Microsoft are committing $500M 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. Startups are recognised as an indisputable innovation engine, and Microsoft is partnering with founders and investors to help propel their growth.
For Microsoft to engage with startups offering cloud solutions here in Lithuania they have chosen to partner with Blockchain Centre Vilnius as an ecosystem provider and qualifier.
"Our role will be two-fold, firstly, we have access to startups and entrepreneurs' through our blockchain ecosystem and are in constant communications with the brightest and best of what Lithuania has to offer. Secondly, we will act as a qualifier and filter on behalf of Microsoft to those organisations wishing to access the premium offer by performing information checks and more in-depth analysis of the project and team." Eglė Nemeikštytė, CEO, Blockchain Centre Vilnius.
A major benefit for startups qualifying through the Blockchain Centre Process will be the unique approach Microsoft are taking to connecting qualified startups with new customers and channel partners.
Microsoft has over 40,000 sales representatives and hundreds of thousands of partners whose goal is to drive adoption of Microsoft cloud solutions into companies of all sizes and industries worldwide. The program provides dedicated resources to prepare startup marketing and sales teams to effectively sell their cloud solutions to enterprise organisations in partnership with Microsoft's global sales organisation and partner ecosystem.
"We aim to find new unicorns in the Baltics and support their journey into 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", Renate Strazdina, Microsoft Baltics Country Manager.
If successful - the premium program will provide startups with up to $120,000 in free Azure credits, enterprise grade technical support and development tools – supporting the languages of their choice, such as Node.js, Java and .NET. In addition, qualified startups also get access to productivity and business applications, including Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The package is clearly very attractive to startups, and Microsoft are positioning themselves with future work trends in mind. Through supporting the startup ecosystem more robustly, globally, and here in Lithuania they are ultimately feeding the startups that will eventually bring innovation and market leading ideas to market under the Microsoft banner.
About Blockchain Centre Vilnius
Blockchain Centre Vilnius
Green Hall
Level 7, 23 Upės str.
Vilnius LT-08128
Bcgateway.eu
A unique place for blockchain entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and regulators from around the world to share ideas, know-how, and best practices, Blockchain Centre Vilnius is your one-stop shop for education, events, technical, legal, and financial advisory services, with a special focus on helping blockchain startups reach their business goals. We believe, just as the internet has fundamentally changed the way we communicate and do business, blockchain technology will revolutionise the ways in which we store and exchange information and value.