Microsoft to help local startups go global

Microsoft has recently launched its 'Microsoft ScaleUp' programme in Bangladesh to provide opportunities to local startups to go global.

The initiative aims to connect promising local startups to the Microsoft marketplace to connect them globally, said the company in a statement yesterday. 

The programme will also provide deep technological support, mentoring, and community assistance to the startups. The statement said Microsoft reiterated its commitment to Bangladesh's startup community as part of its global programme, which has committed $500 million in investment across the globe over the next two years.

The programme will offer joint sales engagement opportunities with Microsoft, along with access to Microsoft technology, credits and mentorship. In the statement, Lathika S Pai, country head of Microsoft for StartUps, said Bangladesh has a promising startup ecosystem.

“There are startups on education, healthcare, power, event management, food delivery, Internet of Things, agro-services and together they can provide solutions to most of the existing problems in Bangladesh.”

Pai said Microsoft was here to improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem and scale up their business by helping these potential startups.

“At Microsoft, we aim to help individuals and organisations on the planet achieve more, and as part of the mission we will provide support to select enterprise-ready startups from Bangladesh and help them scale up through this immersive programme.”

Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos, said the programme was very relevant for Bangladesh as it has several startups doing commendable work and being funded by foreign venture capital firms.

“As part of our programme, we will select promising enterprise-ready local startups, guide them to comply with global standards and connect them to a global marketplaces and global investors.”

“Our aim is to get these startups to unicorns ($1 billion valuation).”