April 19, 2024
Startups
Microsoft, The Shortcut joining hands to offer tech training
HELSINKI -- “The seats you are sitting on are something of a legend, as they come from Microsoft’s co-working space right here in Helsinki,” said Anne Badan, co-founder and CEO of not-for-profit organization The Shortcut on Nov. 19.
For three years, Microsoft operated its co-working space, Flux, which in 2017 ranked among Helsinki’s top 10 such spaces. Instead of disposing of all the furniture, equipment and appliances when Flux closed, Microsoft decided to donate them to The Shortcut.
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From left: The Shortcut Co-founder and CEO Anne Badan, Microsoft Accelerator Bangalore’s CTO-in-Residence Muniraju Pulipalyam, Microsoft for Startups Mumbai‘s CTO-in-Residence Vinayak Hegde, Microsoft for startups MEA Managing Director Roberto Croci, The Shortcut Tech Lead Mojjammil Khandker, Microsoft for Startups UK Managing Director Amali de Alwis. |
“It was super cool that we found a new home for everything with someone who has the same values, and that it didn’t end up in some random office,” said Drazen Dodik, Microsoft Azure developer product marketing manager, at a lunch held at The Shortcut for its members and Microsoft staff.
When asked how the decision was made so quickly, Dodik said it was all about the team. “We have people in different areas such as legal and communications all helping out, and that led to a fast and efficient decision.”
Microsoft is now participating big time in The Shortcut’s activities, as it has begun to take part in training for entrepreneurs and individuals wanting jobs with its Azure certification. “It’s great to see when people actually get employed,” said Dodik.
Badan added that such certificates provide applicants with more skills and the confidence to push forward.
The Shortcut’s focus lies in optimising under utilised skilled people who are having a hard time finding jobs in Finland, due to language or access to networks. In addition, it also involves people either interested in working for tech startups or create their own companies and don’t have the necessary support yet in order to do so.
The Shortcut, located in the startup hub of Maria 01 in Helsinki's city center, is the sister organization of Slush, Wave Ventures, Maria 01 and Junction under the nonprofit Startup Foundation.
By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)
