Microsoft says it will work and mentor only late-stage startups

BENGALURU: Microsoft Ventures, one of India's most successful accelerators, said it will switch gears to working with and mentoring only latestage startups.

Microsoft said late-stage companies need help in designing technology that can handle massive scale, mentors to structure sales organisations across geographies, and connects with the right investors, something that is not available in the ecosystem today .

"Indian startup ecosystem has evolved and has new challenges now," said Ravi Narayan, director of Microsoft Ventures. "These companies are clear on where they need help and where they don't. That helps us learn as well."

Microsoft is not the first to do this.Last year, the Morpheus, one of the earliest accelerators in India, shut down commercial operations. It then pivoted to mentor late-stage companies through its Morpheus gang.

The sixth batch of the Microsoft accelerator has companies such as ad testing company Adpushup, social commerce app Frilp, an academic network of doctors DailyRounds, among others. As for nurturing early-stage startups, Narayan said that its partnership with other players such as Reliance's GenNext Ventures and Deshpande Foundation in Hubli will take care of that.