Eleven tech start-ups complete Microsoft training

The Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure announced the graduation of its first India batch of 11 technology start-ups. At a Demo Day held at the Microsoft India, the 200-plus audience of mentors, venture capitalists and angel investors witnessed the progress each start-up team has made over the last four months at the Microsoft Accelerator.

Congratulating the class,Mukund Mohan, chief executive officer-in-residence, Microsoft Accelerator, said: “This is the day we have been waiting for–the culmination of all the hard work collectively put together over the last four months. We had chosen the first batch of 11 from hundreds of applications received from start-ups from all over the world. While all 11 had great ideas, we realised they needed support in a few critical areas to be able to mature those ideas into long-term profitable businesses.”

He added: “We provided them access to our community of 100-plus mentors, from within and outside India. We provided them access to our vast network of early adopters so that they could define their product/market fit before a formal launch to market... All of them are now ready to venture out on their own.”

Shripati Acharya, managing partner of AngelPrime, who was present at the Demo Day, said: “I have been a part of the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure since its inception. When these 11 start-ups joined the first batch, each of them demonstrated tremendous passion and the commitment to work very hard. I am amazed at the progress they have made over the last four months.”

 

LEARNING FROM THE PIONEER

• Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure announced the graduation of its first India batch of technology start-ups
• |Launched in early 2012, Microsoft Accelerator announced its first India batch on July 26
• Out of 200-plus applications received from early stage start-ups, 11 were chosen to undergo a four-month immersion programme under the guidance of mentors from Microsoft and the industry

Launched in early 2012, Microsoft Accelerator announced its first India batch on July 26. Out of 200-plus applications received from early stage start-ups, 11 companies, namely , amplyfy.me, HealthifyMe, CipherGraph, CloudInfra, Gameizon, HireRabbit, Nowfloats, Plustxt, Sparsha Learning, Whitesharkk and Junior and Us were selected to constitute the first batch. Starting September 3, all 11 start-ups were housed in the Accelerator facility in Microsoft India, where they underwent a deep four-month immersion programme under the guidance of the best in class mentors from Microsoft and the industry.

Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure is now open to receiving applications for the second India batch. Starting November 23 till January 15, 2013, technology start-ups can apply online. After rigorous screening, the final list of 15 start-ups will be announced on February 1. The four-month incubation process for the second batch will begin from March 1.