ISRO, Microsoft collaborate to support space-tech startups in India

HYDERABAD: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to accelerate the growth of space technology startups in India.

The MoU aims to provide technology tools and platforms, as well as go-to-market support and mentoring, to space tech start-ups across the country in order to help them scale and become enterprise ready.

The collaboration aims to reinforce ISRO's vision of leveraging the market potential of India's most promising space tech innovators and entrepreneurs. Through this collaboration, ISRO-identified space tech startups will be onboarded onto the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub platform, which supports startups at every stage of their journey-from idea to unicorn.

Space-tech startup founders in India would have free access to the tech tools and resources they need to build and run their businesses thanks to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. This includes technical support for building and scaling on Azure, best-in-class developer and productivity tools such as GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise, and Microsoft 365, as well as access to smart analytics through Power BI and Dynamics 365.

S. Somanath, Chairman, 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, which will in turn benefit the Indian economy as a whole."

Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, said, "Space tech startups 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 startups in the country to drive cutting-edge innovation and accelerate scientific discovery".

Microsoft would provide mentoring support to space tech entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technologies, product and design, fundraising, and sales and marketing, in addition to access to technology. Furthermore, founders would have access to Microsoft Learn for tailored startup-centric training content and programmes to assist them in building connections with the industry and potential customers.

Microsoft and ISRO would also collaborate to organise knowledge sharing and thought leadership sessions for startups with space industry experts. Furthermore, the collaboration would assist founders with go-to-market strategies, technical support, and opportunities to sell their solutions through Microsoft channels and marketplace.