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What was the Agentic Launchpad?
Microsoft announced the Agentic Launchpad with NVIDIA and WeTransact on 4 November 2025. It was aimed at UK- and Ireland-based software startups and scale-ups developing agentic applications, intelligent systems or generative AI platforms. The initiative was part of a wider collaboration to help selected companies develop and scale their products.
Microsoft described the program as a way for participating companies to work with Microsoft and NVIDIA experts. Its announcement also framed the initiative in the context of Microsoft’s stated plan to invest $30 billion (£22 billion) in UK AI infrastructure and innovation. That figure is Microsoft’s own description of its investment commitment, not an independently audited total of spending.
What support did it offer?
The announced benefits focused on building products and reaching customers. They included:
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- Extreme AI Performance: Powered by NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip delivering 1 petaFLOP of AI performance and 128GB memory for 200B model fine-tuning.
- Developer-Optimized Platform: Designed for AI developers building secure, long-running agentic workflows, with compatibility across frameworks such as OpenClaw and NemoClaw, supporting private on-device inference, sandboxed execution, and governed data access.
- Scalable Architecture: Featuring NVIDIA NVLink-C2C for ultra-fast CPU-GPU memory communication and NVIDIA ConnectX-7 networking to support dual GX10 system stacking, unlocking superior scalability and performance.
- Advanced Thermal Design: Engineered cooling ensures sustained high performance and reliability in an ultra-small form factor.
- Full Stack AI Solution: The GB10 and NVIDIA AI software stack provide a full stack solution for AI development and deployment.
- Technical sessions and opportunities to co-innovate with Microsoft and NVIDIA experts.
- Credits through Microsoft programs; the announcement did not specify a cash grant or direct investment.
- Media campaigns, executive sponsorship and brand marketing.
- Help with marketplace presence and sales acceleration.
- Cohort networking, workshops and events. NVIDIA also said participants would have access to Deep Learning Institute training sessions and a network of experts.
The announcement described potential support, not a guaranteed financial return or a specific amount of credits for every participant. Founders assessing the value should distinguish cloud credits and commercial assistance from unrestricted cash funding.
Who could apply, and how?
The intended applicants were software development companies based in the UK or Ireland, building agentic applications, intelligent systems or GenAI platforms and ready to scale. Applicants were asked to explain their vision and technical strengths, including their readiness to build on Azure.
Applications opened on 4 November 2025 and closed on 28 November 2025. The window has passed, so the Agentic Launchpad should not be treated as currently open for applications.
Rank #2
- Supercharged AI Performance: Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX 16GB, delivers up to 157 TOPS in MAXN Super Mode — ideal for vision AI, robotics, autonomous machines, and generative AI workloads.
- Advanced Thermal Engineering for Full-Power Operation: Equipped with a vacuum copper heat pipe system, ultra-low thermal resistance medium, and high-emissivity black-coated surface combined with high-performance active cooling — ensuring stable full compute power even at 60°C ambient temperature.
- Energy-Efficient & Flexible Power Modes: Adjustable power profile from 10W to 40W, enabling a perfect balance between performance and efficiency for edge AI computing in diverse environments.
- Industrial-Grade Reliability & Design: Ruggedized for operation from -20°C to 60°C at 40W (up to 65°C at 25W), providing dependable performance in industrial automation and outdoor AI deployments.
- Rich Connectivity & AI-Ready Platform: Features 2×RJ45, SIM slot, 4×USB 3.2, HDMI 2.1, CAN, M.2 Key E/M, Mini-PCIe, and 4×CSI camera ports — supporting multi-camera vision, IoT, and robotics projects. Pre-installed with JetPack 6.2 and 128GB NVMe SSD, fully compatible with NVIDIA Isaac, ROS 1/2, and Hugging Face frameworks.
What happened to the cohort?
