Microsoft Ventures Accelerator is a key part of Microsoft Ventures, Microsoft’s three-pronged initiative to offer startups a single point of entry to engage with Microsoft. Apart from the state-of-the-art workspace and access to Microsoft technology and technology mentors, each batch goes through a rigorous, intense and structured four-month program. Microsoft and industry mentors provides startups with hands-on expertise in key areas they need help on most—namely technology architecture, user experience/ design, product roadmap, business model development and connections with early adopters. Each startup pursues three tracks simultaneously – customer development, product development and deepening market traction. The Accelerator Program team tracks their progress every week, and shares the report with mentors who provide them valuable feedback.

Microsoft Ventures Accelerator in Bangalore hosts two batches a year, from July-November and January-May. The summer batch of 2014, which is the current batch of startups being accelerated, will graduate on May 23, 2014. The first three batches saw 36 companies graduating from our program after achieving three times customer traction on an average. Around 82 percent of the companies also received funding.

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