Microsoft for Startups Launches In Dhaka

Things are happening for startups in Dhaka. Microsoft, the US technology giant, has launched its Microsoft for Startups program that delivers access to technology, go-to-market, and community benefits and helps startups grow their customer and revenue base, in Dhaka. Lathika S Pai, Country Head, Microsoft for StartUps, Middle-East & North Africa (MENA) and SAARC, and Sonia Bashir Kabir, Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and Laos were present at the launching ceremony of the program in Dhaka and the networking session organized in collaboration with Torun Digital.

The project aims to work closely with local startups in Dhaka and connect them to Microsoft’s partners and technical support and other opportunities.

The program has components such as ‘Microsoft ScaleUp’, which is an immersive global program that offers late-stage and series A startups who have the greatest propensity to take advantage of Microsoft’s growth programs, such as co-marketing and co-selling opportunities, hone their infrastructure and build their businesses. The program works with B2B startups. Through the program, after the initial selection, startups are analyzed by specialists who improve the business strategy and structure for sustainability by identifying the problems and solving them.

What you need to know:

• Microsoft for Startups is going to be the first international tech giant program to launch in Dhaka. Google has a similar program called Google for Entrepreneurs and it does not have an operation in Dhaka yet.
• Microsoft for Startups website says it takes a unique approach to connect qualified startups with new customers and channel partners within Microsoft network.
• Under the program, Microsoft has a co-working space program called Microsoft Reactors. However, it has not mentioned anything about whether they would open up space in Dhaka
• It has an accelerator program called Microsoft ScaleUp “that offers late-stage and series A startups who have the greatest propensity to take advantage of Microsoft’s growth programs, such as co-marketing and co-selling opportunities, hone their infrastructure and build their businesses.”
• And a venture capital wing called Microsoft Ventures that invest in late-stage startups in Series A and D

Microsoft launched Microsoft for Startups early this year with a commitment to invest $500 million over the next two years to offer joint sales engagements with startups, along with access to technology, and community spaces that promote collaboration across local and global ecosystems. The program currently has operations in 23 countries.

Update on October 4th at 10:57 PM: This article has been updated with new information