Microsoft Achieves Strong Recognition In Chinese Startup And Innovation Ecosystem

"The past fourand a half yearshavewitnessed the strong growth of Microsoft Accelerator Beijing,as well as the Microsoft Accelerator globally,since its beginning in 2012inIsrael. The goal of the Microsoft Accelerator initiative is to empower entrepreneurs around the world on their journey to build great companies,"saidTzahi (Zack) Weisfeld, General Manager, Microsoft Accelerators. "Microsoft Accelerator has rolled out globally to 6 countries with 7 accelerators in operation. A total of 534 startups have passed through and 82% of them have received funding totaling US$2.1 billion, plus 3 IPOs and 38 acquisitions."

"Microsoft Accelerator Beijing has gained strong recognition among the startupand innovation ecosystem inChina," said Bin Luo, CEO in Residence, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing. "Now we are not only one of the best accelerators inChinabut the connecting and sharing platformforstartups andthe innovation ecosystem inChina. We are pushing the boundariesofthetraditional acceleratormodel to include business development and leads generation, marketingand sales support,operationsefficiency, and more. By integrating tightly into the business operation of startups, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing is empoweringChineseentrepreneurs to build great companies."

For the past fourand a half years, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing has accelerated 140 startups inChinawith 93% of them successfully raisingfunding during the enrolled periodwithtotal valuation reachedofover40 billion RMBanda growth rate of over 600%. 20% of the alumni have acquired new customers with the support of Microsoft Accelerator Beijing.

During the 5monthsof the 8th batch program, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing hostedover 100events including resource matching with multiple Chinese government organizations and associations, marketing and sales lead generation events targeting large enterprises and corporations, and joint marketing promotions with other accelerators in addition to training, media promotion and alumni events.

Microsoft now can accelerateChinesestartups faster by offering more internal resources.

To speed up the business of the 8th batchofstartups, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing has brought in more resources suchas those offered by overseas funds including Sequoia, IDG, Fidelity International and Temasek. And for the first time, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing organized business development programsthat directly engagedwith global 500 companies as well as large enterprises inChina, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG, IBM, Intel, Foxconn, Accenture, Pactera, China Development Bank,and more.

By building strategic partnershipsand flagship customers for startups, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing enablesstartupsto expandbothdomesticallyand globally. And to be better prepared for IPOs, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing also invited KPMG for a special training on auditing for publish listing and full entrepreneurship skills.

With the 8th batch program, Microsoft Accelerator Beijinghas focusedmore on cloud computing, big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, VR/AR and information security intheenterprise and business sector. Microsoft Azure has become the world top cloud computing platform for building intelligent, cross-platform apps and services. And graduates from Microsoft Accelerator Beijing have grown into the Microsoft Azure cloud ecosystem as well. Together, Microsoft Accelerator Beijing will be able to empowertheChinese digital economy in the long run.

SOURCE Microsoft Accelerator Beijing