When the Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) was launched in 2020, the goals were clear. Our team was tasked by Microsoft leadership with creating a focused program within the partner channel that reflected Microsoft’s ambitious mission of empowering every individual and every organization to achieve more. And since the launch of BPGI, we’ve concentrated on increasing the representation of Black-owned partners and enabling their growth to build one of the largest diverse partner ecosystems in the technology sector.

This motion is critical. First, it reflects the core values of our company’s mission and culture. Second, BPGI establishes a platform for seasoned technology leaders, innovative startups, and entrepreneurs alike to create, develop, and grow their business with Microsoft through co-sell go-to-market opportunities and partner-to-partner engagements.

Driving connection

In partnership with the Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA) and Blacks at Microsoft (BAM), the BPGI team activated a 10-city tour hosting Innovation Forum workshops in areas where BPGI partners build solutions and services for their customers and where there was strong local community engagement. This process has allowed us to connect with companies driving cutting-edge solutions across a range of areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse, Cybersecurity, and Modern Workplace. To date, we’ve visited Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, providing an opportunity for members of the BPGI community to engage in interactive sessions designed to support their growth, development, sales acceleration, and success. ​

During each Forum, we’ve had an opportunity to provide insight on navigating the Microsoft sales landscape; explored solution areas that are of most interest to our customers; and, perhaps most importantly, shared tools, resources, and strategies that will—in the words of BCPA—help BPGI partners “make money with Microsoft.”  We help new and existing BPGI partners connect with other technology leaders, provide guidance on maximizing the program, and identify new areas for driving revenue growth for BPGI partners. The Forums also drive partner-to-partner engagement and innovation.

Like my colleagues on the BPGI team, I’m excited to work with companies each day that are breaking down physical and virtual barriers, creating technologies impacting organizations across the planet, and redefining the technology industry through creativity, grit, and determination. We celebrate those contributing to society and shaping the world through innovation, transforming the business landscape in every sector.

What’s next

On May 17 we’ll host our inaugural Innovation Summit at the Microsoft Redmond Headquarters. The Innovation Summit will feature executive thought leadership, talks, and workshops from industry leaders and C-level executives within Microsoft. This partner-focused Summit will serve as the graduation of our FY23 Catalyst Accelerator cohort, and attendees will also be able to participate in the inaugural Golf Classic hosted by BCPA. Share this opportunity! We’re also seeking brands, businesses, and teams interested in exhibiting for our BPGI Partners and volunteers who want to donate a helping hand. Please email ptnrsupp@microsoft.com for additional details.​

Partner calls to action

• • Register now for the Innovation Summit on May 17 in Redmond, WA.
  • Learn more about our fantastic partner, the Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA).
  • Register now for BCPA’s Golf Tournament on May 18 in Newcastle, WA.
  • Amplify the Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI).

Related posts

Together We Grow: Creating Opportunities Through Partnership – US Partner Community Blog

Early success of Black Partner Growth Initiative partners paves the way for new accelerator & special programs – US Partner Community Blog

Closing the Opportunity Gap and Advancing Racial Justice in the Tech Industry – US Partner Community Blog

Accelerator program launching to support Black partners – US Partner Community Blog

Join the conversation

Want to hear about what Microsoft and other US partners think about the Black Partner Growth Initiative? Head over to the Microsoft US Partner Community on LinkedIn.

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

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In honor of National Black Business Month, we celebrate the impact and opportunities that arise when our partners collaborate. We are privileged to work with many innovative, game-changing small businesses.

We aim to deepen our relationship with these partners through programs like the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative that support our small-to-medium (SMB) sized partners as they create a profound impact on the Microsoft Partner ecosystem.

As part of this commitment, in Q3 of FY22, select partners within the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative participated in the BPGI Accelerator program, which facilitates community building and business growth among the program participants.

Four BPGI partners came together to demonstrate how close collaboration can help all of us achieve more. These four partners built a new framework in what is now called “Information Technology Partners” (ITP). They include:

• Jody Mitchell, CEO and founder of Directed Analytics, based in Washington DC
• William Storey, founder and CEO of Advanced Consulting Experts, LLC of Columbus, GA
• John Igbokwe, President, TechAxia headquartered in Denver, CO
• Dele Ojelabi, a professor of computer science at Marquette University and Principal at Comcentia, of Milwaukee, WI

A Cooperative Network of Smaller Tech Businesses

The four partners recognized that their unique areas of expertise meshed well, and each had been looking for ways to create lasting partnerships, lend their unique subject matter expertise, and draw on the skills and talents of the others—without sacrificing their individual ventures.

