Rinchi
TechInAfrica – Microsoft is extending its Cloud Accelerator Program to eight countries including Kenya, South Africa, India, Canada, Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The six-month program is designed to help women start and build their businesses using Microsoft and its cloud distribution channels.
To succeed the program, Microsoft will partner with IdeaGen and Women in Cloud, providing women-owned tech companies across the countries with access to the cloud technology, mentorship, networking communities, as well as resources so that they can bring their innovation to market.
Cited from Africabusinesscommunities.com, Charlotte Yarkoni, Microsoft’s Corporate President of Cloud + AI, explained: “Through a multi-million-dollar, multi-year investment from Microsoft, it is our goal that with this expansion and continued scaling, this program can help generate $1B in cloud opportunity by providing accessible cloud technology to more than 1,000 women-led tech companies annually, enabling them to scale their businesses for sustainable economic growth in all corners of the world.”
Microsoft’s Cloud Accelerator Program is one of the key initiatives in the Women in Cloud, a community-led initiative built in 2017. The initiative helps to empower women-led tech companies to achieve growth through cloud solutions and services.
“We’re excited to build on the program’s previous success. To date, the Women in Cloud Accelerator has provided opportunities to 30 women-owned companies, accelerating businesses such as Stylyze, Meylah, Genneve Health, and Automaton, while developing more than $30M of Cloud pipeline at its start,” said Yarkoni.
Yarkoni furthermore explained that Microsoft is committed to supporting women leaders through these initiatives, providing both women in tech as well as those who just starting to develop their businesses in the industry with mentorship and inspiration. Hopefully, through these initiatives, the companies will be able to address technology challenges with diverse perspectives.
“As a woman and a leader at Microsoft, I’m proud of these initiatives, many of which have been established and are supported by women leaders within our organization,” added Yarkoni.
Source: africabusinesscommunities.com
