Microsoft Innovation Challenge
Blacks In Technology and Microsoft have teamed up to train and certify over 500 members on Microsoft Azure tools. The Innovation Challenge is designed to help groups who are underrepresented in the tech industry. Participants develop and validate the skills required to tackle complex enterprise business issues using Azure AI. In order to open doors to sought after professional opportunities, Microsoft will also showcase what these technologists can do and what they can bring to organizations.
This opportunity is open to Blacks In Technology members. If you are not yet a member, you can join here.
In 2024, the program will have two phases.
In the first phase, beginning in September, Microsoft will sponsor events that empower people from underrepresented groups through training and skilling.
In the second phase, individuals who have earned qualifying credentials through Azure Applied Skills or through certification exams, will be invited to take part in a two week hackathon where teams will build solutions that solve for real world AI use cases.
By registering for this event, you agree that your name, email address, and other contact information will be shared with Microsoft, a sponsor of the event, for marketing and promotional purposes. You can opt out of receiving communications from Microsoft at any time. Please review the event organizer’s privacy policy and Microsoft’s privacy policy https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement for more details on how your data will be used and protected.
Phase 1:
Certifications
& Applied Skills
The first step is to validate your skills with a Microsoft certification via self paced virtual learning paths and live technical tutors. Register and completed the training to receive a free voucher for certification of the following:
Phase 2:
2 Week Hackathon
In the second phase, individuals who have earned qualifying credentials through Azure Applied Skills or through certification exams, will be invited to take part in a two week hackathon where teams will build solutions that solve for real world AI use cases.
The hackathon is an invite only event in October that will be open to people who have achieved a qualifying credential as a result of their participation in a sponsored event series. Individuals will register in teams of five. In addition, each team can have a coach provided by the organization they are representing.
Teams will select a use case based on real world AI scenarios. They will have two weeks to build and solve for the use case they choose. Entries will be judged by Microsoft and 3rd party subject matter experts. Microsoft will provide the platform and environment for the hackathon. It will be possible to participate virtually as well as in person.
Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the best entries.
- One $10,000 top prize
- Two $5,000 second place prizes
- Three $2,500 third place prizes
Microsoft will showcase the winning solutions and teams in a blog post and in video interviews. All hackathon participants will also receive a badge for the hackathon.
Key Dates:
- Hackathon registration opens October 14
- Hackathon hacking October 21 – November 1
Apply for the Innovation Challenge
Accountability for Diversity & Inclusion
At Microsoft, diversity and inclusion is central to the mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Empowering underrepresented people through upskilling is a key part of this focus. To ensure that AI systems foster equity and empowerment for everyone, the Microsoft Responsible AI Standard is the playbook we use for building AI systems. The Innovation Challenge brings these threads together in a meaningful way to deliver impact for our communities.