Village Global Joins Forces with Microsoft for Startups to Propel AI Startups Through Velocity Program

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At Microsoft for Startups, we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of AI startups. We understand the significant capital and resources required for AI development. That’s why we’ve partnered with Village Global to offer up to $350,000 in Azure Credits to startups participating in their Velocity program. These credits grant access to Azure’s state-of-the-art AI infrastructure, including high-end GPU virtual machine clusters, allowing Velocity startups to train and fine-tune models at scale. Microsoft’s Azure AI infrastructure is purpose-built to support startups aiming to scale the most sophisticated AI workloads. From delivering large and complex AI models like GPT-4O and ChatGPT through Azure OpenAI Service to providing AI-accelerated offerings with networked GPUs, startups can leverage high-performance capabilities to accelerate getting their models into production. With Model-as-a-Service, we now have the most comprehensive set of models in the industry including Llama 3 from Meta and premium models from Cohere, Mistral, and Jais. 

Village Global is an early-stage VC firm chaired by Reid Hoffman and backed by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs like Diane Greene and Bill Gates.  They lead pre-seed and seed rounds investing across sectors around the world. In addition to capital, Village Global offers Velocity founders access to peer accountability groups, vibrant founder events, and Village’s extensive network. 

Propel Your AI Startup with the Village Global Velocity Program 

Velocity is an exclusive program to superpower early-stage AI founders with capital, compute, and the Village network to solve the world’s biggest problems. The program offers up to $1 million in investment to help startups reach their next milestone. But the support doesn’t stop there. When it’s time for follow-on funding, Village Global will work closely with the startups to refine their pitches and connect them with the right investors. 

A Global, Fully Remote Program 

The Velocity program is fully remote, making it accessible to AI founders anywhere in the world. This global approach ensures that exceptional founders can gain connectivity to Silicon Valley, even if they live elsewhere. 

Building Connections and Learning from the Best 

One of the key strengths of the Velocity program is the opportunities it curates for participating startups to connect with fellow members and the larger Village Global network. Through industry-leading events, startups can build meaningful relationships and share insights with peers who are navigating similar challenges. 

Participants can join curated Mastermind groups and meet other AI founders at a similar stage, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. They also have the chance to attend the annual Villagers Retreat, where they can learn from founders who are several steps ahead in their journey. Additionally, Village masterclasses offer valuable insights from subject matter experts, helping startups refine their strategies and scale their businesses effectively. 

Leveraging the Power of the Village Global Network 

The Velocity program provides AI founders with unparalleled access to the Village Global network. This network can open doors to potential customers, design partners, new hires, and experts in AI. By tapping into this extensive network, startups can accelerate their growth and achieve their goals more efficiently.  

Apply Now and Join the Velocity Program 

Applications for the Velocity program are now open, and we encourage AI founders from around the world to apply. This is an exceptional opportunity to receive significant financial investment, access world-class AI infrastructure, and join a vibrant community of like-minded founders. 

Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of a program that’s dedicated to driving positive change and shaping the future of AI. Apply now and take your startup to the next level with the support of Microsoft for Startups and Village Global.