Microsoft Accelerator shortlist

Microsoft on Thursday released the list of 11 start-ups that will be incubated at the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure in Bangalore. The program received more than 200 applications from start-ups pitching ideas across various sectors including digital media, cloud, internet and mobile. The finalists will have an opportunity to undergo a four month program, which will not only provide state of the art workspace for the start-ups but also strong, focused mentorship from industry leaders.

Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure is a 4-month program aimed at helping start-ups particularly those involved in Cloud, Internet and mobile. Come September and the finalists will head to Bangalore where the Microsoft Accelerator is located. They will be provided with State-of-the-art workspace and access to various Microsoft tools and products. Apart from the workspace and tools, Start-ups will also be provided with mentorship and guidance from prominent industry leaders and experts and technology guidance from Microsoft. This program will also give an opportunity to the start-ups to connect with various angel investors and Venture Capitalists.

The lucky 11 include

1. Amplyfy.me
2. Caeruz Ventures
3. CipherGraph
4. CloudInfra
5. Gameizon
6. HireRabbit
7. Nowfloats
8. Plustxt
9. Sparsha Learning
10. Whitesharkk
11. WorldWithoutMe.

These start-ups have ventured into spaces like cloud based services, e-learning, social media and entertainment. These exceptional start-ups will also have an opportunity to showcase their idea to the world on the Windows platform.

Modelled upon ‘shared workspaces’ the accelerator in Microsoft’s Lavelle road office will facilitate these start-ups to intermingle and grow with the help and ideas of each other. These companies will also have an access to Microsoft’s BizSpark program that helps start-ups by providing them with access to Microsoft tools including Windows Azure. BizSpark also offers technical support and training to its partners.

The Windows Accelerator Workspace will provide an excellent opportunity to the selected companies and will help them to develop and to grow further. This program will also inspire other budding start-ups to jump in and come up with innovative ideas which they could showcase to the world. But for now, these 11 companies are on a road to success and will have a great time interacting with industry leaders and to make the maximum use of the facilities provided by Microsoft.