Microsoft launches first venture project: Developing cloud computing around Azure

Microsoft launched its first start-up accelerator project in Tuesday, starting in Beijing on the morning of March 14, to encourage entrepreneurs to use the Windows Azure platform to develop cloud-based applications.

The project, which will be carried out through the Microsoft Israel Research and Development center, is part of the research center's next project. In addition, this is part of Microsoft's BizSpark program for startups.

Similar to most start-up accelerators, Microsoft will provide free office space, training programs and legal aid through the program. Microsoft's project is focused on companies that develop cloud-related products, so these startups will get free Windows Azure platforms. But Microsoft does not provide seed money.

To introduce the entrepreneurial atmosphere

Zack Weisfeld, head of strategy and business development at Microsoft's Israel Research Center, Zache Wiesfield that the first start-up accelerator in Israel is in line with Microsoft's strategic positioning of the research center, and Microsoft hopes to bring the entrepreneurial atmosphere back to the company.

He says the Israeli start-up companies are very active. "We currently have 4,900 start-up companies in Israel, and the third largest venture capital community after Silicon Valley and New England," he said. "In addition, 25% of the best companies in Microsoft's BizSpark program are from Israel.

This startup accelerator project is named Windows Azure Accelerator. Microsoft also plans to launch more similar projects in this area. Wiesfield said the project will be the blueprint for Microsoft's future start-up accelerator project in other parts of the world.

"I don't think we're going to wait 1 years," Wiesfield said of the time Microsoft launched other new projects. We will get a lot of experience from the first project and we will be ready to develop in other areas as soon as possible. ”

Provide a variety of resources free of charge

In this two-and 4-month-per-year project, entrepreneurs will be able to get 850 square meters of newly renovated shared workspaces at Microsoft's Israel Research and Development center, including conference rooms, labs, and sites for recording demo videos. In addition, 30 industry advisers will provide guidance and technical support, including start-up CEOs, investors and marketing experts.

The start-up companies involved in the project will also receive all the software provided in the BizSpark project, as well as the Windows Azure platform. Startups will be free to use Windows Auzre platform for up to 60,000 dollars in two years time. Wiesfield said startups in the project could choose to use Open-source software, but Microsoft encouraged them to use Windows Azure.

Although the project is positioned as a start-up accelerator, Microsoft does not provide seed money to its participants, unlike the usual incubator, and Microsoft does not hold stakes in the project's companies. But startups will have access to Microsoft's partners, and these Microsoft partners will be potential customers.

Microsoft will announce the first batch of 10 start-ups to participate in the project on April 22 at the Next 2012 event. "We believe that this project will make the centre better for the Israeli Research and Development center," Wiesfield said. We will invite startups that are fast growing and want to change the world to work with our engineers. Working with them will make us better. ”

(Responsible editor: Liu Fen)