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Europe EditorBen is a technology journalist with a specialism in mobile devices and a geeky love of mobile spectrum issues. Ben used to be a professional Ben is a technology journalist with a specialism in mobile devices and a geeky love of mobile spectrum issues. Ben used to be a professional online poker player. You can contact him via Twitter or on Google+.
Microsoft Ventures, the startup-nurturing and investment-focused side of Microsoft, has announced today that it is launching a cyber-security-focused program at its accelerator in Tel Aviv, Israel, in collaboration with Jerusalem Venture Partners.
Announced today, the four-month program will provide oversight and expertise from industry executives, as well as free tools and other support for the participating companies. And as we discovered before, Microsoft doesn’t take any cut of the action in exchange for this support, nor require any obligation to use Microsoft technology.
The accelerator is looking for startups currently working on building cyber-security products and services, the importance of which can’t be underestimated given the recent high-profile security scares of late.
Six to eight hopeful businesses will be accepted into the first run of the program. At the end of the process, JVP will offer one of the graduating companies a $1 million investment and space in its own JVP Cyber Labs early-stage incubator in Be’er Sheva, Israel.
Microsoft Ventures said this accelerator will run between September 2014 and January 2015, and that applications are already open. A spokesman added that if it’s successful, the program could be expanded to other cities in which Microsoft has accelerators.
➤ Microsoft Ventures [Tel Aviv]
Featured Image Credit – Getty Images
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