Start, build and grow

with Microsoft

Make Microsoft part

of your startup team

Start. Build. Grow.

From pitch to launch and beyond: we support innovative startups every step of the way.

Contents

START

Step 1: Rethink how Microsoft can help……………….

Step 2: Access a network of people and resources….

BUILD

Step 3: Build on solid foundations……………………….

Step 4: Get expert help and advice……………………….

GROW

Step 5: Go to market with Microsoft…………………….

Step 6: Find the right talent to grow…………………….

Take the first step today………………………………….....

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START

BUILD

GROW

We are more than technology…………………………….

Meet the team…………………………………………………

Make Microsoft part

of your startup team

Start. Build. Grow.

From pitch to launch and beyond: we support you every step of the way.

Business Development ExpertsThey can help connect you into the Microsoft ecosystem

We are so much more than technology…

Access to CustomersOur customers are looking for innovative solutions like yours

Technical ConsultantsThese guys will help with your architecture & innovative technology

Industry ExpertsYou could connect with industry teams to understand the latest trends

Partner EcosystemA growing ecosystem of partners providing services (Legal, Banking)

Go To Market TeamsDedicated teams and funding to generate demand for you

Research and DevelopmentOpportunities to work with our research and product teams

Events and WorkshopsTraining, networking, advice, mentoring

Free cloud resourcesAzure, Office, Bing, Support

We are passionate about innovative start ups. Our team of experts handpick high potential startups to work with and connect

them into the Microsoft ecosystem for the ultimate business opportunity*. To find out if you are eligible, contact the startup

team (see overleaf).

*Opportunities are available based upon the perceived shared benefit for both startup and Microsoft.

We are a dedicated team of experts who select innovative startups who we believe we can help. We

will get to know your company, provide honest and relevant advice, plug you into free Microsoft cloud

services and make valuable business introductions.

4Start. Build. Grow.

Meet the Microsoft Startup Team

Gemma ShaylorMicrosoft Startup Audience Manager

“I can help connect you into the right

people at Microsoft and ensure you

get more than just technology”

gewood@microsoft.com

Stephanie GeorgiouMicrosoft Startup BizSpark Manager

“I can help you reap the benefits of

Microsoft cloud services with our

BizSpark Plus programme for startups”

a-stgeor@microsoft.com

Nick PageMicrosoft Startup CTO

“I can introduce you into the Microsoft

ecosystem and identify potential

opportunities for Partnership”

npage@microsoft.com

Who have we helped?

Every startup is different. Every opportunity is unique. We work with start-ups in

different ways depending on the innovative solution, the joint business opportunity and

the available resources at Microsoft. Here are just a few examples…

5Start. Build. Grow.

truRating: Mass Point-of-Payment customer rating system uses the power of Microsoft Azure to store

and analyze millions of ratings for business owners.

“Without the services, tools and support we receive from Microsoft Azure, we absolutely wouldn’t be

where we are today. As we continue to grow and evolve our value proposition, we’re actively exploring

new, exciting Microsoft offerings.” – John Smerek, CTO, truRating

FarmFlo: Farmflo is a Scottish/Irish company that provides an affordable and reliable farm

management

system. The software has been improving the speed and accuracy of keeping farm records for

compliance reporting since 2013.

“We have gained more business partners, accelerated growth on our platform and there are a lot more

opportunities for us internationally.” Jason Devenney, Co-Founder, FarmFlo

Rethink how Microsoft can helpWhen you think Microsoft, you probably think Azure or Office 365. But partnering with

Microsoft means access to more than technology.

We get to know you and your company. If we can see

an opportunity, we will plug you into the right parts of

Microsoft, such as:

• Our Business Development Managers who can

connect you into the Microsoft ecosystem and make

relevant introductions to mentors, partners,

customers, product teams and more

• Our Technology Consultants who can advise you on

your architecture and new innovations which could

pave your journey to success

• Our Go-to-Market experts who can help shape

your marketing and win new customers

START a conversation with Microsoft

6Start. Build. Grow.

START Step 1

Access a network of people & resources

• Put our R&D to work in your business. We

offer workshops, masterclasses, industry

insights and opportunities to connect with our

R&D and product teams

Neither technology nor business exist in isolation. When you create a new app you enter a

rich ecosystem of people, ideas and capabilities. As one of the biggest tech innovators in the

world, Microsoft can put you in touch with a network of people, information and resources.

