Microsoft Cloud Accelerator Programme for women-led firms now in Kenya, SA

Tech giant Microsoft has announced that it has expanded its Microsoft Cloud Accelerator Programme to eight countries including Kenya and South Africa. Previously the programme was only available to women in the US.

The immersive six-month long programme is designed to help women-led companies start and build their businesses through Microsoft and its cloud distribution channels.

The programme is run in partnership with IdeaGen and Women In Cloud.

In a statement last Thursday (6 June), Microsoft corporate vice president of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) Charlotte Yarkoni (pictured above) named the eight countries as Canada, France, Germany, India, Kenya, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

The Microsoft Cloud Accelerator Programme has been extended to Kenya, South Africa

Yarkoni said the expansion will provide women-owned technology companies with access to the cloud, mentorship, networking communities and resources to bring women-led innovations to market.

“Through a multi-million-dollar, multi-year investment from Microsoft, it is our goal that with this expansion and continued scaling, this programme can help generate $1-billion in cloud opportunity by providing accessible cloud technology to more than 1000 women-led tech companies over the investment period, enabling them to scale their businesses for sustainable economic growth in all corners of the world,” she said.

Ventureburn sought comment from Microsoft last Friday (7 June) on more details on when the Kenya and South Africa programmes will be launched, as well as how women-led companies in these countries can apply for the initiative, but has yet to receive a response from the company.

Featured image: Microsoft corporate vice president of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) Charlotte Yarkoni (Microsoft)