Microsoft partners with ISRO: Microsoft plans to collaborate with the Indian space agency to give Indian space tech startups free access to cloud tools, the two said Thursday, the latest in the U.S. tech giant’s attempts to deepen its ties with young firms in the South Asian market.
Highlights of Microsoft-ISRO Collaboration
Microsoft partners with ISRO after signing an MoU to empower space tech startups across India with technology tools and platforms, go-to-market support, and mentoring
Spacetech startup founders in India will now have free access to various tech tools and resources for their business operations through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Spacetech startups in the country are taking big strides, with the likes of Agnikul, GalaxEye Space, and Skyroot raising funding over the past few months. Microsoft partners with ISRO!!!
An Initiative to Help Space-Tech Startups in INDIA
Weeks after India successfully tested its first privately-developed rocket, Microsoft partnered with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to support the country’s space tech startups. On Thursday, a memorandum of understanding was signed to boost space technology startups across the country.
Under the new deal, space technology start-ups identified by Isro will be included in the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub platform. The platform supports startups at every stage of their journey from an idea to a unicorn. This opportunity gives startup founders free access to the technical tools and resources they need to build and run their businesses.
Microsoft also provides mentoring support to founders. B. Areas of cloud technology, products and design, financing, sales, and marketing. Last but not least, the founder can also visit her Microsoft Learn to learn technical skills.
In addition, founders will have access to Microsoft Learn for tailored start-up-centric training content and programs to help them build connections with the industry and potential customers. Microsoft partners with ISRO
Microsoft’s Growing Focus On India
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, who is on a visit to India, appreciated the rate at which India is producing public digital goods.
“From healthcare, and personal identification to payments, India has truly led the world in digital adoption,” said Nadella while speaking at the Microsoft Future Ready Technology summit in Bengaluru on Thursday.
In a tweet, Nadella also shared a picture of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It’s inspiring to see the government’s deep focus on sustainable and inclusive economic growth led by digital transformation and we’re looking forward to helping India realize the Digital India vision and be a light for the world,” the India-born CEO wrote.
Highlighting the importance of the Indian market for Microsoft during the event, Nadella stated that the tech giant will continue to invest in India. He said that Microsoft already has over 200 centers in India, along with three Microsoft regions, and it will come up with a fourth region soon.
What did the Microsoft India President say?
Anant Maheshwari, the president of Microsoft India said on Microsoft partners with ISRO, “Space-tech startups in India are playing a significant role in advancing the country’s space capabilities with the power of technology. We are pleased to collaborate with ISRO to accelerate this transformation of what’s possible in space. Through our technology tools, platforms, and mentorship opportunities, we are deeply committed to empowering space-tech startups in the country to drive cutting-edge innovation and accelerate scientific discovery”.
As part of the agreement of Microsoft partners with ISRO, they will also provide mentoring support to space tech entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technologies, product and design, fundraising, and sales and marketing. The startups will also get access to Microsoft Learn for tailored startup-centric training content and programs to help them build connections with the industry and potential customers.
Meanwhile, leadership sessions will also be organized sessions for startups with space industry experts.
Indian space tech startups are having a moment
In June 2020, the Indian government passed the space sector reforms and established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) to allow private companies to use ISRO’s infrastructure. The government also set up NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) as the commercial arm of the space agency to work closely with private companies and startups.
In November last year, ISRO successfully launched the Vikram-S after much anticipation in a boost to the private sector. The Vikram-S, developed by four-year-old startup Skyroot Aerospace, is a single-stage, spin-stabilized solid-propellant rocket with a mass of around 550 kilograms. It carries three customer payloads, including one from a customer outside India.
The South Asian nation has 111 space startups registered on the In-SPACe platform, per an official response shared in the upper house of the country’s parliament in December.
While startups such as GIC-backed Skyroot Aerospace and Rocketship. VC-invested Agnikul is into developing launch vehicles, Blume Ventures, Lightspeed Partners-backed Pixxel, and ANIC-ARISE and Kalaari Capital-invested Digantara are building satellites. Indian space startups raised over $245.35 million, with $108.52 million infused in 2022 alone, according to the data shared by the Indian Space Association (ISA) with Hindustan Time.
The MoU of Microsoft partners with ISRO, Microsoft has made scores of announcements in India this week as chief executive Satya Nadella visits the South Asian market. The company said earlier this week that HDFC Bank and Yes Bank have signed up to use Azure and other Microsoft cloud services.
Microsoft partners with ISRO!!!
Microsoft partners with ISRO!!!
Microsoft partners with ISRO!!!
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