Microsoft is announcing that applications for its GrowthX Accelerator Program is now open to startups with ground-breaking solutions. The program under Microsoft for Startups initiative hopes to bridge the gap between corporates with challenges and startups with solutions.
It is part of a larger strategic partnership between Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). To accelerate opportunities in the emirate for startups. The program will empower B2B startups with technology, mentoring and market access.
The GrowthX Accelerator Program will include 12-weeks of virtual and physical workshops and training. Mentorship from domain experts, technical support and guidance and social and alumni events. As well as a series of “demo days” and networking events. Where startups can showcase their visions to both venture capitalists and Microsoft’s regional customers.
“Startups are essential to any economy. They catalyse innovation and new technologies that drive tremendous impact for all. Abu Dhabi is focused on creating a nurturing environment for startups and acting as a launchpad for them to bring fresh ideas to life here, make the most of opportunities across the region and scale globally,” said H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO. “As the founding partner of the GrowthX Accelerator, we are excited to work with Microsoft to unlock Abu Dhabi and the region’s rich economic potential. And empower these homegrown innovators with the tools they need in order to succeed in the new digital economy.”
Kindly click here to apply now or find out more about the Microsoft for Startups GrowthX Accelerator program. Application ends on the 7th of July 2021 with the cohort starting August to November 2021.
“Across the region, Microsoft customers across all industries and sizes are hungry for innovative solutions that will empower them to compete in what is now a truly global digital economy,” says Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA.
“The global Microsoft for Startups program was created to support the creators of these solutions and connect them with the technology and purposeful partnerships they need to succeed. Our work with Abu Dhabi Investment Office on the GrowthX Accelerator program will lay important groundwork for that vision in the region by working to transform Abu Dhabi and the region into a global technology and entrepreneurship hub.”
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Microsoft UAE is showcasing how it supports sustainable farming with AI and IoT at 40th GITEX Technology Week in Dubai.
Using AI, Edge and IoT, Microsoft’s agricultural solution FarmBeats built on Azure enables data-driven farming to maximize agricultural output.
This data-driven farming entails using data visualizations, analytics and machine learning. The results; it creates automated recommendations on water usage and soil quality. That the company notes help during challenging conditions.
This is part of Microsoft’s AI for good global initiative to support sustainable farming practices and contribute to food security.
Located at H6-D20, Hall 6, a Microsoft Hub has been set up to offer attendees an opportunity to discover and experience Microsoft technology and innovations.
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Sayed Hashish, GM Microsoft UAE showing Microsoft technology innovations at the Microsoft Hub at GITEX Technology Week 2020.
Microsoft notes that governments are now reimagining a more positive world. As such the company is investing alongside them into critical technological infrastructure to solve pressing challenges.
Speaking to the media, Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE notes there will be a need to feed nine to ten billion people by 2050. “This will require a significant increase in food production. However, there is a limited amount of additional arable land, and water levels have also been receding. Cloud technology may prove crucial to address this agricultural challenge,” he continues.
Microsoft invites leaders of organizations across the Middle East and Africa to join its Reimagine Tomorrow virtual summit to explore ways to adapt, reinvent and transform using technology. The virtual conference will take place on July 7 and 8 2020.
Noting these are unprecedented moments, the company is inviting leaders at all levels to what it calls, “explore the art of the possible“. Microsoft shares that “technology will be a key ally in re-booting enterprise” as countries start preparing for the post-Covid-19 era.
The event will feature session tracks in HR, CIO, CFO, CMO, Retail, Telecommunications, Financial Services Industry, Education, Energy, Mining and Manufacturing.
The event invitation form Microsoft reads;
This is your exclusive invite to join the Microsoft Re-imagine Tomorrow virtual summit, where we will explore the art of the possible for you and your business, and start to move forward, together!
Lillian Barnard, Managing Director, Microsoft South Africa will lead the keynote session. Peter DeBenedictis, CMO Microsoft MEA, Gavin Holme, Services Lead Microsoft South Africa and other Microsoft and Microsoft Partner executives will lead various sessions over the two days.
Visit the Reimagine Tomorrow Virtual Summit event page to register for free and participate.
UNICEF is bringing its Learning Passport platform powered by Microsoft to the youth of Jordan. To help them continue their learning and skills development at home amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The platform offers courses in advanced coding and software development, Microsoft Arabic digital literacy courses, life skills, social entrepreneurship and English language.
UNICEF Learning Passport is free and provides content in both online and offline formats. The launch in Jordan means it is the first version to be launched in Arabic and in the Middle East Region.
Through our partnership with UNICEF and The University of Cambridge on the Learning Passport, we are able to rapidly provide a locally-relevant remote learning solution. That ensures continuous access to education for millions of youth in Jordan says Roula Chehab, Microsoft Jordan Country Manager.
“At Microsoft, our priority has been to find ways for technology to improve people’s lives and bring the promise of technology to those who are most at risk of being left behind in this era of digital transformation. Our focus includes closing the skills gap and ensuring that our solutions benefit all youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. Unlocking this potential for all students to learn through immersive and inclusive learning experiences.”
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Microsoft’s Director of Operations and Marketing for the Middle East and Africa, Jaime Galviz, is taking up a new role in the company. He is now going to head the company’s operations in Colombia.
Starting July 1st Jamie will steer affairs as General Manager for Microsoft in Colombia.
“It is a pleasure and honor to be back home and join our talented team in Colombia. To continue Microsoft’s mission to empower organizations and individuals to achieve more. Our country has enormous potential and at this critical moment, our work in partnership with our partners, government, educational entities and the private sector is even more important to drive and sustain digital transformation in our key industries, foster our great local talent and strengthen Microsoft’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”
He spent about eight year in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in various roles. First serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft Gulf. Then moving on to become the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for the MEA region.
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A home for global talent and ambitious innovators, Microsoft Reactor.
Microsoft brings its startup and developer community hubs program, Microsoft Reactor, to the United Arab Emirates. The new Microsoft Reactor will be hosted by Hub71 and located in Abu Dhabi.
Microsoft shares that like all of its reactors, it will be a center for technical learning and knowledge-sharing for developers and startup professionals. The hub will be home to the Microsoft for Startups program in the region. Supporting startups build and scale their companies. This will bring the number of reactors globally to eleven. With Tel Aviv, Israel hosting the other reactor in the Middle East and Africa Region.
“As a partner of Hub71 Abu Dhabi, we are firmly committed to the Middle East region as it continues its journey to digitally transform and innovate“. Shares Scott Guthrie, Executive VP of Microsoft’s Cloud + AI Division. “We’re helping to create a home for global talent and ambitious innovators looking to this region for opportunity“.
The initiative is in collaboration with Hub71, Mubadala Investment Company, SoftBank Vision Fund and Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Hub71 and Startups
Microsoft will provide a curriculum to startup residents of Hub71. Strengthening expertise around emerging topics such as cloud services and Artificial Intelligence.
Seventeen new startups, emerging as recent winners of the Hub71 Incentive Program will benefit from the program. Hub71 will now have a total of 35 startups in its ecosystem.
We are thrilled to open a Microsoft Reactor within Hub71 says Jeana Jorgensen, General Manager, Cloud and AI Division at Microsoft. “Built to support the Gulf’s unprecedented rate of digital transformation, Microsoft recently invested in two datacenters in the UAE. The concentration of globally minded startups, investors and industry, represents an enormous opportunity. We believe bringing these elements together with Mubadala and Hub71 will be a catalyst for the region“.
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