Microsoft Innovation Centers provide customers and partners with a comprehensive set of programs and services. The goal of the centers is to foster innovation and growth in local software economies.
At the centers, we collaboratively focus on planning, researching, and developing of innovative software solutions with an ecosystem made up of industry, academic, and government partners.
The network of 60+ centers offers students, professional developers, architects, IT professionals, and researchers access to world-class facilities, consultants, and resources. In many cases, Microsoft and government, universities, and industry organizations jointly operate these facilities.
Microsoft Innovation Center program offerings are grouped into the following three areas that are key to the growth of software economies: Skills and Intellectual Capital, Industry Partnerships, and Innovation.
Skills and Intellectual Capital (software development courses, business skills and market development training, employment programs for students)
Intellectual capital programs are designed to help develop both business and technical skills. These programs include courses on software development, security, business skills and market development, and employment programs for students and instructor certification. Universities can also take advantage of these facilities to better understand how to establish and update computer networks, create courses, and develop curriculum
Industry partnerships (industry clusters, software quality certification, student research)
The Microsoft Innovation Centers foster partnerships between academia, the industry, and Microsoft. Industry partnerships include software industry clusters, software quality certification programs, and support for select student-led research projects. Proof-of-concept projects and workshops for software companies are also offered.
Innovation
Microsoft Innovation Centers help foster innovation through hands-on experiences and the use of custom courses. This includes many activities such as hands-on ISV Empowerment and Quality Assurance Initiatives labs for ISVs, startups, partners, students and entrepreneurs.
For more information about Microsoft Innovation Centers and to locate a center near you, contact us at micinfo@microsoft.com.
