Microsoft Collaborates With Accelerators Morpheus and Accel in India to Give Startups a Headstart

BANGALORE, India, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Microsoft Corporation (Pvt) Ltd. is collaborating with accelerators in India to help startups grow their business through the availability of its globalprogram, BizSpark Plus. BizSpark Plus - an extension of the successful BizSpark program - works through select incubators and accelerators to provide added value products and services to high potential startups. In India, The Morpheus and Accel, as part of the Global Accelerator Network, are the appointed accelerators. Working with the accelerators, the program will offer each of their startups up to US $60,000 of Windows Azure compute and storage over a 24-month period, at no cost.

Speaking at Microsoft Tech-Ed India 2012, an annual innovation showcase, Shekhar Kirani, Founder Member, Accel, said, "Our simple aim is to help Indian startups succeed. BizSpark Plus will allow us the chance to provide the entrepreneurs we work with even more valuable support and services. Access to technologies like Windows Azure and other software and services from Microsoft should provide an impetus to our companies in the race to scale and succeed." The accelerator partners are appointed for their exceptional ability to impact their local markets, their influence in the entrepreneurial community and their proven success with early-stage startups.

Ludovic Ulrich, WW Program Manager for Microsoft BizSpark, commenting on the extension of the program to India, said, "We have been very encouraged by the success of BizSpark in India, especially the overwhelming support we received from our network partners and the community in general. With BizSpark Plus, we are moving to the next exciting stage: working with entrepreneurs on the forefront of the cloud revolution. Windows Azure is a powerful, integrated platform, making it easy for startups to get their services up and running quickly with minimal overhead. Combined with the strengths that The Morpheus and Accel bring to the table, the program is designed to accelerate Indian entrepreneurial success."

BizSpark Plus is a 'by invitation only' program, and a startup, in addition to being eligible for the foundational BizSpark program (developing software, less than three years old, privately held and making less than US $1M annually), must be nominated by the BizSpark Plus partner.

About Microsoft BizSpark

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software startups succeed. With more than 45,000 startups from 100 countries in the program and a global network of 2,300 BizSpark partners, Microsoft provides great business value to young technology companies around the world. The program provides a wide range of Microsoft technology, technical and business expertise, and enhanced market visibility. BizSpark Plus is an extension of the foundational BizSpark program, providing higher value offerings through a network of leading regional incubators and accelerators around the world. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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