Microsoft, the American tech giant launched its 100X100X100 program aimed at business-to-business SaaS startups. Announcing the program, Microsoft said that 100X100X100 will bring together 100 companies and 100 early and growth startups and each committed company will spend $100,000 over a course of 18 months.
Anant Maheshwari, President of Microsoft India confirming the news said, “This initiative will help build scale and create amazing opportunities for startups. Businesses can now fast-track their digital journeys through easy adoption of enterprise-grade solutions.”
Each of the startups participating in the program will get an access prospective customer at Microsoft industry along with its customer events. Apart from this, the participating companies will also get access to Microsoft’s technology platform, and guidance to fine tune their business as well as their expansion models.
This isn’t the first attempt to elevate India’s startup market, the company previously runs Microsoft for Startups which allows early stage B2B startups to use Azure marketplace platform. Along with this, the company has also expanded its corporate venture fund – M12 for Indian Market.
The move was taken as the company’s global rivals – Google and Amazon are also helping numerous Indian startups by sponsoring events, credits to use their services with an idea of getting these startups onboard as customers and in turn using their solutions for tens of thousands of other customers.
At a recent SaaS focused event, Godard Abel, Chief Executive of Business Marketplace G2 said, “India was already among the top five nations for active participations for development of new business services.” There has been speculation in the market that company may come up with many announcements in coming days as Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella will appear at company’s flagship conference in India.
