Application Deadline: December 17th 2021
Microsoft are thrilled to announce that the Black Partner Growth Initiative Accelerator Program will launch in January 2022, with its first-ever partner cohort. All qualifying members of the Initiative are encouraged to submit an application to take part.
The Black Partner Growth Initiative began as an effort to reach the Black community through sponsored events such as the Black Women Talk Tech Face of a Founder Summit, and the enablement of a partner-led community, Black Channel Partner Alliance.
Through feedback and engagement from the community, we’ve turned our focus toward the next phases of our Initiative goals: expediting building and selling support to strengthen partner engagement and success with focused programming. Within the Initiative, the BPGI Accelerator Program is one of the programs to advance the course of participating and thriving partners.
Microsoft have partnered with Black-owned Microsoft partner, AppMeetup, to help cultivate partners who join the BPGI Accelerator Program. Running on Azure, AppMeetup is dedicated to expanding the capacity and growth of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Accelerator participants will work with AppMeetup to develop a roadmap to meet their goals along with regular coaching and content to support their progress. They will also have exclusive access to monthly workshops, group and 1:1 business advising and strategic support, partner success calls, and more led by AppMeetup.
Drawing upon partner experience and an innate desire to influence the success of Black-owned business, AppMeetup’s Cloud-selling approach reduces barriers to growth early on, helping partners realize their goals quicker and more effectively.
The BPGI Accelerator program is a growth catalyst for Black partners
If you are a Black-owned partner ready to take your business to the next level, the Accelerator Program is your channel for additional support. Focused on a limited number of partners across a 3-month period, we accelerate growth by connecting you – tech CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs – to deeper, personalized 1:1 engagement to support your journey to developing a customized company growth roadmap.
In addition to the resources attained by enrolling in the overarching Initiative, participation in this selective cohort will offer you the guidance of Microsoft leaders and experts through a carefully designed business enablement and tech intensive program with opportunities that will open the door for stronger partnerships across the Microsoft ecosystem, including prioritized program referrals and market opportunities. Through this program, you will receive group and 1:1 business advising focused on enhancing your business strategy and achieving company goals.
As you increase your market readiness, you will also receive prioritized referrals to other Microsoft programs intended to help you grow. Upon program completion, you will receive company spotlights, and post-graduation support intended to support your growth and profitability.
Eligibility
Full engagement in the Accelerator Program is essential to the success of participating partners, therefore we’ve established criteria to ensure selected partners are positioned to realize the full benefit.
Eligibility requirements:
- Enrolled in the Black Partner Growth Initiative
- Active Microsoft Partner Network member ID
- Doing business in one of these areas:
- Offering consulting and services that utilize Microsoft products, or
- Building on a Microsoft platform to build their own business, or
- Developing apps using Microsoft products, or
- Creating IP using Microsoft products (i.e., organizations who are willing to build technology on the Microsoft platform)
- At least 51% Black-owned tech organization based in the United States with at least three (3) employees
- Business in operation for over 24 months
- At least one solution or consulting services offer in the marketplace, or willing to place a solution in the market within 3-6 months, with a focus in one of these areas: Azure, Business Applications (i.e., Dynamics 365), Modern Work (i.e., Office 365, Teams), or Security.
- Ready and committed to scaling business through Microsoft and their distribution channels
If you meet the eligibility requirements above, we strongly encourage you to submit your application by December 17, 2021. The first cohort will launch in January 2022.
Official Website: Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative Accelerator Program
