Microsoft Chile start-up accelerator seeks agri-tech entrepreneurs

Chilean agriculture giant Agrosuper and Microsoft's early-stage business accelerator Imagine Business Lab have launched a financing round for start-ups specialized in technology for the agricultural sector.

Bids will be received until June 26. Application information can be found here: www.imaginelab.cl. Successful applicants will enter a mentoring program with training, advice on how to accelerate their projects and techniques for seeking investment.

State development agency Corfo will provide up to 60mn pesos (US$89,000) to successful applicants.

All of the selected companies will receive a package of Microsoft programs, services and support worth the equivalent of US$82,000 that is provided to start-ups in Microsoft's BizSpark accelerator program for small businesses.

Agrosuper and Microsoft are looking for projects that address global trends in the agriculture sector that help improve the consumer experience, generate efficiency in the supply chain and encourage sustainability.

Applicants should have a project that is already in operation or at the prototype stage.

The Chilean chapter of Imagine Business Lab launched its fourth general start-up round, with applications also due by June 26.

Imagine Business Lab has been exploring different areas of the economy for innovation. In April, the accelerator teamed up with Chilean copper mining giant Codelco, launching a youth competition to build a mine of the future using the smash hit video game Minecraft.