Microsoft plans to expand this access to startups in its venture fund, M12, and eventually to other startup investors and accelerators. The goal is to lower the barrier to training and running AI models for promising startups. However, the free access will be time-bound and is intended to help startups test and trial their operations, not run them indefinitely.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft is updating its startup program, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, to include a no-cost Azure AI infrastructure option for startups to develop AI models.
- Y Combinator and its community of startup founders will be the first to gain access to these resources.
- Microsoft is also working with M12, its venture fund, and the startups in M12 portfolio to expand access to the clusters.
- While the access to AI resources is free, it will be time-bound and is intended to help startups test and trial their operations.