Microsoft for Startups, a program that delivers access to technology, go-to-market and community benefits that helps startups grow their customer and revenue base, is launching in Estonia and Lithuania after a successful test run in Latvia. Microsoft is committing $500 million over the next two years to offer joint sales engagements with startups, along with access to technology, and new community spaces that promote collaboration across local and global ecosystems. With the program’s goal, support and partnership with TechChill that helps Microsoft meet startup communities in Baltics, startups with a potential can turn into the next Baltic success story such as Skype.
Rolands Ozolins presenting at Microsoft Innovation Center in Riga
“In the spring of this year, we presented a new support program for startups in Latvia, and now we aim to find the new unicorns in Baltics and support their journey into the global business. Microsoft has its offices in more than 120 countries and we have the luxury to consult startups on business development, as well as to support the sales process when it comes to ready products”, shares Renate Strazdina, Microsoft Baltics General Manager.
The program in Latvia was launched this spring and turned out to be very successful. One of the startups, Pilot Automotive Labs, has received Azure credits to work on their product and bring safer and more efficient personal transportation saving time and mitigating traffic to everyone. There are already many startups that incorporate Azure Cloud services to continue the development of created solutions and products, and Microsoft is excited to see these startups and founders across the global business environment.To make the best of the Microsoft for Startups, company is collaborating with experienced partners that supports Microsoft to connect business world with the startup ecosystems, for example, ALSO Latvia is sharing their technical support and expertise, Lux Technologies as an example of how to develop the business and grow the company outside the Baltic states, IBD Consulting with sales and business development knowledge, Blue Dom Capital venture capital fund and many more.
The program is launched in close partnership with TechChill, the biggest startup event in the Baltics which gathers promising startup founders, business executives and tech enthusiasts in Riga every February. As the local startup organization with one of the largest startup community networks in Baltics, TechChill helps build bridges between experienced business representatives and startup builders to support the partner program and helps to interact with the startups.
IBD Consulting mission is to deliver business growth to technology companies. We feel excited to share our knowledge of strategy, b2b marketing and lead generation, experience and passion for growth with start-up ecosystem in our home region – Baltics.