Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative

Application Deadline: January 31st 2017

Most of the world is not connected to the internet. Underserved markets, rural areas and economically-disadvantaged communities are least likely to have access to the internet. With advances in the affordable access ecosystem and your solutions, 3.9 billion more people will be empowered to engage in the digital economy.

The Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative Grant Fund seeks to support, grow and scale innovative businesses that are developing technologies and business models that have the potential to help billions more people affordably get online. Areas of interest include last mile access technologies, off-grid renewable energy solutions, and alternative payment mechanisms, as well as verticals such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. We will consider eligible applicants covering these areas and more.

Solution should:

Leverage low-cost forms of last-mile internet connectivity, off-grid energy solutions, and/or alternative payment mechanisms
Demonstrate innovative approaches to utilizing and/or selling cloud services

Applicants must:

Be a commercial organization with two or more full-time employees (we will not accept applications from non-profits, government agencies, or academic institutions)
Have a working solution and paying customers
Demonstrate potential to scale to new markets
Be free of any legal or regulatory encumbrances

Proposals due

Proposals are due by Midnight US Pacific Standard Time January 31, 2017

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative Grant 2017

Application Deadline: 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time, January 15, 2016.

Brilliant people like you are deploying technology and business models to help billions of people affordably engage online, and Microsoft want to help. Under the Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative, Microsoft is providing grants to commercial entities for scalable solutions that enable people in underserved communities to access the Internet and use cloud services. Your solution could be the one that connects the world.

The Challenge:

Develop low-cost connectivity solutions, cloud-based services, and business models that bring the Internet to underserved markets.
The Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative seeks to nurture, grow, and scale innovative businesses like yours. We’ll work with you to expand your online access and cloud services solution.
Companies selected for this program will receive grants averaging $75,000 to help you serve more customers.

Solution must:

Leverage low-cost forms of Internet connectivity
Demonstrate innovative approaches to selling cloud services geared for underserved markets
Integrate localized payment platforms and consumption models designed for customers in relevant markets

Applicants must:

Be a commercial organization with two or more full-time employees (we will not accept applications from non-profits, government agencies, or academic institutions)
Have a working solution
Prove potential to scale to new markets and leverage partner distribution models
Provide valid copies of licenses and authorizations
Present a business plan free of legal and regulatory impediments

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative