Microsoft Accelerator

Microsoft Accelerator, launched in 2012, was a prominent global program designed to support early to growth-stage startups. Operating out of key tech hubs worldwide, including Seattle, Bangalore, and Tel Aviv, its core mission was to provide startups with the resources, mentorship, and technical expertise needed to scale, rather than functioning as a traditional equity investor. The program typically did not take equity from participating companies, differentiating it from venture capital funds.

The accelerator offered extensive support, including access to Microsoft's vast network of engineers, business development teams, and industry mentors. Participants benefited from free office space, intensive workshops, and crucial go-to-market assistance, often culminating in demo days to connect with potential investors and customers. A significant component of the value proposition included substantial Azure cloud credits, often amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, to help startups build and scale their technology. Over its various iterations, including its evolution into Microsoft ScaleUp and integration into the broader Microsoft for Startups initiative, the program supported over 600 startups globally by 2017, providing invaluable non-monetary resources.

Given its operational model, Microsoft Accelerator was fundamentally a program for startup enablement and ecosystem development, not a direct financial investor that writes equity checks. Therefore, it does not have typical 'check sizes' in the venture capital sense. While Microsoft does have a corporate venture arm, M12 (formerly Microsoft Ventures), which makes direct equity investments, the accelerator program itself focused on providing strategic support and resources rather than capital.