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Microsoft offers tech organisations grants

Sibahle Malinga
By Sibahle Malinga, ITWeb senior news journalist.
Johannesburg, 19 Jan 2017
The social enterprises supported by Microsoft have adopted high-impact and scalable approaches to help close the digital divide, says Microsoft's Paul Garnett.
The social enterprises supported by Microsoft have adopted high-impact and scalable approaches to help close the digital divide, says Microsoft's Paul Garnett.

The application process for tech start-ups to receive an Affordable Access Initiative grant fund from Microsoft is now open to the South African public.

Microsoft is calling IT start-ups and individuals who are developing new technologies that help more people affordably engage online, making progress toward closing the digital divide. For a second year running, Microsoft's initiative is awarding grants for solutions that enable Internet connectivity and drive services and business models through affordable access in underprivileged communities.

According to the technology giant, the aim of the Affordable Access Initiative Grant is to assist in bringing technology to markets where there is limited, or no access to affordable Internet connection. The funds will assist companies in working to bring Internet access and new technologies, services and models to these communities. In addition to receiving funding and software to help develop their businesses, grant recipients will also join a growing ecosystem of other grantees and funders to further increase their impact in society.

"The social enterprises we support have inspired us with practical, high-impact and scalable approaches to help close the digital divide," says Microsoft Affordable Access Initiatives director Paul Garnett. "It's a privilege to see these solutions take shape, and to play a role in helping local entrepreneurs spur job creation and economic growth."

In the fund's first round of investments, in 2016, Microsoft awarded grants to 12 businesses across the globe, which offer affordable Internet access or cloud-based services in fields such as power generation, health, education, finance and agriculture.

This initiative, notes Microsoft, is also connected to the work of Microsoft Philanthropies, which is helping to bring technology's benefits to those who need it most. Microsoft Philanthropies is making its digital literacy, online safety and computer science education programs available to grant recipients and the communities they serve.

"Too many people around the world lack Internet connectivity and the educational, commercial and economic benefits of cloud-based services," says Mary Snapp, corporate vice president and head of Microsoft Philanthropies. "Affordable Access Initiative grants, and the technology ecosystems they help support, empower entrepreneurs to provide connectivity, which then enables the creation of critical services for those who need it most."

According to Microsoft, applicants must be commercial organisations with two or more full-time employees and have a prototype of a working solution and preferably paying customers. Applications will be accepted until midnight PST on 31 January 2017.

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