Microsoft To Launch "Highway to a Hundred Unicorns” In India To Mentor Startups In Tier 2 Cities

Earlier this week, Microsoft launched "Highway to a Hundred Unicorns,” a new initiative to help support and mentor startups based in India's tier 2 cities. This program is in collaboration with Gujarat’s Industrial Extension Bureau and the Industries Commissionerate. The first event has had 250 startups attended.

According to Microsoft, its aim is to work with entrepreneurs and innovators through several programs in tier 2 cities in India, as well as collaborate with the government to reinforce the startup ecosystem.

Some of the hurdles preventing startups from scaling are the lack of mentorship from experienced players in the ecosystem and the absence of cutting-edge technology support.

Via workshops on AI, machine learning, and Azure, startups will get mentorship and guidance. The top startups of “Emerge 10-Gujarat” will be rewarded with Azure credits and some selected ones will have the chance to pitch to gain access to Microsoft "ScaleUp" program.

Participating in this program will bring lots of benefits to entrepreneurs and innovators as it will choose B2C tech-enabled startups to work with Microsoft sales teams to co-sell, supports Seed or Series A funded B2B, as well as provide mentorship from the ecosystem of startups.

According to Microsoft, it has a unique position to aid startups in India to advance from market-ready to enterprise-ready.