Introducing the new class at the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure
We launched the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure, powered by TechStars, to give early stage startups full access to Windows Azure and to help them succeed by connecting each company to leading technical and business mentors. I’m happy to share that the new spring 2013 class features a healthy mix of exciting solutions and an impressive list of founders whose feedback will directly inform future Windows Azure releases.
Today, the ten new teams in the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure, powered by TechStars, moved into their South Lake Union office space.
This spring’s Windows Azure class includes:
- 1Track—Bellevue, WA. 1Track enhances the consumer in-store shopping experience and drives sales for retailers.
- Airpost.io—Toronto, CA. Airpost unifies cloud storage services to allow people to access files from anywhere.
- Azuqua—Bellevue, WA. Azuqua helps companies build integrated cloud-based enterprise apps in ten minutes or less.
- Beehive Biometrics—Austin, TX. Beehive is a service that enables developers to incorporate biometric matching into apps with a single line of code.
- Boxella—Redmond, WA. Boxella helps retailers sell add-on products through an app that tracks individual customer inventory.
- Builders Cloud—Bellevue, WA. Builders Cloud is a file-sharing and mobile collaboration platform for the construction industry.
- Factor.io—Portland, OR. Factor.io makes it easy for engineering teams to build their continuous integration and deployment pipeline.
- GiftGiv—Redmond, WA. GiftGiv makes business gifting simple while retaining the personal touch.
- nuMVC—Denver, CO. nuMVC is a content distribution platform that automates delivery of relevant content anywhere on the web.
- ScanMyList—Everett, WA. ScanMyList is a mobile app empowering businesses to efficiently utilize BI from sales and order information.
The Fall 2012 class has been busy since Demo Day and is leaving big shoes for the new class to fill.
- MetricsHub—the company behind Active Cloud Monitoring and automated cloud performance management—was recently acquired by Microsoft.
- Realty Mogul—crowdfunding for real estate—won the HATCH Pitch Competition at SXSW, made its service generally available, and just closed a $500,000 seed round of funding.
- Staq—a real-time analytics engine for games—joined email engagement experts Embarke in the Windows Azure Store.
I have high expectations for this class and look forward to the new and exciting ways these startups will use Windows Azure to iterate rapidly and deliver memorable customer experiences.
Keep an eye out for periodic updates as the teams approach Demo Day on June 26th.
Hope this helps,
Scott
P.S. In addition to blogging, I am also now using Twitter for quick updates and to share links. Follow me at: twitter.com/scottgu