Microsoft features machine-learning startups at pitch night

One startup makes a website that connects high-school students with the ideal college. Another operates a chatbot that can answer your simple medical questions. All have the resources of Microsoft backing them. Nine companies made pitches onstage Thursday night at Showbox SoDo as part of Microsoft Accelerator's third demo day in Seattle. The program selects 10 to 15 companies twice a year to participate in a startup accelerator program that provides resources, Microsoft Azure credits, and -- perhaps most compelling -- introductions to Microsoft's deep pool of customers.