That realization led to the creation of Information Technology Partners, a hub connecting the four companies, pooling resources, skills, and brainpower to create a more competitive and complementary suite of offerings for their clients.

Dele Ojelabi explained, “For each of us, being smaller companies, the challenge is having the resources to compete against big companies. By working together, we bring all those skills to the table, with experts behind each of them, making us much more competitive than we would be individually.”

Jody Mitchell said that it was the BPGI Accelerator that provided the environment for this collaboration. “As entrepreneurs, we only have so much time and so many resources available to us,” he said. “I am always looking for ways to optimize my processes and to grow in ways that get the best results. With the Black Partner Growth Initiative, there was an immediate atmosphere of organic trust and a willingness to at least listen, if not work together. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.”

John Igbokwe added, “As soon as we began talking, and now as we’ve been working together, we realize we have complementary skill sets that allow us to access markets and client networks that we may have never had access to as individuals.”

“We” is Stronger than “Me”

While the Black Partner Growth Initiative and other SMB programs were created as a foundation to help partner communities strengthen their core businesses and go-to-market strategies, what we are seeing—especially in examples like ITP—is that partner-to-partner collaboration yields even greater success.

“There was something different about that first BPGI connection. Meeting so many other professionals in that way was really invigorating,” said William Storey.

“When we looked at our market penetration and performance over the past few years in each of our individual specialties, we realized that as a group ITP is as competitive as many larger technology companies. That’s game changing,” Jody Mitchell said.

The basis for successful cooperative partnership and complementary affiliation begins with trust, according to the members of ITP. In the process of preparing a bid for a federal contract, they realized that one partner was better suited for the work than the collective. The other three partners stepped aside in favor of the one partner submitting the bid, while still contributing time and resources to ensure that the individual bid is successful. “If he wins it, we all win in the long run,” Dele Ojelabi said.

Looking forward, ITP is looking for opportunities for more federal contracts, and to partner with Microsoft to deliver solutions, both as a long-held goal, and as a validation of partners making more possible.

Get involved

• Join the Black Partner Growth Initiative
• Learn more about the Black Partner Growth Initiative accelerator program
• Learn more about how you can support by emailing us at ptnrsupp@microsoft.com
• Connect with the Black Channel Partner Alliance 

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

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Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program – Partner Capability Score Dashboard
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Microsoft Partner Network news

• Celebrating Black futures this Juneteenth
• Microsoft Inspire – register today!
• Explore Microsoft virtualization options during DISRUPT on Tour 2022
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Counter cyber threats as a Solutions partner for Security
• This year’s Microsoft Build introduced additional ISV partner opportunities
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• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Unlock new opportunities in security with Microsoft Defender for Business
• Azure Cloud Week offers new skills and benefits for Microsoft partners
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• What’s new for Microsoft partners: April 2022 edition
• Becoming a Solutions partner for Modern Work
• Attaining the new Solutions partner designation for Business Applications
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
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Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• What you need to know about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program
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• Empowering Partners through the Small Business Digital Alliance
• Healthcare trends & key takeaways from HIMMS 2022
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• May 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• How to solve business challenges and grow through Azure Marketplace
• #BuildFor2030: Accelerating solutions for a sustainable future
• New Commerce in CSP: What’s in it for me?
• PwC helps farming co-op streamline finance operations with Dynamics 365
• Skill-up your sales team via the Microsoft Cloud Sales Bootcamp series
• “Get to yes” with the new Partner Sales Acceleration Program
• April 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• Urgent hybrid work challenge is opportunity for partners
• Women in Cloud: Creating a global network for economic access
• How we can save the planet while empowering everyone to achieve more
• Microsoft Defender for Business: Security designed for SMBs now included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network

Upcoming community calls, events, and webcasts

Microsoft Partner Network news

• Explore Microsoft virtualization options during DISRUPT on Tour 2022
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Counter cyber threats as a Solutions partner for Security
• This year’s Microsoft Build introduced additional ISV partner opportunities
• Accessibility enables greater innovation for everyone
• Drive cloud transformation with Azure-related solutions partner designations
• Next steps for Rodney Clark
• Small business: the opportunity for business transformation
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Unlock new opportunities in security with Microsoft Defender for Business
• Azure Cloud Week offers new skills and benefits for Microsoft partners
• Discover how to transform project management in hybrid work environments
• What’s new for Microsoft partners: April 2022 edition
• Becoming a Solutions partner for Modern Work
• Attaining the new Solutions partner designation for Business Applications
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Creating a security mindset with Microsoft partner technical workshops: Secure All the Things!
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Guiding successful sales conversations across the Microsoft cloud portfolio

