Microsoft, G7CR Partner To Bring $3 Mn In Benefits For Indian Startups, SMEs

Bengaluru-based tech and service company G7CR Technologies has announced the launch of the ‘SSB 360 programme’ in partnership with global tech giant Microsoft. The programme provides opportunities for startups and small enterprises to receive benefits of up to $3 Mn.

To apply for ‘SSB 360’ programme, the startups should be established for at least ten years with revenue below INR 100 Cr. The companies can also register via a toll-free number (1-800-582-3617). The eligible startups will then be shortlisted by a team of experts from G7CR.

According to a press statement, the startups which are selected in this programme will get access to capital, building competency (technical and leadership) and technology among others. Moreover, the joint initiative between G7CR and Microsoft is expected to provide a unique opportunity for startups to leverage Microsoft products, platforms and the market reach to scale up their business.

G7CR was founded in 2012, by Christopher Richard and offers free support, monitoring and governance services for cloud deployment, and hardware buyback program among others. Currently, it claims to offer services to over 800+ businesses across India.

Rajiv Sodhi, executive director of SMB, startup and partner ecosystem at Microsoft, said that the company is committed to nurturing India’s emerging startup ecosystem. “With our tech expertise, focus on trust and global go-to-market partnerships, we empower startups and small businesses to scale sustainably,” added Sodhi.

He further said that India is home to the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Through ‘SSB 360 initiative’ the two companies plan to offer startups a larger strategic engagement platform.

Microsoft Scaleup Programme 

Last month, the tech giant held an accelerator programme Microsoft Scaleup, under its Microsoft for Startups, where it declared to support 18 startups to help them by providing world-class technology, mentorship and other community benefits. Through this programme, Microsoft claimed to have helped startups right from its product development stage to exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and blockchain among others.

Some of the startups that were selected in this programme include Finbox, Let’s Venture, Paanini, Edge Networks, PickMe, Worxogo and Bionic Yantra among others.

Microsoft In Collaboration Mode 

In October 2019, Microsoft announced to partner with Reliance Jio to empower small businesses in India in their cloud journey. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had said that the organisations need a distributed computing fabric to meet its real-world operational sovereignty and regulatory needs. In August 2019, Reliance Jio had also announced a partnership with Microsoft by offering three types of cloud services to its customers — private, public and hybrid.

Nadella said, “Every Fortune 500 customer today is on a cloud migration journey, and we are making it faster and easier.”

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