Second edition of the program aims to connect companies that use technology to solve important societal challenges with mentoring sessions, new tools and other resources to support their businesses.
Registration closes until March 15th
Microsoft is open for registration for the second edition of the Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact (EFPI) program. Aimed at startups that use technology to solve important problems and have a positive impact on society, the program offers those selected access to technology, education, networking, donations and benefits such as mentoring and coaching. Registration is completely free and can be done from today, February 23rd, until March 15th on this link.
Launching in 2023, Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact seeks projects that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality education (SDG 4), Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), Action against global change climate change (SDG 13) and Peace, justice and effective institutions (SDG 16). On the last year, nine startups were selected with work in areas such as accessibility, sustainability, combating social inequality, among others.
“In the first year of the project in Brazil, we were able to connect innovative ideas to the technologies, partners and resources necessary to leverage them. We are very happy and looking forward to discovering new ideas for social impact this year”, says Lucia Rodrigues, Philanthropy leader at Microsoft Brazil.
Requirements for participation
In addition to aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), interested startups need to be involved in developing a product or service based on proprietary, unlicensed software. Startups must be a privately held, for-profit business. Companies at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series AC (or equivalent) stage will be accepted.
The program will not receive applications from educational institutions, government entities, personal blogs, dev shops, consultancies, agencies, bitcoin or cryptocurrency mining companies. Startups that have already been enrolled in a Microsoft for Startups program previously also do not qualify for this selection.
Benefits offered to selected startups
The Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact (EFPI) program offers different advantages to chosen projects. Firstly, companies will be able to sign up for Microsoft's Founders Hub for Startups and access all of its resources, as well as benefits offered by EFPI's global and regional teams.
At a global level, visibility, amplification and highlighting events will be promoted for entrepreneurs with budgetary support and certified technical partners. At a regional level, companies will have access to innovative initiatives, partnerships, accelerators, product launch strategies (Go-To-Market) and community activities.
Among the participants’ gains are:
- Up to US$ 150K in Azure credits, including solutions like Azure Open AI
- US$ 2.5 thousand in credits for Open AI tools
- Free access to trusted development tools, including GitHub
- Free collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams
- Startup mentor network (only for >$500/month)
- Azure technical consultancy (only for >$500/month)
- Mentoring and coaching programs
- Community building and networking. Including ecosystem connectivity tools and Go-To-Market capabilities.
Service:
What? Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact (EFPI) Applications
When? Until March 15th
Who can sign up? Startups that use technology for social impact and meet program requirements
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