Featured videos

• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Securing Synapse Pipelines with Azure Key Vault
• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Power BI Deployment Pipelines
• Azure Data Academy – Intro to Azure Database for MySQL Flexible Server
• Azure Data Academy – PostgreSQL Extensions in Azure Databases
• Modern Analytics Academy Synapse Data Explorer Overview Session
• Azure Data Academy: Introduction to Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server
• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Schema Design in SQL Pools
• Sell your SaaS solutions through the Microsoft Marketplace and get Cloud discounts with a MACC
• Introduction to Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – Offers UX Demo
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Learning news

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• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Unscheduled breaks now available in most exams without requesting in advance
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: April 2022 roundup
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• Al-Quds University offers a competitive edge with Microsoft Certifications
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Exam DP-500 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure enterprise data analyst
• Skill up on cybersecurity with a White House Summit-inspired collection
• New certification for Exchange Support Engineers
• New certification for Power Automate RPA Developers
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: March 2022 roundup
• New certification for Security Architects
• Ready to renew your Microsoft Certification? Get started with our top FAQs.
• Microsoft Power Platform lights up a young learner’s passion for tech
• Exam AZ-720 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure support engineer for connectivity

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• What you need to know about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program
• Before Inspire: Brush up on Microsoft Cloud for Industry Solutions
• Empowering Partners through the Small Business Digital Alliance
• Healthcare trends & key takeaways from HIMMS 2022
• See what’s new on the Azure Hub for ISVs
• May 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• How to solve business challenges and grow through Azure Marketplace
• #BuildFor2030: Accelerating solutions for a sustainable future
• New Commerce in CSP: What’s in it for me?
• PwC helps farming co-op streamline finance operations with Dynamics 365
• Skill-up your sales team via the Microsoft Cloud Sales Bootcamp series
• “Get to yes” with the new Partner Sales Acceleration Program
• April 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• Urgent hybrid work challenge is opportunity for partners
• Women in Cloud: Creating a global network for economic access
• How we can save the planet while empowering everyone to achieve more
• Microsoft Defender for Business: Security designed for SMBs now included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network

Upcoming community calls, events, and webcasts

Microsoft Partner Network news

• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Counter cyber threats as a Solutions partner for Security
• This year’s Microsoft Build introduced additional ISV partner opportunities
• Accessibility enables greater innovation for everyone
• Drive cloud transformation with Azure-related solutions partner designations
• Next steps for Rodney Clark
• Small business: the opportunity for business transformation
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Unlock new opportunities in security with Microsoft Defender for Business
• Azure Cloud Week offers new skills and benefits for Microsoft partners
• Discover how to transform project management in hybrid work environments
• What’s new for Microsoft partners: April 2022 edition
• Becoming a Solutions partner for Modern Work
• Attaining the new Solutions partner designation for Business Applications
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Creating a security mindset with Microsoft partner technical workshops: Secure All the Things!
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Guiding successful sales conversations across the Microsoft cloud portfolio
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs

Featured videos

• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Power BI Deployment Pipelines
• Azure Data Academy – Intro to Azure Database for MySQL Flexible Server
• Azure Data Academy – PostgreSQL Extensions in Azure Databases
• Modern Analytics Academy Synapse Data Explorer Overview Session
• Azure Data Academy: Introduction to Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server
• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Schema Design in SQL Pools
• Sell your SaaS solutions through the Microsoft Marketplace and get Cloud discounts with a MACC
• Introduction to Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – Offers UX Demo
• Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – ACM UX Demo
• Introduction to Microsoft Private Azure Marketplace

Learning news

• Use Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals to help open new career paths
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Security, Compliance, and Identity on Microsoft Learn
• Explore technical innovations and skill up at Microsoft Build
• Discover Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Unscheduled breaks now available in most exams without requesting in advance
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: April 2022 roundup
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Security, Compliance, and Identity on Microsoft Learn
• Al-Quds University offers a competitive edge with Microsoft Certifications
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Exam DP-500 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure enterprise data analyst
• Skill up on cybersecurity with a White House Summit-inspired collection
• New certification for Exchange Support Engineers
• New certification for Power Automate RPA Developers
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: March 2022 roundup
• New certification for Security Architects
• Ready to renew your Microsoft Certification? Get started with our top FAQs.
• Microsoft Power Platform lights up a young learner’s passion for tech
• Exam AZ-720 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure support engineer for connectivity

