FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 3rd, 2022 – We are delighted and proud to announce that The Glitterati has been selected for Microsoft’s Black Partner Growth Initiative. A huge thank you to our wonderful team, without them this would not be possible. Of course, we would also like to thank our clients as, without our clients having the confidence and trust in our team, we would not be here after 15 years to tell the tale! Even with this fantastic achievement, our work has only just begun so a big, big thank you to Microsoft and our clients all over the world.
Microsoft is actively working to connect with Black tech communities to drive awareness of the Microsoft Partner Network and this initiative’s offerings. This includes technology professional associations, startups, and supplier ecosystem organizations. The Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative was created by members of Microsoft’s International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners community and included partners from the Black community, who provided advisory support for this initiative. They have offered feedback and insights which Microsoft will continue to consider as they grow the initiative.
What is the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative?
This initiate was created with the goal to:
- Expand the diversity of thought leadership and innovation within the Microsoft Partner Network by attracting Black and African American-owned tech partners.
- Support and nurture Black and African American-owned partners through the Microsoft Partner Network.
As part of this initiative, Microsoft is offering human-assisted guidance more readily available through the cloud enablement desk and high-value, go-to-market resources, while also providing access to experts and leaders within Microsoft and more. These resources are specifically packaged to help participants engage with the ecosystem and drive sustainable growth.
How did we get here?
This effort stems from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s vision which he laid out in a letter early last summer. Under Satya’s guidance, Microsoft is enacting one piece of this multi-year, sustained effort to address racial injustice while diversifying its ecosystem.
As Gavriella Schuster, Corporate Vice President, One Commercial Partner, recently shared, Microsoft is pursuing the collective opportunity they have across its partner ecosystem, and “designing innovative solutions and services on technology that can be trusted, and built with inclusion in mind, is crucial to that effort.”
Underrepresentation: a problem beyond the ecosystem
Throughout the tech industry, Black and African American tech innovators and entrepreneurs remain severely underrepresented and underfunded. In 2019, only 1% of venture capital funding was granted to Black-founded tech companies. Microsoft is committed to accelerating the growth of this segment that has long been underrepresented. By unlocking the best of the Microsoft Partner Network, they also hope to generate more opportunities for growth and development of the Black and African American tech and business community. According to the IDC, Microsoft partners produce $9.58 in revenue for every $1 that Microsoft generates. Partnership is just a stepping stone.
Promoting change in the Microsoft Partner Network
Continued innovation will be enhanced with the inclusion and advancement of Black and African American partners. The Black and African American partner growth initiative takes a three-pronged approach to address this within the Microsoft partner ecosystem:
- COMMUNITY: Microsoft has committed to growing the representation of Black and African American-owned partners in the Microsoft Partner Network by 20% over the next three years.
- PARTNERSHIP: By partnering and leveraging their expansive ecosystem and platform Microsoft can support new and existing to accelerate their financial growth and enhance the development of their business acumen. Microsoft will accomplish this by offering training programs covering financial management, technology solutions, and go-to-market readiness.
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL: Access to capital is a challenge for any startup or tech innovator. Microsoft recently launched a $20 million program that leverages their balance sheet, and they are working with their partner financial institutions to deploy an additional $50 million to support new and existing Black and African American partners within their ecosystem.
Backing up words with actions
Microsoft believes everyone throughout the ecosystem plays a role in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment – from Microsoft employees to partners.
One way Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to a comprehensive approach to diversity and inclusion is by actively recruiting new partners and building foundational awareness throughout the community. They have been piloting this initiative to understand how they can best support their partners on their journey – as March approaches, they will use what has been learned from the pilot for a bigger programmatic impact.
Reaching the Black and African American partner community is critical to the success of this initiative. Microsoft is collaborating with members of the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) community—including members of the Black Channel Partner Alliance—who continue to provide feedback, support, and insights for this initiative. They are also actively connecting with Black and African American tech communities to drive awareness of the Microsoft Partner Network and this program.
Contact information
Contact: Steven Klimaski
Phone: (310) 692-9411
Email: steven.klimaski@the-glitterati.com