)
Microsoft Ventures today launched a new initiative called 'JumpStart', wherein startups and entrepreneurs can call a toll free number from any part of India to find answers to any business and technical questions. The toll free number is 1800-200-2114.
Microsoft Ventures is the global technology giant's venture arm, which looks into funding and incubation of technology start-ups.
"Microsoft Ventures supports startups at every stage of maturity by providing them with the tools, resources and expertise they need to succeed," said Joseph Landes, general manager--developer & platform evangelism at Microsoft India. "Our experience has shown that a major pain point for startups across the ecosystem in India, irrespective of their stage of maturity, is the lack of real-time support for various critical queries they face. JumpStart fills a major gap and ensures that startups get professional advice that enables them to make smart business decisions," said Landes.
The helpline will be manned by professionals who have been trained by Microsoft to answer business and technical queries. Currently, the company has a four-member call center in Delhi to attend to such calls, but its capacity would be expanded depending on the need going forward, said Kattayil Rajinish Menon, director-startups at Microsoft Ventures.
Once the helpline becomes fully operations, Microsoft Ventures expects it to receive 500-1,000 calls per week.
"This is the first time Microsoft Ventures is launching something like this, in fact, we have not heard of a similar service anywhere else in the world," Menon said. "Depending upon the success of this initiative, we may look at replicating it in other parts of the world."
Microsoft Ventures has presence across nine countries, including, the US, the UK, Brazil, France, Germany, Israel, China and India.
The JumpStart service may be aligned with Karnataka's mobile governance system--Karnataka MobileOne, which is expected to be launched later this year, said Srivatsa Krishna, secretary, IT, Biotechnology, Science & Technology and secretary E-Governance, Karnataka.
Microsoft Ventures has tied up with thousands of lawyers, chartered accountants, tax and human resources services providers, to help startups and entrepreneurs find solutions to queries. The service is currently available in English and Hindi, and more languages may be added depending on demand going forward.
