At Microsoft, we recognize the vital role our partners play in driving innovation and delivering compelling solutions to customers worldwide. We believe in fostering a partner ecosystem that strengthens our collective ability to create meaningful impact. As part of this effort, we regularly highlight stories and resources that elevate entrepreneurs, business leaders, and organizations. These stories demonstrate how our partner ecosystem fosters growth, empowers businesses, and creates meaningful opportunities—not just for partners but also for the broader communities they serve.
In this blog, we’ll explore how partners can access information, resources, and support systems designed to help them achieve their goals. We’ll also explore ways to connect with like-minded collaborators who share their visions and aspirations.
The Black Partner Growth Initiative: A pathway to success
Each February, we honor Black History Month in the United States and celebrate the continued empowerment of entrepreneurs and innovators through impactful initiatives. The Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) was created to help unlock opportunities for Black-owned tech businesses, empowering them to achieve sustainable growth and success.
Since its inception, BPGI has supported tech entrepreneurs by raising awareness in the community about the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, which includes hundreds of thousands of companies within the ecosystem. BPGI provides tailored guidance, skilling, and mentorship opportunities to help partners overcome challenges and scale their businesses effectively. To date, BPGI has helped hundreds of businesses understand how to develop innovative solutions and strengthen their market presence.
In collaboration with the Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA), BPGI ensures that partners understand how to access resources and become part of a broader ecosystem fostering partner-to-partner collaboration and mutual success. BPGI and BCPA both share information about resources that are available to all partners within the AI Cloud Partner Program.
Partner Success Stories: Innovation in action
Here are just a few examples of how partners have tapped into Microsoft’s resources and the power of community to achieve extraordinary outcomes:
Ludia Consulting specializes in creating business applications with Microsoft Dynamics 365 to optimize physical operations across industries such as manufacturing, energy, and professional services. Their experience has led to significant pipeline growth and collaboration with Microsoft Teams.
“Since joining BCPA and BPGI, our sales pipeline has grown significantly. Now, we’re innovating and sharing ideas with Microsoft engineering teams to create better offerings, knowledgeable solutions, and better outcomes for our customers.”
- Lucas Diaz
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Cyproteck provides end-to-end cybersecurity protection for small businesses, specializing in systems that safeguard sensitive data and enhance operations. Using Modern Work and Microsoft Azure, they built a secure system for a healthcare provider and introduced the CyproSecure Network Security Dashboard, which seamlessly connects with Microsoft Defender to elevate protection and efficiency.
“Without BPGI, I would not be able to say that we have 1,000 customers, that we’re global, that I'm on the trajectory of hiring another 80 people into my company. The growth has been phenomenal, and it's continuing to grow.”
- Cherie Griffith-Dunn
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Engaged Media is a pioneering immersive experience SaaS-PaaS company, recognized as a leading Black-owned firm specializing in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and video game development and publishing. With a strong focus on creating immersive content, the company has delivered transformative experiences for esteemed clients, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Black College Football Hall of Fame, Texas A&M University, Underwriters Laboratories, and more. As the first Black-owned, woman-owned company to establish its own volumetric Mixed Reality Capture Stage (MRCS) in Texas, Engaged Media Studios has also earned a prestigious Mixed Reality Capture Studio license. The company’s cutting-edge platform is built entirely on Microsoft technology, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and industry leadership in the immersive media space.
“Microsoft is very proactive and committed to working with technologists. That partnership lends itself to the ability to not only build a community but technology, collaboration, and solutions to customers and clients as well. This was extremely important and made a huge difference in the growth and scale of where Engaged Media started and where we are today.”
- Jacqueline Shorter-Beauchamp
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Ntegral is an independent software vendor (ISV) offering optimized and secure enterprise workload solutions for businesses, governments, and non-profits. They specialize across cloud infrastructures to offer 250+ in-market products as well as DevOps and IT Consulting for our clients across the globe. They are a thought leader in architecting “Infrastructure as Code as a Service” innovation to serve fortune brands and enterprises to achieve their business outcomes.
“Being a part of BPGI provided us with access to resources, access to capital, a network to understand and vet our technology to accelerate what we're capable of doing in a shorter period of time. Through our partnership with Microsoft, we sell our products in the Azure Marketplace. We've sold over 22,000 product downloads in the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace to enhance business efficiency across various industries with Infrastructure and Digital & App Innovation. It gives us the ability to now leverage 10x 100x our footprint from a sales perspective, and we continue to add value through those partnerships and in those relationships.”
- Dexter Hardy
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The stories shared here represent just a fraction of the overall impact our partners create. Find more partner stories on our site.
As we celebrate their achievements, we remain committed to amplifying these successes and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation. Consider joining us in fostering a stronger, more collaborative partner ecosystem—one that benefits businesses and communities alike.
Looking ahead: Deepening collaboration and expanding opportunities
The success of our partner ecosystem lies in its collaborative nature and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of businesses. As we refine and expand the Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) globally, we are also deepening our alignment with the Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA) and other partner-led associations. This alignment ensures broader reach and enhanced support for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Tech entrepreneurs who become members of the BCPA community can then apply to be part of a BPGI cohort. Membership in BCPA offers:
- Training: Access to relevant information about Microsoft resources, tools, and business development workshops to serve the whole business owner.
- Mentorship: Connection to guidance from senior advisors.
- Community networking: Engagement with Microsoft stakeholders, other partners, and industry leaders through curated events.
- Access to cohort programs: Tailored programming designed to help members achieve success.
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to become members of BCPA before their application to a BPGI cohort and accelerator. Entrepreneurs must also be part of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) with a valid partner ID before applying to a BPGI cohort. To express interest in applying to a BPGI cohort, use your business email to fill out the interest form and receive instructions for the formal application process.
BCPA represents one of several communities available to all partners, reinforcing our commitment to and ensuring that partners can access resources aligned with their needs. Learn more about other partner-led efforts to support you by revisiting a recent blog here.
Microsoft’s commitment: Building a thriving partner ecosystem
Our commitment to empowering partners extends to everyone. By focusing on the business value of collaboration and innovation, we aim to create an environment where all partners can thrive. Whether you are a part of a global enterprise or an emerging startup, our ecosystem provides the resources, tools, and connections needed to grow and succeed.
Learn more and explore additional partner resources, or express interest in joining the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program here.
Looking for additional support? Microsoft leads several initiatives designed to empower and enable its partner ecosystem. These initiatives provide invaluable resources to drive innovation, foster inclusion, and advance digital transformation:
- Microsoft for Startups: Helping founders accelerate their business journeys with tools, mentorship, and go-to-market resources.
- Microsoft Tech for Social Impact: Equipping nonprofits with technology to amplify their missions.
- ISV Success: Providing independent software vendors with tools and guidance to accelerate app development and publishing.
Learn more about other partner-led efforts to support you by revisiting a recent blog here.
Be sure to join our partner-led communities Inclusive Growth and IAMCP - International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners to stay up to date on all announcements.
Microsoft’s partner ecosystem thrives on collaboration and shared growth. By engaging with partner-led organizations and Microsoft-led initiatives, you can unlock resources, connections, and opportunities that drive success. Explore these programs, join a community, and take the next step in your journey today.