Microsoft unveils Startup Founders Hub for ANZ

Microsoft has launched a new startup founders hub in Australia and New Zealand to help empower these businesses and fuel innovation to drive economic and societal progress.

The hub called Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub offers over $400,000 worth of benefits and credits for startups giving them access to the technology, tools and resources they need.

Startups will have free access to platforms including GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise and Microsoft 365.

According to the company, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is designed specifically for early-stage startups to lower the barriers of business creation, be a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, and contribute to easing the journey from an idea to a unicorn.

It is available to all startups in Australia and New Zealand, including those without third-party backing, as part of Microsoft’s commitment to empower startups’ ambitions to drive innovation from Australia and New Zealand to the world.

Rachel Bondi, chief partner officer, Microsoft ANZ said, “Put simply, the launch of this new platform democratises our resources and technology including offering expert mentorship.

"We specifically know that scale-ups are playing a pivotal role given their ability to push the entire ecosystem forward. We’ve seen this in our region many times with unique industry solutions, which have become some of our biggest SaaS partners and are now scaling globally.”

Microsoft said it has continued to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to Australia and New Zealand’s startup ecosystem and founders.

This has included a multi-year partnership with global startup platform She Loves Tech, announced last year, to provide women-led startups in the community with access to Microsoft technologies, dedicated programs and global ecosystem.

Microsoft also expanded Project Amplify, in collaboration with Accenture to support startups across Asia focused on sustainability and social impact, with hands-on support and technologies, mentoring and collaboration opportunities.

Bondi said, “We’re in constant conversation with founders and we aim to create and maintain a healthy ecosystem where they can thrive.

“We’ve designed this new platform for them to be successful especially when they’re scaling so we can offer them the confidence to push through barriers, accept risks and instil a sense of optimism in what’s possible.”