The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way people work around the world. This creates unique opportunities for startups to come up with new solutions and integrate AI capabilities into their software.
THE Microsoft for AI Tech Accelerator Startups is a four-week program dedicated to Swiss startups offering innovations capable of supporting business transformations using AI. We invite technical co-founders and technology leaders to apply to join the pilot cohort starting February 12, 2024. The program will combine the best of Microsoft technologies and Microsoft employees to enable startups to develop and deploy their technological potential in AI. The goal is to accelerate product development time for startups.
Please submit your application here. The application deadline is December 15, 2023, 8:00 p.m. CET.
Prerequisites and selection criteria
- Have a viable post-MVP solution with at least one customer reference
- Highly scalable B2B SaaS OR B2C software solution
- Have identified your AI use case (create a solution with AI OR integrate your existing solution with AI)
- Develop your solution on Microsoft Azure (either ready to migrate or already on Azure)
- Have an active Azure subscription and access Azure OpenAI before February 1
- Willingness to sign an NDA with Microsoft (to ensure protection of startup intellectual property and necessary to receive non-public product information)
- Ability to be present in person at the Microsoft office in Zurich, Geneva or Bern 2 days a week (Monday and Tuesday) during the duration of the program (February 12 – March 5, 2024) and the demo day on March 14. The location of the program will be announced on December 22 and is dependent on the location of the majority of selected startups.
Benefits
- Participation in the AI Tech Accelerator is free
- Technical and business support from Microsoft to build an offer using the capabilities of Azure OpenAI or other Microsoft AI technology bricks
- Free Azure cloud credits to build your solution*
- Access to OpenAI models (GPT 3.5, GPT 4)
- Access to mentors and experts in the field of AI
- Possibility of taking a Microsoft Advanced AI certification at 50% discount**
* subject to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program eligibility criteria
** subject to availability
Program Details
- A limited number of startups selected – ensuring a perfect match within the cohort to enable valuable peer-to-peer network exchange and technological advancements
- One or two (to be defined) in-person representation person(s) per startup only
- 4 weeks of hands-on support to build your solution on Azure OpenAI or other Microsoft AI building blocks in a Microsoft office in Switzerland
- Definition of the use case before the start of the accelerator and a demo day afterwards (see the program below for more details)
Study program (subject to change)
Please submit your application here. The application deadline is December 15, 2023, 8:00 p.m. CET.
Do you have more questions about the Microsoft AI Technology Accelerator for Startups? Contact (email protected)
Do you want to learn more about the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program? Visit the Microsoft for startups Switzerland page.
