Wanda Group and Microsoft Accelerator Partner Together to Empower Startups to Do More on Digital Transformation

BEIJING, May 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wanda Group, one of the Fortune Global 500 List companies, is tapping into the resources of Microsoft Accelerator to enable the next wave of digital transformation of the retail industry and commercial properties in China.

For the past four and a half years, Microsoft Beijing Accelerator has accelerated 140 startups in China with alumni in the areas of hybrid cloud, IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, etc. These startups have strong strengths in technology innovation. Combining Wanda Group's customer resources and Microsoft Accelerator's alumni, startups will be empowered to do more for digital transformation in China.

"As an entrepreneur myself, I've seen many technology startups face the same challenges. They focus on technology innovation and product development without much customer insight and user data," said Hanna Lavy, head of Microsoft Global Accelerator Program. "Partners like Wanda Group can provide in-depth business insights and rich customer data to startups. Microsoft Accelerator looks forward to working with Wanda Group to enable startups to transform retail companies and commercial properties into digital businesses."

"Wanda Group and Microsoft share the same views on digital technology and business. Cloud computing, big data, IoT and artificial intelligence are the main drivers of the digital transformation of business," said Jennifer Feng, Deputy GM of IT Center at Wanda Group." Wanda Group has rich insights and user data as the leader of commercial property and retail business in China and we will partner with Microsoft to bring startups closer to end customers. Microsoft Accelerator will also provide qualified startups to be enlisted as vendors for Wanda Group. "

As the world's largest commercial property enterprise, Wanda Group has opened 189 Wanda Plaza projects in China and plans to open 50 more in 2017. Three years ago, Wanda Group began its fourth business model transformation from commercial property to modern services with the result of forming four sub business groups including Commercial Properties, Cultural Industry Group, Internet Technology Group and Financial Group. Digital transformation is at the core of Wanda Group.

Wanda Group IT embarked on enabling digital transformation of Wanda Group three years ago. For the past three years, Wanda Group IT has developed Wanda Building Information Modeling(BIM) System and Wanda Intelligent Building Management System in this endeavor with the adoption of Microsoft Azure and HDInsight big data analysis. Wanda BIM system seamlessly integrates the end-to-end information management process from project bidding to delivery for commercial property developers, designers, builders and supervisors.

About Wanda Group

Wanda Group was established in 1988 and has developed into a conglomerate of commercial properties, culture, Internet and finance. It ranked 385th on the Fortune Global 500 List in 2015. In 2016 its assets amounted to 796.2 billion yuan with operating revenue of 255 billion yuan. By 2020, Wanda Group aims to become a world class multinational corporation with assets of $200 billion, market capitalization of $200 billion, revenue of $100 billion and net profits of $10 billion. 

About Microsoft Accelerator

Microsoft Accelerator is a global initiative built to empower entrepreneurs around the world on their journey to build great companies. Microsoft Accelerator works with later-stage startups to provide the tools, resources, connections, knowledge and expertise they need to become successful companies. 

SOURCE Microsoft Beijing Accelerator