Microsoft ScaleUp Tel Aviv

Microsoft ScaleUp relaunches with its new name and introduces Microsoft for Startups with a $500M promise from Microsoft to invest in the startup ecosystem worldwide over the coming 2 years. Part of its new offering is the co-sell program (part of Microsoft ScaleUp) that allows startups to piggyback on Microsoft’s existing sales force.

Microsoft ScaleUp Tel Aviv has opened a 5 week program for early stage startups called VIABLE

Cisco has partnered with Microsoft Ventures to support participating startups in the areas of the IoT , Cloud, Big Data, and cyber security and data center

Microsoft Corp. and Akamai Technologies, a provider of cloud services for delivering, optimizing and securing online content and business applications, have teamed up with venture capital firm Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), to launch a cybersecurity accelerator. Located at the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator in Tel Aviv, the program offers professional sessions and active mentoring from JVP, which is an active participant in the selection process and will offer a $1m investment in one of the cybersecurity startups at the end of program. Akamai will invest up to $25k in each company through the purchase of convertible notes.

Bank Hapoalim has partnered with the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator. Bank Hapoalim will help locate and choose promising fintech start-ups for inclusion in the Ventures Accelerator's upcoming class, which will open in March 2014. During the four-month program, the bank will provide financial and technological mentors. Fintech start-ups will gain access to the bank's technological development environment in Israel and overseas to test their idea in a beta version. When the class is over, Bank Hapoalim will integrate the solutions as part of its value creation for customers. The bank will also provide the start-ups with advice and training in routine financing and a $30,000 loan, which can be converted into equity in the start-ups next financing round.

Microsoft Ventures Accelerator has partnered with Comcast, an American mass media and communications company. After the Microsoft program in Israel, selected companies will join the Comcast facilities in the United States for another 3 months where entrepreneurs will work with Comcast management and be exposed to Comcast Ventures.