October 22, 2021

Accelerator program launching to support Black partners

We are thrilled to announce that our 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 application period ends on December 17, 2021.

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.

Black-owned AppMeetup to provide Accelerator participants with success roadmap

We 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.

We encourage all partners enrolled in the Black Partner Growth Initiative to consider applying for the BPGI Accelerator Program.

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.

Who is eligible for the BPGI Accelerator Program?

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.

Space is limited – apply soon to secure your chance to participate this quarter.

The Initiative creates pathways to growth for Black partners

The mission of the Black Partner Growth Initiative is to create pathways for Black-owned partners to engage with the Microsoft Partner Network successfully and accelerate growth through greater community, stronger partnerships through Microsoft’s expansive ecosystem and platforms, and access to capital. The Initiative is a business incubator providing access to information and resources as well as financial management, tech solutions, and go-to-market readiness training.

In addition to taking the first step toward qualifying for the BPGI Accelerator, partners enrolled in the Initiative can be matched with a dedicated specialist through the Cloud Enablement Desk (CED) to grow their cloud business, connect to the Solution Workspace to build solutions, publish solutions and services in the Commercial Marketplace, be showcased in a business directory, receive go-to-market benefits, and access to readiness training.

Next steps

Join the Black Partner Growth Initiative community for free to gain access to these valuable benefits and to take the first step toward qualifying for the accelerator
Learn more about the BPGI Accelerator Program