SIIC IIT Kanpur, Microsoft tie up to support startups

The MoU exchange between Microsoft and SIIC has launched the “Azure Society of Excellence” -- a joint effort to support startups with their business plan and product development journey. 

Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), the technology business incubator at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has joined hands with Microsoft to launch the “Azure Society of Excellence”.  The two enterprises have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the programme.  

Under the programme, SIIC and Microsoft will work together to support the startups by extending mentorship, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The programme will also enable access to ‘Founder’s Hub’- a talent-employability programme for the future-ready startups in SIIC. 

The collaboration will help startups at IIT Kanpur to avail of benefits of Microsoft Software and services, access to GitHub, M365 resources, training, and skilling on Azure, mentors network, which includes exclusive access to Microsoft leadership and expert guidance from Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVP), Azure Influencers, and startup founders.  

The Microsoft Mentor Network will also lend their support to provide expert feedback and advice on topics ranging from product roadmap to business plans and facetime with high-value VCs. Under the programme, the startups from the institute will also get access to flexible, scalable resources such as API Integration with GitHub, visits to Microsoft Tech Centre in Bengaluru for demonstration of tech value and scheduled in-person/online sessions. Furthermore, they can access Microsoft ISV – Independent Software Vendors, and opportunities to work with Microsoft, and list on the Microsoft Marketplace. 

Himani Agrawal, Country Head, Azure, Microsoft India, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with SIIC, IITK, which will further enhance our respective startup acceleration efforts to provide an environment with the right support and structures and enable innovators to scale faster.” 

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