Microsoft looks to bolster startup ecosystem

Bengaluru: Tech giant Microsoft on Monday said it was well poised to help startups embrace the next phase of growth with its cutting-edge technology platform, M12, a partner organisation of Microsoft.

"The introduction of M12, Microsoft's venture fund in India is creating a new value for startups, venture capitals and the company itself to maintain the pace and direction of innovation," Microsoft India president Anant Maheshwari said.

He said the tech firm has been playing a vital role in shaping and nurturing the startup community in India and across the world. "With our intelligent tech expertise, deep focus on trust and unique global go to market partnering, we empower unicorns and startups to scale sustainably at a global level.

We remain excited about India's entrepreneurial startup potential and will continue to accelerate it as a growth engine for the economy," Maheshwari told reporters here.

The Microsoft India president said his company's partner organisation played a critical role in making startups enterprise ready and has been evolving its approach from 'partnering to partnership', where partners build solutions on top of Microsoft's technology platform, adding value for customers, and creating new revenue opportunities.