TEL AVIV, Israel, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft
Corp. and Akamai Technologies, a leading provider of cloud services
for delivering, optimizing and securing online content and business
applications, have announced that, together with leading venture
capital (VC) firm Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), they are
working on a unique accelerator in the field of cybersecurity. The
program is located at the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator in
Tel Aviv, and interested
entrepreneurs and startups can apply now at
http://www.microsoftventures.com/accelerators/telaviv. Startups
accepted into the program will be announced Aug. 24, 2014, and the class will run through
January 2015.
"Tech startups have the potential to shape the future of
cybersecurity," said Zack Weisfeld,
head of Microsoft Ventures Europe. "Akamai is the perfect partner
to join Microsoft in delivering unparalleled access and value to
startups joining the accelerator. Like us, Akamai is a big
proponent of secure computing with a massive reach. We are eager to
partner with Akamai to spur the success of cybersecurity innovation
based on our respective insights and learnings gained over the
years."
This collaboration strengthens Microsoft's already solid
partnership announced a leading VC, JVP. Participants will gain
professional sessions and active mentoring from JVP, which will be
an active participant in the startups selection process and will
offer a $1 million investment in one
of the cybersecurity startups at the end of program.
The participants will also receive free tools, top-quality
mentorship, and other resources designed to help them successfully
grow their business. In addition to making available its respected
Web-security expertise, Akamai is offering to invest up to
$25,000 with each cybersecurity
startup accepted into the program through the purchase of
convertible notes. Mentoring and introductions to relevant partners
and customers will also be offered.
"Akamai's globally distributed computing platform was designed
from day one to be as safe and secure as possible, and we have
continued to make investments in this area," said Stuart Scholly, senior vice president and
general manager, Security Business Unit, Akamai. "And yet, the
computer security landscape continues to evolve with new threats
emerging every day. We believe that supporting security innovation,
not only at Akamai, but also through promising entrepreneurs, is of
true benefit to our customers and any company doing business on the
Internet."
Microsoft's collaboration with Akamai and JVP is intended to
provide startups with mentorship and market expertise that can help
them accelerate their business and create breakthroughs in
cybersecurity.
About Akamai
Akamai® (Nasdaq: AKAM) is the
leading provider of cloud services for delivering, optimizing and
securing online content and business applications. At the core of
the Company's solutions is the Akamai Intelligent
Platform™ providing extensive reach, coupled with first
class reliability, security, visibility and expertise. Akamai
removes the complexities of connecting the increasingly mobile
world, supporting 24/7 consumer demand, and enabling enterprises to
securely leverage the cloud. To learn more about how Akamai is
accelerating the pace of innovation in a hyperconnected world,
please visit www.akamai.com or blogs.akamai.com, and follow @Akamai
on Twitter.
About Jerusalem Venture Partners
Jerusalem Venture
Partners (JVP) is a leading Israeli venture capital firm dedicated
to building world class companies. With a 20 year track record
spanning over a hundred investments, JVP is also viewed as
Israel's largest early stage cyber
security investor having built up such companies as CyberArk
Software, Navajo Systems (acquired by SalesForce), Magnifire
(acquired by F5 Networks), as well as numerous originating from the
firms JVP Cyber Labs, the first cyber security incubator in
Israel.
About Microsoft Ventures
Microsoft Ventures is a
global initiative to help entrepreneurs build great companies.
Working with startups at every stage of maturity, the initiative
provides tools, resources and expertise to help startups succeed.
Visit Microsoft Ventures at http://www.microsoftventures.com to
learn more about how Microsoft is helping the next generation of
smart companies take flight.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:
MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and
solutions that help people and businesses realize their full
potential.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.