The Microsoft TechSpark Fellows Journey

Empowering Communities Through Technology, Innovation, and Connection

For the past eight years, Microsoft has been committed to sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities through Microsoft TechSpark - an economic development, skilling, and community-building initiative that connects local innovation with global technology resources.

Since its launch in 2017, TechSpark has worked with more than 100 communities across the United States, helping them build inclusive digital economies. Together, these efforts have resulted in 4,500+ jobs created, 65,000+ individuals trained in AI and digital skills, and $700M+ in community funding leveraged for local projects

TechSpark’s mission is simple but powerful: help every community thrive in the digital economy - whether rural or urban, coastal or inland - by building capacity, driving innovation, and preparing people for the jobs of the future.

“The journey begins this year with 24 Fellows (including 4 returning for a second year) and continues with 42 Alumni Fellows. Together, these 66 Fellows form a strong network of changemakers for connection, collaboration, and impact.”

📘 Explore the impact: Read the 2025 TechSpark Impact Report to see stories, data, and lessons from communities nationwide.

Local Leadership, National Impact: The TechSpark Fellows Program

To deepen local impact, Microsoft launched the TechSpark Fellows Program in 2023 — built on one core belief: the best community solutions come from within communities themselves.

Over the past two years, 42 Fellows organizations have partnered with Microsoft to bridge digital divides and accelerate innovation. Together, these local leaders have:

• Secured $249M in follow-on funding, scaling sustainable solutions.
• Trained 34,000+ individuals in AI, data literacy, and emerging technologies.
• Built cross-sector partnerships connecting public, private, and nonprofit organizations with digital tools.

From TechBuffalo’s Skilling up from "K-to-Gray" AI learning model in New York to rural innovation hubs in Iowa, Fellows are showing what’s possible when technology is paired with trust, partnership, and people-first innovation.

A Framework for Community-Led Innovation

Through this work, TechSpark developed a Community Engagement Framework, rooted in lessons learned from Fellows nationwide. It outlines how local leaders can design their own tech ecosystems supported by AI and digital tools, guided by three pillars:

1. Understanding Local Needs – Listening deeply, mapping assets, and identifying opportunities for AI transformation.
2. Building Capacity Through Technology – Training leaders and organizations in AI and digital tools to fuel innovation.
3. Creating Sustainable Systems – Designing programs that endure beyond direct Microsoft support.

This framework serves as a roadmap for any community seeking to build an inclusive, tech-enabled future. 📘 Explore the tools and templates in the TechSpark Playbook.

Sustaining Impact: The TechSpark Alumni Network

TechSpark is more than a program—it’s an ongoing movement of collaboration, learning, and evolution. As technology continues to advance, Microsoft launched the TechSpark Alumni Program to ensure leaders remain connected and supported long after their fellowship ends.

This growing national network now spans every state. Alumni come together to:

• Share best practices through peer learning and innovation sprints.
• Access advanced AI resources and technical mentorship.
• Continue building projects that evolve with community needs.

The Alumni network has become a powerful force for collective impact, ensuring that each community can accelerate opportunity and growth through shared knowledge and collaboration.

Welcoming the 2026 TechSpark Fellows

This year, Microsoft proudly welcomes 24 nonprofit organizations including 11 Microsoft datacenter communities into the 2026 TechSpark Fellows Cohort. These Fellows will join the Alumni community to expand local AI learning, innovation, and digital skilling.

The 2026 cohort includes leaders advancing diverse missions—from empowering women through AI upskilling, to building rural AI hubs, to expanding AI education.

💡 Learn more about this year’s Fellows and Microsoft’s expanded Alumni network in Mike Egan’s Announcing the 2026 Microsoft TechSpark Fellows (Nov 5, 2025).

Learning, Leading, and Launching Innovation

The 2026 Fellows program kicked off with a Virtual Summit on October 28th, bringing together Fellows and Microsoft TechSpark coaches to share goals, challenges, and community visions. Over the next seven months, participants will:

1. Complete a series AI Learning Sessions, exploring practical applications of AI in workforce, education, and innovation.
2. Join monthly coaching sessions to design and refine community-based initiatives.
3. Participate in national showcases highlighting local innovation and impact.

The journey will culminate in a Wrap-Up Summit in May 2026, spotlighting how technology, leadership, and collaboration can drive meaningful, human-centered change.

Join the Journey

From the first pilot sites in 2017 to today’s growing national network, Microsoft TechSpark continues to evolve alongside the communities it serves.

As AI reshapes industries and opportunities, TechSpark remains focused on ensuring no community is left behind in the AI and digital economy.

Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, nonprofit, or business leader — your voice and vision matter in shaping the future of technology.

👉 Learn more about the movement, explore resources, and connect with local leaders through the TechSpark Playbook and TechSpark Impact Report.