Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO and Microsoft today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the growth of space technology start-ups in India.
The MoU seeks to empower space technology startups across the country with technology tools and platforms, go-to-market support, and mentoring to help them scale and become business-ready.
The collaboration comes at a time when Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella is in Bengaluru to attend the Microsoft Future Ready Technology Summit. Microsoft said in a release, this collaboration seeks to further ISRO’s vision to tap the market potential of India’s most promising space technology innovators and entrepreneurs.
Through this tie-up, space technology start-ups identified by ISRO will be incorporated into the ‘Microsoft for Start-ups Founders Hub’ platform, which supports start-ups at every stage of their journey – from idea to unicorn.
Noting that through the hub, founders of space technology start-ups in India will have free access to the technology tools and resources they need to build and run their businesses, the further release states that this includes technical support to build and scale on Azure.
Best-in-class developer and productivity tools including GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise, and Microsoft 365, and access to intelligent analytics with Power BI and Dynamics 365.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath said the space agency’s collaboration with Microsoft will greatly benefit space technology start-ups in their analysis and processing of huge amounts of satellite data for various applications using cutting-edge methods such as AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.
“The Microsoft for Start-ups Founders Hub is a useful platform for bringing together start-ups and technology solution providers to support the nation’s space technology ecosystem. We are happy to work together to help and support entrepreneurs, which benefits the Indian economy as a whole,” he said.
In addition to access to technology, Microsoft will provide mentoring support to space technology entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technology, product and design, fundraising, and sales and marketing.
In addition, founders will have access to Microsoft Learn for customized training content and startup-focused programs to help them build connections with industry and potential customers.
“Space technology start-ups in India are playing a significant role in developing the country’s space capabilities through the power of technology.
We are delighted to partner with ISRO to accelerate this transformation of what is possible in space. Through our technology tools, platforms, and mentoring opportunities, we are deeply committed to empowering space technology start-ups in the country to foster cutting-edge innovation and accelerate scientific discovery,” said Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari.
Microsoft and ISRO will also jointly host a knowledge-sharing and thought leadership session for startups with space industry experts. Additionally, the collaboration will support the founders with go-to-market strategies, technical support, and opportunities to sell their solutions through Microsoft’s channels and marketplace, the report said.