Microsoft Accelerator in India and TCS Co-Innovation Network (COIN) today announced a joint initiative to create a platform that provides a boost to the Indian startup ecosystem.
Under the collaboration, an open innovation framework will be created to mentor and engage with startups to bring their innovative solutions to market. The announcement was made at Think Next Summer 2016, Microsoft Accelerator’s flagship forum, which brings together thought leaders in technology who are driving transformation via innovation.
“The progress India has made in IT and entrepreneurship over the past four decades, has radically changed the landscape offering new entrepreneurs unmatched opportunities. As one of the contributors to the startup ecosystem in India, we felt it was a story worth telling. It has taken us 18 months to put this e-book together, “said Ravi Narayan, Global Director, Microsoft Accelerator.
Access to markets and customers remains one of the biggest challenges for startups in India. The partnership will provide startups the access to the depth of Microsoft and TCS’ networks and relationships across customers, investors, academia and industry, creating a strong value proposition in the enterprise marketplace. Microsoft Accelerator’s #CoInnovate program and COIN by TCS aim to connect startups with corporates – who get access to innovative solutions for their business needs while providing greater market access for the startups.
Nagaraj Ijari, Vice President and Global Head – Hi-Tech Industry Solutions Unit, TCS commented: “The partnership between the TCS COIN and Microsoft Accelerator underscores our efforts to engage deeply with the startup ecosystem and underlines our commitment to provide innovative solutions to our diverse customer base. As we enter a new phase of rapid innovation and computing, companies must co-innovate and create strategic partnerships to solve challenging problems for their customers. This partnership will offer participating startups access to the expertise and client-base of both TCS and Microsoft and will create exciting new opportunities to innovate and transform the business landscape.”