Microsoft has launched its Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub in Asia, to empower startups' ambitions and fuel innovation to drive economic and societal progress across the Asia region.

Microsoft says the Startups Founders Hub is a "new digital and truly inclusive platform for founders in Asia". The platform offers more than US$300,000 worth of benefits and credits, giving startups free access to the technology, tools, and resources they need to build and run their business.

Beyond access to technology, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub will empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow by connecting them with mentors who will provide them with industry, business, and technical support to guide them through their next business milestones. In addition, Founders will have access to Microsoft Learn and a variety of startup and unicorn programs to help them build connections with customers and accelerate their growth.

The program is designed specifically for early-stage startups to lower the barriers of business creation, be a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, and contribute to easing the journey from an idea to a unicorn. It is available to all startups in Asia, including those without third-party backing, as part of Microsoft's commitment to empower startups' ambitions to drive innovation from Asia to the world.

Asia as a Hub for Global Innovation 

Asia has undoubtedly become a hotbed of innovation over recent years, with one of the most dynamic startup scenes anywhere. CB Insights reports that Asia was the #1 region for global venture deals in 2021. Asia is also home to three out of the top ten countries leading in the number of unicorns created year on year – China, India and South Korea. In India, a unicorn is created almost every week.

“Born in Asia creativity and innovation is accelerating Asia's position to become the startup region of the world. We are a trusted partner who wants to empower the ambition of startups from idea to unicorn," says Jesus Martin, chief strategy, Microsoft Asia.

"As a platform company, our cloud services and solutions are designed to empower founders to concentrate on what they do best - innovate at their own pace," he says.

"Our aim is to give startups access to the technology that will power their innovation, connect them with customers, and an ecosystem of developers, partners and investors to help them scale in Asia and beyond."

Martin says, "Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub was created following extensive research and conversations with hundreds of founders who explicitly shared their need for access to a digital ecosystem that promotes opportunities and democratises innovation regardless of background, location, progress, or passions.

"We look forward to how our new offering will support more founders in Asia and provide access to the technology, tools, and resources they need to build and run their business,” he says.

Championing the Growth of Asian SaaS startups

Across Asia, Microsoft cloud is the platform of choice to empower the ambition of startups whether consumer or B2B SaaS solutions to enable them to scale across Asia and globally.

“Microsoft believes startups from Asia have the potential to change the world. In fact, they have already played a role in transforming Asia's economy," says Martin.

"Asian-born businesses have changed e-commerce, fintech, social media and gaming. They have given us SuperApps, which are changing the way we live," he says.

"As the cloud platform of choice, we will continue to work with our partners and regional ecosystem to get technology and resources in the hands of startup founders in Asia, to empower them to innovate and ultimately succeed."