together the future of technology in the current Cloud-Native era.
Click to visit the Cloud Summit: Middle East & Africa 2022 technical conference page for more details and to register.
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Microsoft and INJAZ Qatar launch Women Technopreneurs, a project to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into women’s entrepreneurship. The Women Technopreneurs project will focus on entrepreneurship with an emphasis on AI technology.
It will seek to increase the knowledge and qualification of young women in tech. So they can use these skills to benefit the integrated field of technology and business. Microsoft will provide AI knowledge and expertise to the participants in this project.
The project will select 30-40 young women, 18-30 years with an interest in a career in technology and AI from academic institutions in Qatar.
The selected participants will receive support, guidance, and assistance from experts, volunteers and members from Microsoft and INJAZ Qatar for 3 months. They will get the opportunity to improve and broaden their skill set. As well as gain hands-on experience and develop a strong work ethic.
Participants will team up to come up with business ideas that integrate Artificial Intelligence and compete against each other. The winning team will be enrolled in an accelerator program at the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Where they will receive intensive training and mentorship to turn their ideas into a commercially viable business.
Speaking at the launch event, Lana Khalaf, Country Manager at Microsoft Qatar said advanced cloud technologies like AI are driving new economic opportunities for the people of Qatar. Noting, It is vital to ensure everyone has access to these economic opportunities. That is why Microsoft is accelerating efforts to close the digital skills gap and promote inclusion and accessibility. The partnership with INJAZ Qatar to launch Women Technopreneurs comes in line with Microsoft’s commitment to empower young women to innovate, lead and succeed in an increasingly digital world.
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Microsoft is announcing the general availability of the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio in the United Arab Emirates(UAE). The devices are designed to promote innovation, enhance productivity and ensure safety and security. Organizations in the UAE will be able to purchase the new Microsoft Surface devices from authorized Microsoft device partners.
Launched last year, the company introduced the Surface Laptop Studio as a replacement to the Surface Book line. Microsoft also announced the latest model of its 2-in-1 devices the Surface Pro 8. With the Laptop Studio starting at $1599.99 and $1099.99 for the Pro 8.
Speaking about the devices coming to the UAE market, Business Group Director, Modern Work with Surface Microsoft UAE, Laura McDonald, notes “we’re excited to see organizations in the UAE flourish with these new innovations and unlock the potential of their workforce“.
She adds that with the introduction of the new Surface devices, the modern-day hybrid workplace will benefit the most. From secure technology that accelerates changes and enhances the entire work experience to take productivity to the next level.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 comes powered by Windows 11 and runs on an 11th-generation Intel CPU which lets open any professional Surface Pro drawing app. Sports a 13-inch 120Hz display, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a removable SSD. It has a vibrant display with a sharp webcam and is very slim and light. Click to read and check out the full device review on Pro 8.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
The 14.4″ Surface Laptop Studio runs on the latest quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core H Series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU. It has a screen resolution of 2400 x 1600 and 201 PPI maintaining the famous 3:2 aspect ratio. 16GB up to 32GB of RAM and removable SSD storage starting from 256GB up to 2TB. Battery life estimations show up to 19 hours of typical device usage. Click to see the full device specifications here. And check out the unboxing, first impression, and review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.
With the launch of the devices in the UAE, we can expect to see them in the Egypt and South Africa markets shortly. I expect to see them also launch by the end of April 2022.
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Etihad Airways plans to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is looking to use Microsoft technology. The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates is announcing a new partnership with Microsoft to leverage its tools and technologies to advance its sustainability goals.
The companies will work together to use advanced analytics and AI to measure and benchmark Etihad’s environmental footprint. This will allow the business to implement and assess carbon efficiency savings across its business operations. The collaboration will focus on the implementation of technologies that will turn data into actionable insights. Unlocking scenarios and use cases that will help Etihad reduce its carbon footprint and meet the net-zero goal.
“Innovation and sustainability are at the core of our business. Our continued partnership with Microsoft will support us in meeting our sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions. Both in the air through operational efficiencies, and on the ground. Through improvements in our back-office processes and technology infrastructure,” said Tony Douglas, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group.
“Etihad is aligned with the UAE’s mission to conserve and preserve our environment for generations to come and we have made significant progress over the last two years towards our ‘net-zero carbon emissions by 2050’ goal with our sustainability portfolio. We look forward to working closely with Microsoft to enhance these developments.”
Tony Douglas
Etihad and Microsoft have also committed to jointly identifying opportunities for collaboration. To achieve both organisations’ sustainability goals while building thought-leadership and further partnerships with organisations in the UAE and the region. This will further drive the national sustainability agenda and build a supportive technology ecosystem. That will allow organisations of all sizes to take carbon reduction measures based on data-driven insights.
“We are aligned with the UAE’s long-term sustainability goals and practices to accelerate growth responsibly. While fulfilling the nation’s ambitious objectives,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE.
“For more than a decade, Microsoft has been investing to reduce environmental impact while supporting the digital transformation of organisations around the world through cloud services. The commitments and investments we make are important steps in reducing our own environmental impact. But we recognize that the opportunity for positive change is greatest by empowering customers and partners to achieve their own sustainability goals. Therefore, this partnership with Etihad is incredibly exciting. By empowering more and more organizations with the right insights, we will be able to reach critical mass to reduce carbon emissions on a significant scale.”
Microsoft and Etihad Airways announced the first-ever in-house AI Academy in the Middle East earlier this year. The Etihad AI academy powered by Microsoft will look to revolutionise the way the airline serves its customers
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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
15 startups will participate in the first cohort of the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program. They will work to co-create technology solutions with partners such as Etihad Airways, Unilever, Flow, IKEA, KPMG and Akbank. The startups will spend 12-weeks of virtual and physical workshops and training in the United Arab Emirates. Thanks to Microsoft for Startups’ partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
Startups are now in the driver’s seat to fulfilling their potential says Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA. “Alongside our partners, we look forward to enabling our first cohort of B2B startups to compete at the highest level. And in hopes of transforming the region into a globally leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”
The accelerator program is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B startups across the Middle East and Africa. By connecting startups with large corporations with specific problem statements they are looking to solve. The 12-week program will empower the B2B startups with technology, mentoring and market access.
GrowthX Accelerator startups
Here are the 15 startups from across the Middle East and Africa region participating in the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program.
Spitch – a global provider of B2B and B2C Conversational AI solutions.
Gener8 – enables users to control and be rewarded from their own data.
Poltio – helps the world’s top brands engage and learn from their users with interactive content.
Getbee – an ecommerce platform that engages with customers on a more human and immersive level.
OPLOG – a pioneer in e-logistics, simplifying the cost, time and resources for supply chain operations.
Fero – shaping the future of digital freight with technology to automate the logistics industry,
Urbantz – a SaaS solution to transform last mile delivery and logistics across industries.
Hi55 – a digital payroll scheme to empower individuals and businesses with cashflow.
Nym Card – provides dynamic and secure building blocks for building fast and easy card programs.
Artiwise – an AI and NLP startup that provides cloud-based analytics solutions to enterprises.
B2Brain – delivers tailored analytics to automate research and intelligence to improve conversations.
Alpha Sense – an intelligence platform that helps businesses make data-driven decisions.
NexDegree –enables brick & mortar retail stores to improve customer experience and sales.
Udentify – reduces the need for manmade market research, utilizing body tracking technologies.
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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
