Microsoft has teamed up with Nvidia and WeTransact to launch the ‘Agentic Launchpad’ – a new program aimed at helping UK software companies build next-generation AI platforms.
As part of the scheme, successful startups and scale-ups will be able to work directly with Microsoft and Nvidia, gaining access to advanced AI expertise, technical sessions, and opportunities for joint innovation.
This will include a range of events, workshops, and summits, including the Microsoft AI Tour and industry briefings.
Marketing support is a key focus of the scheme, helping startups to access broader markets through media campaigns and executive sponsorships, the duo said.
Long-term, the aim here is to improve time-to-market and visibility. Microsoft said participants will be able to promote their agentic AI apps to key stakeholders and target customers through dedicated campaigns. They'll also feature in communications, blogs, and press releases from Microsoft and its partners.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for innovative and ambitious AI-first software companies to accelerate the growth of their agentic AI solutions with the expert help of Microsoft and Nvidia,” said Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK & Ireland.
“We are passionate about helping to build the agentic AI future and see innovation flourish in the UK.”
Nvidia to beef up training resources
Nvidia has pledged additional support for the program by giving access to its existing training resources for startups and smaller enterprises.
“Nvidia is ready to support the Microsoft Agentic Launchpad through the Nvidia Inception program for cutting-edge start-ups,” said Serge Palaric, Nvidia vice president of EMEA hyperscaler and ISV alliances.
“This collaboration will provide start-ups with access to Nvidia Deep Learning Institute training sessions and a network of experts. By using Nvidia AI infrastructure, software companies will be able to accelerate their AI development and enhance performance.”
The program builds on Microsoft's GenAI Accelerator, launched this time last year in collaboration with Nvidia and GitHub. Participants were given free Azure credits, membership of NVIDIA’s Inception program, and support from Microsoft’s AI ‘Black Belt’ engineers.
“The GenAI Accelerator provided invaluable access to technical advisors, partner managers, and experts at Microsoft,” says Sharad Khandelwal, cofounder and CEO of SentiSum.
“We gained visibility in critical AI and SaaS communities, and it gave us the credibility to partner with enterprise customers who value Microsoft’s stamp of quality.”
Make sure to follow ITPro on Google News to keep tabs on all our latest news, analysis, and reviews.
MORE FROM ITPRO
- UK's AI sector booms – but can the country hang on to its startups?
- 3 ways AI helps startups grow
- Cash is flowing into AI startups, but investors have warned of the rise of ‘zombiecorns’
-
Apple M5 iPad Pro reviewReviews Still rocking the same design, but inside it's all change -- and that is what makes the M5 iPad Pro so good
-
Nozomi Networks eyes channel growth with double executive appointmentNews Matthew Cowell has been named as VP of strategic alliances, while Tyson Gerhold becomes VP of global partner and channel sales
-
Want to keep your job in the AI era? Start retraining nowNews Workers face critical decisions over the best way to upskill and retrain in the age of AI
-
Appian wants to usher in the age of ‘serious AI’ where processes are automated in unglamorous placesNews Founder and CEO Matt Calkin opens Appian Europe with the belief that we can do business automation better
-
AI resume screening, recruiter chatbots, and ‘ghost jobs’ are causing havoc for struggling entry-level workersNews A new report shows employers are cutting back on entry-level hiring, but expect things to improve eventually
-
Microsoft’s huge AI spending still has investors sweating despite solid cloud growthNews Capital spending at Microsoft continues to surge, despite previous claims it would cool down
-
Analysts warn AI layoffs could spark a new wave of offshoring – enterprises are rehiring after workforce cuts, but either outsourcing or at lower rates of payNews Analysts expect a wave of rehiring next year in the wake of AI layoffs. That may sound like good news for workers, but it'll probably involve offshoring or outsourcing.
-
Microsoft gives OpenAI restructuring plans the green light – but its terms ensure it still wins in the long runNews The deal removes fundraising constraints and modifies Microsoft's rights to use OpenAI models and products
-
UK firms are pouring money into AI, but they won’t see a return on investment unless they address these key issuesNews An SAP report projects increased AI investment, but cautions that too many organizations are taking a fragmented approach
-
Employee ‘task crafting' could be the key to getting the most out of AINews Tweaking roles to make the most of AI makes you more engaged at work
