Microsoft ScaleUp

About The Fund

Microsoft ScaleUp, formerly known as Microsoft Accelerator, is an acceleration program designed to foster the growth of high-potential startups in the IT and TMT industries. Serving as a key instrument of Microsoft's broader Microsoft for Startups initiative, it was established in 2011 and maintains its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, with accelerator hubs situated in global startup epicenters. Their program spans four to six months, aimed at progressing beyond mere product development to scaling business operations effectively. The program provides startups with comprehensive support including mentorship from industry professionals, coworking office spaces, and access to a network of successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and experts from M12 (Microsoft's venture fund). Microsoft ScaleUp hones a unique AI-centric infrastructure, presenting startups with up to $150,000 in Azure credits, which allows for the integration and scaling of a wide range of AI models, including Azure OpenAI Services and advanced language models like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. This support is aimed at reassuring startups that they are building on a foundation primed for enterprise-level scale and security. The program additionally affords access to various AI and development tools, and hands-on sessions with Azure engineers and business experts to help optimize AI utilization and foster innovative solutions on Azure. Furthermore, Microsoft ScaleUp emphasizes rapid go-to-market strategies through its partnership ecosystem, offering opportunities to co-sell and collaboratively develop superior solutions with Microsoft. To meet the operational needs of startups at every stage, the program offers tools like GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365, and Azure services. The Microsoft for Startups website reflects a commitment to startup efficiency—not just through robust AI innovation but also by providing offers from trusted partners in development, compliance, security, and business management platforms such as LinkedIn and Stripe.