ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù Selected to Join Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program
Global Program Helps Accelerate the Success of Innovative Startups Committed to Microsoft's Platform Technologies
New York, NY (January 22, 2008) – ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù, the largest online tutoring service connecting millions of students for instant help from qualified tutors, today announced that it has been selected to join the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program. Stewarded by the Emerging Business Team (EBT) at Microsoft Corp., the program is designed to connect high-potential startups committed to the Microsoft platform to an extensive support network that provides access to Microsoft people and programs, guidance on future directions, and support to accelerate their success.
"Working with Microsoft has been a big win for our growing company's need to scale our technology to connect literally thousands of students to tutors within minutes every night of the week," said George Cigale, founder and CEO of ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù. "Continuing to leverage Microsoft technology will allow us to grow a business with hundreds of thousands to millions of consumer subscribers and users. To do that, we have to be able to serve hundreds of concurrent live, one-to-one on-demand sessions."
Microsoft is committed to serving as a valuable technology and business partner for emerging startups and their investors. Companies are selected to join the program based on their innovation, marketability, growth potential, funding, platform decision and strategic importance to Microsoft. These companies receive customized engagement plans designed to support their software development and increase market visibility. The program is now open to interested startups, which can apply via a profiling process outlined at the Microsoft Startup Zone at .
"ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù provides a valuable service for families and students," said John Nogrady, Director, Emerging Business Team at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft is pleased to be working with ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù to offer customers a reliable solution with Microsoft technologies."
The Microsoft EBT evaluates hundreds of technology startups each year to identify those with the strongest potential to succeed in the market, shape the industry's future, and enhance the overall value of Microsoft products and services for customers. The Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program shines the spotlight on some of the most promising startups and provides good examples of how startups can work successfully with Microsoft.
About ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù
ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù is the world's #1 online tutoring company. The company creates innovative, on demand homework help and tutoring services that connect students to a professional tutor online the moment they need help in math, science, social studies or English. Their network of over 2,200 professional tutors has delivered over 3 million one-to-one tutoring sessions. ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù services include ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù Direct, an on demand tutoring service for families and Live Homework Help, an after-school program offered at over 1,800 public libraries. ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù also powers two statewide, governor-supported initiatives, HomeworkKansas and HomeworkAlabama. ÎåÒ»²è¹Ý¶ù was named to Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Program for the New York Region in 2007 and 2006, was honored as one of the 25 Best Small Companies for Women 2007 by Working Mother and ranked in the first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America. For more information or a free trial of the service please visit www.tutor.com or call (800) 411-1970.