Microsoft has announced a plan to promote cooperation between startups and business leaders while accelerating the development of artificial intelligence (AI) through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO).
Additionally, the project will mark the start of Microsoft’s strategic partnership with NVIDIA, which aims to accelerate the development of AI startups in Africa.
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This announcement follows the success of the Microsoft African Companies AI Fest in South Africa earlier this year and included participation from the NVIDIA Inception program, which serves as a platform for companies to meet industry experts, investors and partners potential.
“We are pleased to offer AI startups in Africa the resources and support they need to succeed,” says Gerald Maithya, general manager of Microsoft’s Africa transformation office. “Our collaboration with NVIDIA Inception will help startup founders leverage Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, AI tools and go-to-market support. This will help them overcome challenges such as scaling their solutions globally and accessing a wider customer base. We look forward to welcoming local entrepreneurs in this exciting initiative to shape the future of AI in Africa,” he added.
With the highest average entrepreneurship rate Worldwide and with significant growth in investment, innovation is flourishing. Already, more than 2,400 AI startups in Africa are transforming industries and creating new job opportunities at a rapid pace.
Collaboration with NVIDIA Inception
The initiative aims to accelerate this momentum by providing African startups with the support and resources they need to grow through a collaboration with NVIDIA Inception, a free global program that supports cutting-edge startups with access to resources technology, experts and connection opportunities. with venture capitalists.
Lessons learned from local successes such as Taimbaan agritech startup that transforms the agricultural supply chain by directly connecting rural smallholders with urban retailers, and Zendawaa telehealth service provider that is revolutionizing pharmacy operations by providing online access to medications and financial solutions for pharmacies. Pesawisea financial technology innovator, will also show how it is improving secure and efficient payment services, leveraging tools like Azure and GitHub to transform the financial landscape in East Africa.
The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub has already proven instrumental in supporting more than 14,000 African startups. Across the continent, startups like Snark Health, AibancAnd PCS Agri benefited and were able to expand their operations.
Entrepreneurs will benefit from mentorship, access to Microsoft Azure and GitHub, go-to-market support, technical resources and networking opportunities to export their solutions globally. They will also learn about cutting-edge AI technologies and have multiple opportunities to network and collaborate.
The Microsoft Africa Development Center in Nairobi will support the collaborations by providing AI training to developers through virtual sessions and hosting a workshop hosted by NVIDIA to provide startups with guidance on generative AI tools and leveraging AI and computer resources for scaling.