Microsoft for Startups hits big milestone, adds GitHub and Power Platform to mix

Startups are feeling the growth.

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What you need to know

Microsoftannounced a major milestonefor its Microsoft for Startups initiative, first launched in 2018. The company says that participants are now on pace to “close more than $1 billion in new sales opportunities over the next year.” In addition, Microsoft is adding two new benefits for participants.

Participating startups now have access to GitHub Enterprise, in addition to all of the other benefits that come with joining the program. Microsoft Power Platform, which “analyze data, build solutions, automate processes and create virtual agents,” is also set to be added to the program. GitHub Enterprise is available starting today, while Microsoft Power Platform will arrive “in the coming months,” Microsoft says.

Going forward, Microsoft says it is focused on three key areas:

Microsoft for Startups began in 2018 with a$500 million commitmentfrom Microsoft. The program aims to offer startups co-selling resources, technical support and development tools, along with free Azure credits.

In November, Microsoft announced that itteamed up with NVIDIAto give startups another boost. The two companies specifically targeted “cutting-edge” AI startups with a mix of benefits from Microsoft for Startups, along with “preferred access” to discounted technology, free credits for NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute’s online courses, discounts on NVIDIA systems, and more.

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter@DthorpLand Instagram@heyitsdtl.