Microsoft and Accenture Support Sustainability and Social Impact-Focused Start-Ups in ANZ Through Project Amplify
Joint initiative helps local start-ups scale as they focus on innovation with impact
Microsoft News Center
Microsoft and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) are collaborating to support Australian and New Zealand start-ups focused on sustainability and social impact. The joint initiative, called Project Amplify, provides hands-on support and technologies to help social enterprises develop proof-of-concepts, scale emerging solutions, and refine their business models.
Nine ANZ start-ups have joined Project Amplify and will receive access to digital technology, mentoring and collaboration opportunities with Microsoft and Accenture experts, as part of a structured one-year program.
Sustainability is a focus for many of the start-ups which are exploring how cloud, data and artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to help organisations meet their sustainability targets, reduce waste and optimise operations.
For example, givvable helps businesses find, source and verify a supplier’s sustainable, social and circular credentials; 4ZeroTechnologies is working on sustainability digital twin solutions; Build-Apps is helping commercial real estate organisations leverage their data to ensure they meet United Nations sustainable development goals; and Sustinent is a biotech tackling problematic green waste on an industrial scale.
Brett Shoemaker, director sustainability, Microsoft ANZ said; “Driving sustainability across all sectors of the economy is one of the great challenges of our time. It is a great privilege to work with Accenture and these young businesses as they strive to deliver innovation with impact.
Project Amplify has been designed to streamline access to leading digital technologies and skills, as well as expertise and global networks that will support these Australian and New Zealand businesses as they bring their ideas to life, focussed on improved sustainability and social impact.
Scott Hahn, senior managing director and Technology lead for Accenture Australia and New Zealand said, “Start-ups in ANZ are finding innovative ways to solve critical sustainability and social challenges but need support to scale their solutions and amplify their reach and impact.
Bringing together Accenture and Microsoft’s global experience, extensive talent ecosystems, and access to technology and best practices, we can help to significantly improve access, equality, inclusion, education, health, sustainability, and the environment.”
The nine Australian and New Zealand companies which will participate in Project Amplify are:
givvable – a platform to search, scan and verify sustainability credentials, attributes and initiatives of new and existing suppliers – anywhere in the world
Build-Apps – The Cloud for Commercial Real Estate. Enabling portfolios to own, control and govern their data to achieve sustainability goals.
PlanCare – an online platform, helping Australians self-manage their own in-home care & supports.
AgUnity – a global technology platform that empowers thousands of organisations working to address UN SDGs to connect Last Mile communities with a cost-effective smartphone and the AgUnity ‘super-app’ that restores trust and enables remote connection to the world’s poorest smallholder farmers.
4ZeroTechnologies – sustainability digital twin that uses intelligent IOT to help organisations track and manage key sustainability metrics across their supply chain.
The Clinician – a digital health company supporting the management of patient-generated health data and transformation of inefficient patient care pathways through digitisation.
Sustinent – a biotech that converts problematic crop residues (stalks, hulls, husks) into value-added bio-commodities, such as gourmet mushrooms and nutritionally enhanced stockfeed.
AskDora – uses AI to streamline health communications saving time, money and stress.
PlayLunch Games – Town Squared from Playlunch Games, helps maths-anxious children feel more confident, by making maths relevant, fun and social.
This ANZ Project Amplify cohort is part of Project Amplify’s recently expanded efforts to support entrepreneurs across Asia Pacific with solutions focused on sustainability, healthcare, education and agriculture. The initiative has a long-term goal of accelerating the regions potential and improving millions of lives by addressing diverse societal challenges.