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• Before Inspire: Brush up on Microsoft Cloud for Industry Solutions
• Empowering Partners through the Small Business Digital Alliance
• Healthcare trends & key takeaways from HIMMS 2022
• See what’s new on the Azure Hub for ISVs
• May 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• How to solve business challenges and grow through Azure Marketplace
• #BuildFor2030: Accelerating solutions for a sustainable future
• New Commerce in CSP: What’s in it for me?
• PwC helps farming co-op streamline finance operations with Dynamics 365
• Skill-up your sales team via the Microsoft Cloud Sales Bootcamp series
• “Get to yes” with the new Partner Sales Acceleration Program
• April 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• Urgent hybrid work challenge is opportunity for partners
• Women in Cloud: Creating a global network for economic access
• How we can save the planet while empowering everyone to achieve more
• Microsoft Defender for Business: Security designed for SMBs now included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network

Upcoming community calls, events, and webcasts

Microsoft Partner Network news

• This year’s Microsoft Build introduced additional ISV partner opportunities
• Accessibility enables greater innovation for everyone
• Drive cloud transformation with Azure-related solutions partner designations
• Next steps for Rodney Clark
• Small business: the opportunity for business transformation
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Unlock new opportunities in security with Microsoft Defender for Business
• Azure Cloud Week offers new skills and benefits for Microsoft partners
• Discover how to transform project management in hybrid work environments
• What’s new for Microsoft partners: April 2022 edition
• Becoming a Solutions partner for Modern Work
• Attaining the new Solutions partner designation for Business Applications
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Creating a security mindset with Microsoft partner technical workshops: Secure All the Things!
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Guiding successful sales conversations across the Microsoft cloud portfolio
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Partner Innovation series: Long Range Wide Area Networks
• How to maximize your discoverability with business profile and marketplace

Featured videos

• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Power BI Deployment Pipelines
• Azure Data Academy – Intro to Azure Database for MySQL Flexible Server
• Azure Data Academy – PostgreSQL Extensions in Azure Databases
• Modern Analytics Academy Synapse Data Explorer Overview Session
• Azure Data Academy: Introduction to Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server
• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Schema Design in SQL Pools
• Sell your SaaS solutions through the Microsoft Marketplace and get Cloud discounts with a MACC
• Introduction to Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – Offers UX Demo
• Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – ACM UX Demo
• Introduction to Microsoft Private Azure Marketplace

Learning news

• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Security, Compliance, and Identity on Microsoft Learn
• Explore technical innovations and skill up at Microsoft Build
• Discover Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Unscheduled breaks now available in most exams without requesting in advance
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: April 2022 roundup
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Security, Compliance, and Identity on Microsoft Learn
• Al-Quds University offers a competitive edge with Microsoft Certifications
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Exam DP-500 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure enterprise data analyst
• Skill up on cybersecurity with a White House Summit-inspired collection
• New certification for Exchange Support Engineers
• New certification for Power Automate RPA Developers
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: March 2022 roundup
• New certification for Security Architects
• Ready to renew your Microsoft Certification? Get started with our top FAQs.
• Microsoft Power Platform lights up a young learner’s passion for tech
• Exam AZ-720 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure support engineer for connectivity
• Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event  April 6, 2022

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on MPC.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• Before Inspire: Brush up on Microsoft Cloud for Industry Solutions
• Empowering Partners through the Small Business Digital Alliance
• Healthcare trends & key takeaways from HIMMS 2022
• See what’s new on the Azure Hub for ISVs
• May 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• How to solve business challenges and grow through Azure Marketplace
• #BuildFor2030: Accelerating solutions for a sustainable future
• New Commerce in CSP: What’s in it for me?
• PwC helps farming co-op streamline finance operations with Dynamics 365
• Skill-up your sales team via the Microsoft Cloud Sales Bootcamp series
• “Get to yes” with the new Partner Sales Acceleration Program
• April 2022 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• Urgent hybrid work challenge is opportunity for partners
• Women in Cloud: Creating a global network for economic access
• How we can save the planet while empowering everyone to achieve more
• Microsoft Defender for Business: Security designed for SMBs now included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network

