The Microsoft Accelerator, round 2!

The Microsoft Accelerator for Kinect concluded earlier this year. The Microsoft Accelerator is “powered by Techstars“, which means that Techstars operates it on Microsoft’s behalf. Most of those companies from the Kinect program are doing great, and many have gone on to raise venture capital or angel financing since the program ended. For a recap of the Kinect focused programs, you can check out the video series “Kinect Accelerated” by the always amazing Megan Sweeney.

The second Microsoft Accelerator program is focused on Windows Azure began Monday. Companies in the program get $20,000 in funding and help from great mentors in the Techstars community in addition to access to top executives and engineers within Microsoft.

We’re also excited to have Matt Dyor running the Microsoft Accelerator alongside Dave Malcolm. Matt has been running the Eastside Incubator in Redmond and has a great background from his time at Microsoft and as an entrpreneur. We couldn’t be more excited to have added Matt to our team in Seattle.

I’m heading up to Seattle next week to hang with these new companies, and I’m excited to work with all of them because it feels like a great group. They are from all over the world and they’re each working on something interesting that I’m excited to dig in to more.

Meet the ten Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure companies that started Monday:











   

 

Follow the Microsoft Accelerator on Twitter: @bizspark and @windowsazure.

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