Industry Newsskills developmentfourth industrial revolutionmicrosoftsmmes
Microsoft Launches Mission Next Equity Programme
7.1
Microsoft today launched Mission Next, an Equity Equivalent Investment Programme to support black-owned South African SMMEs earning at least R1 million in annual revenue. The initiative offers funding pathways, mentorship, digital tools and upskilling in AI, machine learning, data engineering and cybersecurity to accelerate scale. Applications for the next cohort close March 30, 2026.
Key Points
- 1Launches Mission Next EEIP to support black-owned SMMEs earning at least R1 million
- 2Addresses systemic barriers with funding, mentorship, digital tools, and sector-specific accelerators
- 3Enables scalable growth and global competitiveness for selected SMMEs; applications due March 30, 2026
Scoring Rationale
Program provides credible, actionable support for SMMEs but is regionally focused and primarily promotional in nature.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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