Microsoft has officially opened its shuttle for startups from Spain in early stages and that do not yet have third-party financing. Its about Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program, in charge of connecting startups that are in the growth phase (from phases A to C) with a large number of the main Microsoft clients. Among other measures, Pegasus offers up to $350,000 in Azure credits, GitHub (including OpenAi Service and its APIs) and LinkedIn. It will also offer the support of advisors to the startups that participate in the program.
To enter it, companies that wish to do so must be a member of the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, Microsoft’s program for entrepreneurs. It is specifically aimed at companies that are in their early stages of life and that need support to scale up a project. It is an extension of the Founders Hub platform, and is designed for companies in sectors such as cybersecurity, retail, health and Artificial Intelligence.
Pegasus from Microsoft for Startups offers companies various technology solutions, a network of mentors, and expertise to ease them into their next phase of development, where they will be ready to market their product or service, and to connect with other companies. This program is also in charge of identifying potential clients for the startup, who have the needs that they can cover with their tools and technologies. These potential clients will be offered the solutions of the program’s startups, with the aim of helping them grow and gain clients.
At this time, the shuttle is aimed exclusively at startups that receive an invitation to participate. The companies that receive it are selected through the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub community, and receive everything they need to have more sales and growth opportunities, as well as to launch their products on the market. To achieve the latter, the startups will work with Microsoft financial experts, as well as have access to their sales channels so they can market their solutions to their thousands of customers.
On the other hand, in addition to the credits to use services from different areas and Microsoft products, the launcher startups will also have the assistance of a cloud solutions architect (CSA), who will provide technical support to improve the use of technology. in the cloud they use. Among the technical resources needed to accelerate their business that they will be able to take advantage of are Azure AI offerings, to which they will have priority access.
In its pilot stage, the Pegasus program has already offered support to more than 100 startups, with deals reaching an average of $350,000. In total, the participating companies have achieved close to a million dollars in agreements.
Manuel Cortizo, Director of ISVs and Startups at Microsoft Spainhas stressed that the company is committed to entrepreneurs «in help them do even more by offering technological support designed specifically for them. In addition, we strive to become a strategic partner, to provide startups with the necessary resources to obtain more business opportunities.. TOLeveraging the understanding and production capabilities of the cloud and Artificial Intelligence is a starting point for start-ups. Embracing this vision and these technologies at an early stage can boost your competitiveness, foster innovation and unlock new models of efficiency.”.
