Microsoft in collaboration with the ICT Awards launched the Startups Founders Hub programme in Nepal on Friday.

The new, cross-border project of Microsoft aims to help startup founders bring their ideas into reality.

“From the Founders Hub, Microsoft will give the startups Azure credit worth $150,000, Microsoft 365, GitHub Enterprise, Visual Enterprise and LinkedIn credit among other facilities,” reads the joint statement issued on Saturday. ‘The programme, which has already been launched in more than 200 countries around the world, aims to promote startups.”

Md Yousup Faruqu, Microsoft’s country manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, said, “Founders Hub will help Nepali startups to reach the global level,” requesting the startups to participate in the programme.

Veda app and Digital Edge Nepal, which have already joined the Startups Founders Hub, shared how the programme helped them succeed.

The startups, products and ideas which have made it among the top five in the startup,

product and rising star innovation categories for the InfoDevelopers ICT Awards 2022 shared stories of their creative journey during the launch event.

“The ideas joining the Founders Hub will get mentorship and advice from experts,” said Subash Manandhar, sales executive of Microsoft's Partners.

The private and for-profit businesses with software-based products and

services are eligible to join the programme, according to the statement. “However, educational institutions, government entities, personal blogs, devshop, consultancies, agencies, bitcoin or crypto mining companies are not eligible for participation.”

Microsoft has collaborated as an ecosystem partner in the Infodevelopers ICT Award 2022 in association with Nepal Telecom and Genesse, powered by Huawei and Smart QR programme.

The grand finale of the ICT Awards is going to be held on December 23 in Kathmandu.

“Awards will be given in 13 different categories, including the South Asia Startup ICT Award,” said Razan Lamsal, program coordinator of the awards. “The collaboration with Microsoft will help in the development of Nepal’s startup ecosystem.”