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More Indian startups ready with solutions to tackle real-life problems: Microsoft
By Nishant Arora
Sydney, Feb 12 (IANS) India, which saw a tremendous growth in the startup space in the last couple of years, is now witnessing a growth in the business-to-business (B2B) tech startups coming up with innovative ideas to deal with local problems, says a top Microsoft executive.
“The Indian startup ecosystem is on a growth trajectory, riding on an innovative fleet of young entrepreneurs who are building products that can help solve real-life issues,” said Annie Parker, Global Head of Microsoft for Startups, here.
The Australian startups pioneer who joined Microsoft last year to help scale the company’s startup dreams is bullish on India when it comes to innovation in the B2B space led by incredible engineers and technologists.
“We have seen the rise in B2C startups in India and now is the time for more B2B tech solutions with country-specific problem in focus. The local startup community in India is thriving,” Parker told IANS on the sidelines of the Microsoft ‘Imagine Cup’ Asia Regional Finals 2019.
When it comes to finding right a mix of talent for B2B startups, Parker said India has no dearth at all.
“You can’t really walk in Bengaluru without bumping into a software engineer,” chuckled Parker, adding that there were tremendous growth opportunities in the country.
Regarding Microsoft’s startup programme, she said the company can help B2B startups in two key ways.
“The first way we can help is by providing technical support as we have extraordinary engineers all over the world who are leaders in the field.
“The second way we can help is within Microsoft ‘ScaleUp’ and the startup team more broadly,” she informed.
The Microsoft ScaleUp programme (previously known as Microsoft Accelerator) is designed for Series A startups and offers access to sales, marketing and technical support.
It helps enterprise-ready companies gain access to top Microsoft partners and customers, make valuable business connections, and access a strong network of technical knowledge.
Microsoft last month announced its corporate venture fund M12 will invest in Indian startups with a funding size of $2 million to $10 million. Rashmi Gopinath, partner at M12, is leading the fund’s investment portfolio in the country.
M12 also announced its first India investment in the healthcare SaaS (software-as-a-service) startup called “Innovaccer”.
According to reports, venture capital investments in Indian tech B2B startups have been trending upwards, with over $3.09 billion raised in equity funding across 415 deals in 2018 — 28 per cent more than $2.41 billion in 2017.
Parker said that eligible startups partake in the immersive programme at Microsoft’s eight global locations (including Bengaluru), followed by structured help from a dedicated team of success managers.
“We nurture B2B startups for their customers. Our focus is to support late-stage startups and help them with right set of technical and go-to-market approach so that these can flourish further,” said Parker, adding that creating the start-ups of tomorrow will finally lead to having innovative future partners for Microsoft.
(Nishant Arora can be reached at [email protected])
–IANS
na/ksk
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.