Microsoft has joined Startup Europe Partnership (SEP), a pan-European programme designed to promote new technology start-ups. The initiative is supported by the EC.
"Microsoft has a real and growing commitment to Europe. By joining the Startup Europe Partnership (SEP), Microsoft is helping to build communities where tech and web entrepreneurs can start-up, scale-up and go global. Microsoft's own journey offers many lessons and examples for everyone working on digital issues," said Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission.
Earlier this year Telecom Italia announced it had supported the SEP initiative as a Corporate Member.
The other founding members of the SEP include Telefonica, Orange, BBVA, investment funds such as European Investment Fund, which is a part of the European Investment Bank Group, and European universities including Cambridge University, the IE Business School and the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society.