Microsoft Collaborates with VCs to Provide Startups Free Access to AI Chips and Accelerate AI Breakthroughs
Microsoft is partnering with venture capitalists (VCs) to provide select startups with free access to Azure cloud resources for developing AI models. The updated Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program will offer high-end Nvidia-based GPU virtual machine clusters for training and running generative models. Y Combinator and its community of startup founders will be the first to gain access to these clusters, with plans to expand access to other startup investors and accelerators in the future. While the access will be time-bound, Microsoft aims to lower the barrier for startups to train and run AI models, positioning the offering as unique in the AI ecosystem.