Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Microsoft on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fuel the growth of space-tech startups in India.
As part of a memorandum of understanding that Microsoft has signed with the ISRO, the firm will support space-tech startups with go-to-market support, free access to cloud tools, and mentoring to help them scale and become enterprise-ready.
Shri S Somanath, Chairman, of ISRO, said, “ISRO’s collaboration with Microsoft will greatly benefit space tech startups in their analysis and processing of vast amounts of satellite data for various applications, using cutting-edge methods like AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.”
“The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is a useful platform for bringing together startups and providers of technology solutions to support the national space technology ecosystem. We are pleased to work together to assist and support entrepreneurs, to in turn benefit the Indian economy as a whole.”
The collaboration of Microsoft and ISRO seeks to strengthen ISRO’s vision of collecting the market potential of the most promising space tech innovators and entrepreneurs in India, Microsoft said in a release.
Through this collaboration, the space-tech start-up identified by ISRO will come on board with the ‘Microsoft for Start-ups Founders Hub platform’, that supports start-ups at every stage of their journey from idea to the unicorn, it said.
The collaboration, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said will greatly benefit space tech start-ups in their analysis and processing of vast amounts of satellite data for various applications, using cutting-edge methods like AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.
Apart from the access to the technology provided by Microsoft, The company will also provide support as a mentor to space tech entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technologies, product and design, fund-raising and sales and marketing.
“Space tech start-ups in India are playing a significant role in advancing the country’s space capabilities with the power of technology. We are pleased to collaborate with ISRO to accelerate this transformation of what’s possible in space. Through our technology tools, platforms, and mentorship opportunities, we are deeply committed to empowering space tech start-ups in the country to drive cutting-edge innovation and accelerate scientific discovery,” Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari said.
Microsoft and ISRO with space industry experts will also jointly organize knowledge-sharing and thought leadership sessions for the startups.
