Microsoft’s newest venture with Accenture is led by both companies’ common goal to make a massive impact on millions of lives across the world.
Microsoft is no stranger to philanthropy. It has signed this global social entrepreneurship program to empower an ecosystem of tech-enabled startups globally, targeting pressing social or environmental problems. Meanwhile, Accenture Labs has inked the pact as a part of its Tech4Good program, a project that aims to deliver emerging technologies to solve social issues.
It is no surprise that a giant like Microsoft has signed this deal with Accenture. Accenture has a proven track record of its project delivery capabilities. Globally, it has established an innovative and well-developed network, boasting its consulting and technical expertise; and strong knowledge in digital transformation services for healthcare provider clients.
This new tag-team project aims to strengthen and expand the influence of entrepreneurs and startup businesses that want to make a difference through social impact and sustainability. It has been said that this partnership will support technologies and social enterprises in building scalable solutions and business models that can result in concrete results that will positively improve millions of lives globally.
Microsoft Research India and Accenture Labs will carry out proof-of-concept validation, design brainstorming sessions to help them reevaluate and strategize towards the impact they want to achieve and provide assistance in utilizing Microsoft technologies that can be made available to them.
According to Jean-Philippe Courtois, the Executive Vice President and President, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, “Startups in the social impact and sustainability space are among the world’s most inspiring organisations.”
Courtois also mentioned the importance of having a passion for meaningful innovation and creating positive change, and that he understands that they need to be supported. He explained that Microsoft’s partnership with Accenture opens doors for empowering startup companies so they can use technology. He emphasized in his statement the opportunity to make an even greater impact in addressing many of the world’s most pressing challenges. Furthermore, he stated, “By empowering them, our goal is to help change the lives of a million people.”
The program will focus on agriculture, education, and healthcare. It will start working with startups in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, and with this game plan, leverages the MSR India Center for Societal impact through Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI).
According to Paul Daugherty, Group Chief Executive and Accenture Technology and Chief Technology Officer at Accenture, it has been proven in their experience that applying emerging technologies to critical challenges facing society can accelerate social transformation. Clearly, the partnership between these two conglomerates is tangible evidence of supporting the little guy while aligning their values with the populace.
The global social entrepreneurship program between Microsoft and Accenture gives startups access to groundbreaking technology in Microsoft AI and engineering, including cloud expertise, go-to-market services, grants, and access to customers that will help expand their reach on a local and global scale.
And with healthcare being a part of this endeavor, it helps that Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has yet again been named a leading institution in healthcare provider digital services by Everest Group. Accenture has been given this recognition for two consecutive years, as it is considered a tried and true Leader in the Everest Group’s annual assessment of the healthcare provider industry.
