Microsoft Ventures City Meetup - Chicago

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Microsoft Ventures City Meetup - Chicago

By Microsoft Ventures and American Family Insurance

Date and time

Wednesday, July 2, 2014 · 6 - 9pm CDT

Location

1871

222 Merchandise Mart Chicago, IL

Description


Come join Microsoft Ventures and American Family Ventures at 1871 on July 2nd at 6pm to hear five IoT startups pitch, talk about home automation and learn more about Microsoft Ventures. We'll talk about startups innovating in the IOT (Internet of Things) space and how to apply for Microsoft’s new thematic accelerator focused on IOT.


We currently have 7 accelerators in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, London, Paris, Tel

Aviv and now Seattle.

205 startups graduated (76 Startups are 1year + from graduation)
78% follow on funding 1+ year from graduation
$1.5M Avg. funding 1+ year from graduation
14 startup exits


The new Microsoft Ventures Accelerator was announced at the tech company’s Global Startup Day in San Francisco on June 17th, celebrating startups from several of its programs around the world that are seeing market traction. Microsoft currently runs startup accelerators in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, London, Paris and Tel Aviv. The accelerators have had lots of success helping great entrepreneurs build awesome companies.

The new accelerator will be hosted on its campus in Redmond and conducted August through December and is taking applications till July 25th. By working with American Family Insurance, a leading multiline insurance company, the program will connect startups with experts in the industry.

“Home automation is ripe for startup innovation,” said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president, Developer Experience and Evangelism for Microsoft. “We are working closely with American Family Insurance to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for entrepreneurs in our accelerator. Startups accepted into the program will gain critical industry insight to build companies with the potential to have an enormous impact on our lives.”

The accelerator provides mentorship, workspace and an immersive experience focused on launching world-class companies with an eye on the global marketplace. Access to customer, partners and investors while taking no equity, no debt and no dilution. American Family Insurance, the eighth largest homeowners’ insurer in the U.S., will provide deep industry experience, important consumer insights and a wealth of homeowner knowledge that would be impossible for young companies to gain access to on their own. American Family Insurance is also offering a minimum optional $25,000 equity investment in each startup accepted into the program.

“We are focused on helping early stage companies bring new products and services to market that can make our policyholders’ homes and lives safer,” said Dan Reed, managing director at American Family Ventures. “Working closely with startups and making early-stage investments in emerging technology companies is a great way to support the ecosystem and also benefit our customers. We look forward to working with the next generation of companies that are reimagining the connected home.”

Agenda:

6:30 to 7pm - 30 min - Welcome & introductions
7:00 to 7:15pm - 15 min - What we have learned at Microsoft Ventures
7:15 to 7:30pm - 15 min - What’s new in IoT
7:30 to 8pm - 30 min - Startup hot seat - 5 selected companies present for 5 min each
8:00 to 9pm - 60 min - Networking, Snacks and beverages will be served

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