• Get customer insight. The better you know

your customers, the better your product will

be. We run regular industry-specific events

like our extremely popular ‘Disruptive

Technology Trends in Financial Services’

workshop and can connect you with our

industry experts

START with advanced thinking

7Start. Build. Grow.

START Step 2

• Technology experts. We have Machine

Learning, AI, Blockchain, IoT, Big Data &

Mixed Reality experts who can give you

insights into the latest innovations and

how they could impact your business

offering

• Access to services. Struggling to

access finance, legal or HR services?

Our growing network of partners can

provide these services to your business

Build on solid foundations

Microsoft is much more than technology. But technology is what we do, and we do it

well. Azure provides a solid foundation for innovators and we offer all startups the

opportunity to access our cloud services for free. You’ve got better things to spend

your money on, right?

Start. Build. Grow.

• $120k of free Azure credits over 2 years

• Free Office 365 accounts for 1 year

• Free Bing advertising credits

• 1:1 tech engagement

• Microsoft Translator free credits

• Financial and technical support for

platform migrations

• Free 24/7 Azure support

• Check here to see if you qualify

BUILD for free on Microsoft’s technology platform

For startups that qualify for BizSpark Plus we offer:

8Start. Build. Grow.

BUILD Step 3

Get expert help and advice

• If you are a member of BizSpark Plus and a high potential startup, we can introduce you

to a Business Development Manager who will scope out the opportunity for

collaboration

• Get technical advice from our Technical Consultants who will help shape your

infrastructure and provide deep technical expertise

• We invite you to attend our expert workshops for advice and peer to peer networking.

Speak to the team for the upcoming events

• Need a mentor? We have passionate mentors who would love to work with you and

could be an asset to your business

• Promote your product with social media skills training

• Take advantage of our presentation training to help you pitch investors

When you’re trying to go from MVP to pitch and on to launch you’re spread very thin. Of course the

product has to work, but you need marketing, a strong business model, access to influencers and

customers to turn it into a business. We want to help innovative startups to be successful.

Start. Build. Grow.

BUILD your business skills and raise your profile

9Start. Build. Grow.

BUILD Step 4

Go to market with Microsoft

Your first few customers will help to shape the direction of your business and could make

the difference between success and failure. We want to help you find those perfect first

customers by tapping into Microsoft’s vast network of customers and partners.

• Get help from our Go-to-Market specialists

• Find the perfect Microsoft Partner or enterprise

customers to work with

• Connect with Microsoft sector-specific account managers

• Sign up for online training or targeted workshops on

solution-selling, LinkedIn coaching and more

GROW your business with sales and marketing help

10Start. Build. Grow.

GROW Step 5

Our Business Development Managers will work with you to scope out the

opportunity to:

Find the right talent to grow

When you’re starting a business, the people behind the scenes are crucial. Choosing who to

work with shouldn't be an afterthought. Whether you’re looking for employees, partners or

mentors, Microsoft can help.

GROW your team with hiring help from Microsoft

• Optimise your recruitment process.

Never interviewed a candidate before?

Attend our ‘managing people’ workshop

and learn how to find, choose and develop

the best people

• Find a mentor. Need business advice and

a sounding board for your next step? We’ll

help you find a perfectly matched mentor• Source the best candidates. Microsoft

has a huge resource of networks, people

and events to get you started

11Start. Build. Grow.

GROW Step 6

Start. Build. Grow. 12Start. Build. Grow.

START

Contact the Microsoft Startup team who would love to talk to you.

Email us

BUILD

Build on Azure. Join BizSpark Plus to access free cloud services

Register here *Once you have registered, make sure you email us so we can upgrade your account.

GROW

Let Microsoft help you grow your business quickly by entering our ecosystem

Email Gemma Shaylor for more information

START

BUILD

GROW

LETS GO!

events

tools and

resources

technology

market

specialists

partnerships

co-selling

opportunities

support

mentoring

training

Partner with Microsoft today

Contact the team to see how we could help in your business success.

Start, build and grow

with Microsoft

Start. Build. Grow.