In a follow-up published on 18 December 2025, Microsoft said it had selected 13 companies from more than 500 applications. The named companies were:
- Convertr
- Cronofy
- CultureAI
- Dayshape
- Gravitee
- InstaDeep
- iProov
- Palindrome
- PhysicsX
- Raft AI
- Whitespace
- Wordsmith AI
- Xceptor
Microsoft said the selected companies would receive technical guidance, cloud resources, go-to-market support and customer pathways through Microsoft’s ecosystem and marketplace channels.
How does it relate to the earlier UK GenAI Accelerator?
The Launchpad followed Microsoft’s UK GenAI Accelerator, announced in December 2024 with NVIDIA, GitHub and WeTransact. That earlier program also offered selected firms technical guidance and go-to-market opportunities. The two initiatives are related examples of startup support, but the Launchpad had its own eligibility, application dates and selected cohort; participation in one should not be assumed to confer access to the other.
Rank #3
- Build the Most Powerful Embedded AI Platform: Compatible with the Jetson Orin NX module, offering up to 100 TOPS.
- Design for Both Development and Production: Equip with rich set of I/Os: 2x USB3.2, HDMI, Ethernet, M.2 Key M, M.2 Key E, mini-PCIe, 40-pin GPIO, etc
- Support multiple wired and wireless commnucation including Wi-Fi and LTE
- Immediately Go-to-Market: Pre-installed JetPack5.1.3, Linux OS BSP ready
- Certification includes ROHS, CE, FCC, KC, UKCA, REACH
What can founders explore now?
Because the Launchpad application period is closed, founders seeking support should consider other programs on their own terms rather than assume they are equivalent or that Launchpad benefits remain available.
Microsoft for Startups
Microsoft’s current overview says eligible startups can apply online and may receive Azure startup credits, AI capabilities, technical guidance and go-to-market resources, depending on eligibility and progress. Microsoft lists eligibility conditions including being a privately held, for-profit company with a software-based product or service, alongside restrictions related to prior Azure credits and funding stage. Check Microsoft’s current terms before applying: Microsoft for Startups.
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NVIDIA Inception
Microsoft’s cohort announcement points to NVIDIA Inception as a separate free program offering technology resources and opportunities to connect with venture capitalists. The Launchpad announcement also described NVIDIA support through Inception. Founders should confirm current enrollment requirements and benefits directly with NVIDIA Inception; the Launchpad’s terms do not establish Inception’s present eligibility rules.
Rank #4
- Extreme AI Performance: Powered by NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip delivering 1 petaFLOP of AI performance and 128GB memory for 200B model fine-tuning.
- Developer-Optimized Platform: Designed for AI developers building secure, long-running agentic workflows, with compatibility across frameworks such as OpenClaw and NemoClaw, supporting private on-device inference, sandboxed execution, and governed data access.
- Scalable Architecture: Featuring NVIDIA NVLink-C2C for ultra-fast CPU-GPU memory communication and NVIDIA ConnectX-7 networking to support dual GX10 system stacking, unlocking superior scalability and performance.
- Advanced Thermal Design: Engineered cooling ensures sustained high performance and reliability in an ultra-small form factor.
- Full Stack AI Solution: The GB10 and NVIDIA AI software stack provide a full stack solution for AI development and deployment.
Microsoft ISV Success
Microsoft’s cohort post also identifies ISV Success as a route for software vendors, citing cloud credits and developer tools. Its current enrollment terms and eligibility are separate from the Launchpad, so review the program directly before relying on a particular benefit: Microsoft ISV Success.
What founders should take from the announcement
The Agentic Launchpad was a time-limited support program for a defined group of UK and Ireland software businesses, rather than an ongoing funding scheme. Its published offer combined expert technical help, potential Microsoft-program credits, visibility and routes to market. The application window is closed, and the 13 selected companies have been named. For other founders, the practical next step is to check separate programs’ current criteria and determine whether their support fits the company’s stage and needs.
Sources: Microsoft’s 4 November 2025 announcement; Microsoft’s 18 December 2025 cohort announcement; Microsoft’s UK GenAI Accelerator announcement.
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