The London & Partners Mayor’s International Business Programme (MIBP) is set to welcome its 17th cohort this Autumn, comprised of scaleups in the financial, business services, technology, creative, urban and life sciences sectors.

Those companies will benefit from a new strategic partnership with Microsoft, which will add engagement opportunities and technical and business support to the mentoring, workshops, access to trade missions and introductions to global corporates they already receive.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m thrilled Microsoft is continuing its collaboration with the capital’s tech sector and joining my International Business Programme as one of our official partners. As a world leader in the technology industry, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to offer London businesses the support they need to scale-up and make the most of their potential. I’m really looking forward to seeing the innovations that emerge from this important partnership.”

Microsoft joins the likes of Collinson, KPMG, Lloyds Bank, Taylor Wessing and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as partners of the MIBP, which has so far helped more than 900 London-based companies to grow internationally, creating over 1,700 jobs.

Amali de Alwis, Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups UK, said: “Startups are an indisputable innovation engine, and Microsoft is committed to partnering with founders and investors to help propel their growth. Technology has never played such a vital role in enabling businesses of all sizes to continue to operate and grow, as it does today. We are therefore pleased to announce our involvement in the London & Partners Mayor’s International Business Programme and look forward to supporting and enabling a wide range of London-based startups.”

Janet Coyle, Managing Director for Trade & Growth at London & Partners, added: “With the world adapting to remote work and using technology more than ever, our partnership with Microsoft couldn’t be more timely. I have no doubt that our cohort members will benefit enormously from Microsoft’s technical prowess and ever-expanding ecosystem, as they rise to the challenge of doing virtual business over the coming months.”

To find out more about the Mayor’s International Business Programme and apply for a place on the free, 12-month initiative, click here.

This is the latest collaboration between Microsoft and the Mayor of London. In November last year, Sadiq Khan visited the flagship Microsoft Store in London to launch the Civic Innovation Challenge. The initiative invites companies in the capital’s technology sector to come up with a solution to some of the city’s biggest problems. In turn, they will receive help and support to develop their idea.