Nairobi-based tech startup incubator NaiLab is now an official partner of the Microsoft Bizspark, a project started by the software giant to promote technology innovations globally.
Selected startups are expected to benefit from resources extended by Microsoft, including US$60,000 worth of Microsoft cloud services over two years, to build up their business. The programme also offers mentorship by renowned IT gurus.
Distinguished for helping developers to launch into developing applications for the Windows platform, Microsoft Bizspark will give the developers access to Azure platform to develop apps free for the first year, and at half the cost for the second year.
More than 45,000 companies spread over 100 countries have joined the Bizspark family since 2008 when it was established.
The co-founder and chief executive of Nailab Sam Gichuru said: “Entrepreneurs require great tools to kick start the ventures and it’s great that Microsoft has joined us in supporting them.”
He added that the initiative would go a long way into ensuring that the startups “get off on the right foot, using genuine software and growing a culture of respect for copyrighted material, which they themselves will soon be putting out”.
Egypt, South Africa and Botswana are countries that have the Bizspark Plus initiative in Africa.
