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Kochi, Feb 20 (IANS) Overcoming stiff global competition, Profoundis Labs, a Startup Village company here has been selected for the Microsoft Accelerator Programme, a company official said Wednesday. Profoundis is one of the 13 technology startups shortlisted from over 350 applicants across the globe and the first one from Kerala to ever enter the prestigious programme. The programme provides tremendous global market exposure and extensive technological support from the world's biggest software company. "This is quite a feat considering that there were more than 350 applicants. What is equally satisfying to us is that we have become the first startup from Kerala to get accepted into this prestigious programme," said Profoundis co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Arjun R. Pillai. Microsoft accelerator programme is one of the top business accelerators in India, set up by the US software company to cater and accelerate high potential technology start-ups. The 13 companies will constitute the second batch of the Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure programme in India. Starting March 1, the selected startups will be hosted in the state-of-the-art accelerator facility in Microsoft's office in Bangalore, where they will undergo a four-month deep immersion programme under the guidance of elite mentors from the industry and Microsoft. The programme is designed to help technology startups achieve the right product-market fit, a robust go-to-market strategy, strong branding and deep connection with customers, partners and investors. Sanjay Vijayakumar, chairman of Startup Village and one of the mentors to the company, hoped that Profoundis would grab this opportunity to become a leading company in its area. "I am sure Profoundis will make it big. They have the passion, vision, and metal to pull it off. Microsoft accelerator is a big wave they can ride on," he remarked. Profoundis was founded by Arjun R. Pillai, Jofin Joseph, Anoop Thomas Mathew and Nithin Sam, who did their engineering together. Profoundis' latest product is a reader interaction tool for websites 'Sense' (sense.profoundis.com). It is a free tool that analyses the reader sentiments in a blog or website and provides intelligent suggestions. Another upcoming product is 'Emotion', which is an inbound marketing tool for companies. The 'Emotion' analyses the brand sentiments from the comments from across the internet and enables the companies to act on it to enhance their sales and reduce their churn.
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