Upcoming community calls, events, and webcasts

Microsoft Partner Network news

• Accessibility enables greater innovation for everyone
• Drive cloud transformation with Azure-related solutions partner designations
• Next steps for Rodney Clark
• Small business: the opportunity for business transformation
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Unlock new opportunities in security with Microsoft Defender for Business
• Azure Cloud Week offers new skills and benefits for Microsoft partners
• Discover how to transform project management in hybrid work environments
• What’s new for Microsoft partners: April 2022 edition
• Becoming a Solutions partner for Modern Work
• Attaining the new Solutions partner designation for Business Applications
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Creating a security mindset with Microsoft partner technical workshops: Secure All the Things!
• Learn to sell the Microsoft Cloud and drive business transformation with Sales Bootcamps
• Guiding successful sales conversations across the Microsoft cloud portfolio
• Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs
• Partner Innovation series: Long Range Wide Area Networks
• How to maximize your discoverability with business profile and marketplace
• Seizing the opportunities of an inclusive economy

Featured videos

• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Power BI Deployment Pipelines
• Azure Data Academy – Intro to Azure Database for MySQL Flexible Server
• Azure Data Academy – PostgreSQL Extensions in Azure Databases
• Modern Analytics Academy Synapse Data Explorer Overview Session
• Azure Data Academy: Introduction to Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server
• Modern Analytics Academy Vignette: Schema Design in SQL Pools
• Sell your SaaS solutions through the Microsoft Marketplace and get Cloud discounts with a MACC
• Introduction to Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – Offers UX Demo
• Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) – ACM UX Demo
• Introduction to Microsoft Private Azure Marketplace

Learning news

• Explore technical innovations and skill up at Microsoft Build
• Discover Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Unscheduled breaks now available in most exams without requesting in advance
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: April 2022 roundup
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Security, Compliance, and Identity on Microsoft Learn
• Al-Quds University offers a competitive edge with Microsoft Certifications
• The 2-Minute Recap: Everything new with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Learn
• Exam DP-500 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure enterprise data analyst
• Skill up on cybersecurity with a White House Summit-inspired collection
• New certification for Exchange Support Engineers
• New certification for Power Automate RPA Developers
• New Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training: March 2022 roundup
• New certification for Security Architects
• Ready to renew your Microsoft Certification? Get started with our top FAQs.
• Microsoft Power Platform lights up a young learner’s passion for tech
• Exam AZ-720 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure support engineer for connectivity
• Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event  April 6, 2022
• ‘Be open, be flexible’: Skilling and the learning culture at Deutsche Telekom and T-Systems

 Small business trends. What to expect and how to adjust. 

Join us virtually for Small Business Connect and Learn, an event designed to inspire small business owners and decision makers. 

Leading the conversation is award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist Natalie Cofield. She will cover trending topics such as remote work, reaching new customers and the right tech investments to grow your business. Natalie will be available online to answer your questions during the event.  

If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, attend this session and learn how to: 

• Productively connect, collaborate and reach more customers  
• Drive growth and scale your business  
• Understand the technology needed to help your business thrive 
• Navigate the small business landscape  

Reserve your free spot now!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft joined the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) as a national member in April, 2022, to deepen our investment in you. The SBDA provides small businesses with free tools, training, and other resources you need to continue to innovate and reach new customers. By joining the SBDA, Microsoft is reaffirming our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

SBDA drives innovation and business growth 

The Small Business Digital Alliance is a co-sponsorship between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Business Forward, Inc., a nonprofit organization working with local business leaders across America to create jobs and accelerate the economy.

Members of the Small Business Digital Alliance are among the nation’s most well-respected companies representing a wide range of specialized industries. Through SBDA, leaders and influencers in technology, business, and other aligned spaces help connect small businesses with critical digital tools and resources to fuel business growth. By bringing together major players, the SBDA aims to:

• Provide small businesses with access to competitive opportunities.
• Lower barriers to entry for all small businesses, with an emphasis on historically underserved and disadvantaged communities.
• Help entrepreneurs expand their networks so they can acquire new customers and build stronger relationships with vendors, lenders, and stakeholders.

As a Microsoft partner, this initiative will:

• Provide the tools and training you need to continue to innovate and grow your business—all free of charge.
• Connect you with potential customers looking for the digital tools and skilling you can provide.

Get started

Check out some of the free digital tools and training available to help you grow your business and scale for success, including Microsoft’s digital resources and the SBDA Digital Library.

Learn more about SBDA and get started today!