When we first started building RoryPlans, I knew we were onto something special. But I also knew that building an AI-powered productivity platform would require more than just great technology – it would require the right partnerships, infrastructure, and support system. That's when we decided to apply to both Google AI Startup Program and Microsoft for Startups.
Why We Applied to Both Programs
Many founders ask me why we didn't just pick one program. The truth is, Google and Microsoft offer complementary strengths that aligned perfectly with our needs. Google's AI expertise and cloud infrastructure were crucial for our machine learning capabilities, while Microsoft's enterprise focus and productivity suite integration were essential for our go-to-market strategy.
Both companies have made significant investments in supporting AI startups, and we wanted to leverage the best of both ecosystems. The application process for each was rigorous but fair, focusing on our technology, market opportunity, and team capabilities.
The Google AI Startup Program Experience
Google's program provided us with incredible technical resources and mentorship. Access to Google Cloud credits was obviously valuable, but the real game-changer was the direct access to trainings and their latest tools and APIs.
Microsoft for Startups: Enterprise Focus
Microsoft's approach was different but equally valuable. Their program is laser-focused on helping startups build enterprise-ready solutions, which aligned perfectly with our vision for RoryPlans as a professional productivity platform.
Key Benefits We Received
Technical Infrastructure
Combined, the cloud credits from both programs gave us the runway to build and test our AI models without worrying about infrastructure costs. This was crucial in our early days when we were iterating rapidly and needed to experiment with different approaches.
Mentorship and Expertise
Access to technical experts from both companies accelerated our development significantly. Whether it was fine-tuning our models or designing for enterprise security requirements, having world-class mentors made all the difference.
Credibility and Validation
Being accepted into both programs provided significant credibility when talking to investors, customers, and potential team members. The validation from two tech giants that our vision was worth supporting opened many doors.
Challenges and Learnings
Managing relationships with two major tech companies wasn't always straightforward. Each had their own processes, requirements, and expectations. We had to be thoughtful about how we leveraged each partnership without creating conflicts.
The key was transparency. We were upfront with both Google and Microsoft about our dual participation, and both companies were supportive. They understood that startups need to leverage multiple resources to succeed, and there was actually some healthy competition that worked in our favor.
One challenge was avoiding over-dependence on any single platform. While the support was incredible, we made sure to build RoryPlans in a way that could work across different cloud providers and integrate with various productivity suites.
Impact on Our Growth
The impact of both programs on RoryPlans' growth cannot be overstated. The technical resources allowed us to build a more sophisticated product faster.
Perhaps most importantly, both programs helped us think bigger about our opportunity. The support and validation from Google and Microsoft gave us the confidence to pursue enterprise customers and build features that we might have considered too ambitious otherwise.
Advice for Other Founders
If you're building an AI or enterprise-focused startup, I highly recommend applying to both programs. Here are my key pieces of advice:
- Be clear about your value proposition: Both programs receive thousands of applications. Make sure your unique value is crystal clear.
- Show traction: Having early customers or strong user engagement signals significantly improves your chances.
- Think about integration opportunities: Both companies want to see how your startup can enhance their ecosystem.
- Be prepared to move fast: Once accepted, both programs move quickly. Be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
- Maintain independence: While leveraging the support, make sure you're building a sustainable business that isn't overly dependent on any single partner.
Looking Forward
Our relationships with both Google and Microsoft continue to evolve as RoryPlans grows. What started as startup program participation has developed into ongoing partnerships that benefit all parties involved.
The foundation we built through these programs – the technical infrastructure, the enterprise relationships, the credibility – continues to pay dividends as we scale. We're now in a position to help other startups navigate similar partnerships, and we're committed to paying forward the support we received.
For any founder considering these programs, my message is simple: if you have a compelling vision and the determination to execute, these partnerships can be transformational. The key is being strategic about how you leverage the support to build something truly valuable for your customers.