Since its launch, the Kinect has been hacked in hundreds of amazing and crazy ways. Now, Microsoft is planning to embrace that by helping Kinect-based startups realise their potential.
Called “Kinect Accelerator“, the initiative will see Microsoft fund and nurture 10 aspiring groups of engineers and entrepreneurs, and give them the chance to turn their ideas into reality. For Microsoft, this seems like a fairly pain-free way of discovering the most creative Kinect talent out there.
No doubt there’s going to be huge competition for the 10 finalist slots. While the application procedure doesn’t sound too taxing, questions like “Please describe your business in 140 characters or less” and “Explain how the company will make money” will certainly set the bedroom coders apart from the serious entrepreneurs. For the 10 that make, it Microsoft will provide a three-month incubation program in the first half of 2012. Microsoft says this will mean:
“Every company participating in the Kinect Accelerator will receive an investment of $US20,000, an Xbox development kit, the Windows Kinect SDK, office space… and mentorship from entrepreneurs, investors and Microsoft executives intensely focused on making their business a success. At the end of the program, each company will have an opportunity to present at an Investor Demo Day to angel investors, venture capitalists, Microsoft executives, media and industry influentials.”
That’s a pretty big deal for anyone who manages to make it into the final 10. Personally, I’m just excited to see what ideas these guys have, and what the results turn out like. [Microsoft via Technology Review]
Image: bfishadow
Shane
Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 9:45 AMNow, there’s a great way to begin to realise the potentional applications of a product beyond it’s original design intentions, wihtout really taking any risk.
While a bunch of people around a table in your office can come with good ideas, imagin if groups of people all around the world where doing the same thing…lots-o-ideas.
Thumbs up MS for a good idea!!
Now can we have courier back please.
Michael
Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 12:59 PMIs it just me, our are Microsoft doing it right, embracing innovation of their own little baby through the hacking and modding community? I lover when companies do things right.
Stephen
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:55 PMNow if Apple did this they would have less problem with their products…. and less complaining on Apple ‘stealing’ ideas of App developers lol
TSH
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 9:59 AM+1 for MS doing it right.
Sounds like $300,000 (cash + premises + personell) well spent to get Kinect working in creative and commercially viable ways. Would be great to see it used for non-game purposes such as, say, sports training assistance or as an assistive tech for the disabled.
olearymo
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 10:48 AMDamn straight +1 to Microsoft for having a great idea.
There were overdue.
Matt L
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:05 PMThis is why Microsoft always excels in my eyes. Their operating systems have always supported the hacking/development and inspiration communities. +10 Microsoft, +10 indeed….