Microsoft Chile startup accelerator selects 18 finalists

The Chilean chapter of Microsoft's early stage business accelerator Imagine Business Lab has selected 18 projects from industries ranging from banking to agriculture for its third startup round.

More than 500 projects were considered from three programs: the Energy Start program hosted by electricity distributor Chilectra; the Emprende Fintech Banco de Chile 2015 competition aimed at developing applications for the financial services industry; and a general program interested in finding innovative solutions cross-industry.

The 18 finalists will enter an accelerator program to develop their product ideas and receive mentoring. At the end of the program, five finalists will be selected to receive financing of 60mn pesos (US$90,000), of which some will come from a seed capital fund of state development agency Corfo.

All of the companies will receive a package of Microsoft programs, services and support worth the equivalent of US$75,000 that is provided to startups in Microsoft's BizSpark accelerator program for small businesses. They will also be given access to the Imagine Business Lab global network that is made up of successful business executives and be granted access to diverse training activities.

The 18 selected startups include:

Cargador Solar Urbano: solar powered cell phone charging and Wi-Fi communications solution.

Casioli: online food delivery service for ordering home cooking type meals.

CloudTrack: solution for improving reverse traceability in logistics and reducing operating costs.

Cuídamelo: Online community that seeks and offers pet-minding services.

Currency Bird: Platform for carrying out international e-money transfers.

EasyPyme: Financial management platform for SMEs.

FanClapp: Social media video streaming platform that allows users to experience live concerts and music festivals through the eyes of other fans.

The 18 selected companies will join the alumni of companies already accelerated by Imagine Business Lab that include:

Chatigo: a centralized instant messaging platform that allows companies to chat to their clients, providing technical and sales support.

Ipsum: suite of applications aimed at streamlining productivity in civil engineering works.

PasajeBus: mobile application centralizing sales of bus tickets.

Roma: virtual reality application of mining operations intended for improving safety of mine workers when on site.

Livn: smart irrigation system.

Vitale: Bluetooth smartband for sports use.

Kappo: multi-player mobile app game for urban cyclists.