Tag: hub

Microsoft creates a £14 million start-up hub in London

shutterstock_192614108Microsoft has launched a £14 million start-up hub in London which it says will connect tech start-ups with its UK partner base.

Dubbed The Reactor, the hub was launched by Microsoft UK CEO Cindy Rose and digital minister Margot James.  Rose said: “The reactor is a reflection of the enduring commitment to the UK as a destination for digital innovation, and the importance that we place on nurturing and developing start-up talent in the UK, which we know is Europe’s hotspot for technology innovation.

“This space is designed and located in the heart of Shoreditch to help us connect better with the technology start-up and scale-up community; offer access to Microsoft’s technology, platform and tools; and connect with our enterprise customers and partners.”

The facility, which will see $20 million invested over ten years – will offer free office space for start-ups and give them access to Microsoft’s partners and products.

Microsoft has opened similar schemes in the US, with the London base the first in Europe. Further hubs are planned for Australia and Europe.

Rose also said that Microsoft would sign up to the government’s Tech Talent Charter, which aims to develop skilled IT professionals in the UK, specifically female workers.

MP Margot James said: “Microsoft is an excellent corporate citizen and is doing so much for start-ups. To know Microsoft is backing the charter is just brilliant.

“We have a specific problem attracting  women.] in the technology sector because , you need science qualifications and girls are attracted to science A-Levels in far lower numbers.

“We have to change that, but there’s no quick fix. The charter is designed to get girls to look favourably on careers in technology and have the confidence to go for it, as well as to boost digital awareness in schools in ways that girls will be attracted to.”

Microsoft assimilates 15 resellers to its collective

The BorgMicrosoft has added 15 UK resellers to its new Surface Hub partner programme.

The Surface Hub was launched in Europe with just 20 specialist AV partners, but in February Microsoft opened up the device to its entire partner base through The Surface Hub Distributors Programme for Opportunity Resellers (VAD-OR).

Danielle Crayton, senior product marketing manager at Microsoft UK, said that the Surface Hub “ecosystem” is growing daily and Microsoft’s partners play an essential role in that growth by helping organisations implement new, innovative workplace collaboration strategies and communicate with colleagues across geographies.

“Surface Hub is a new breed of collaboration tool designed to unlock the power of any group and their ideas in real time. This ultimately leads to better solutions and results, regardless of whether teams are in the same room or spread across the globe.”

Microsoft said its Surface Hub customer base has increased globally from 500 customers last July to 2,000 now.

One of the partners was the IT outsourcing giant Capita. Managing director of Capita’s smart buildings divisions Paul Morris said Capita’s cunning plan was to bring users’ experience into the 21st century and embrace the developing role of multimedia technology to support and enable all employees.

“We offer customised audio-visual systems that encompass and deliver seamless collaboration, maximise content delivery and increase productivity within any environment. Surface Hub is a key part of our offering to clients, and we are very proud to have been awarded Authorised Device Reseller (ADR) status.”

Other partners are eBECS, Electrosonic, GV MultiMedia and Pro AV which are now Surface Hub ADRs, while a further 10 partners have been recruited through the VAD-OR programme with distributor Maverick.