<p> Microsoft aims to create a "technology hub" in Rio de Janeiro, the head of the US software giant's Brazil division said here Thursday.<br /></p>.<p>"We hope to stimulate a flow of knowledge among the Microsoft research teams, local universities, emerging firms and the Brazilian market," Michel Levy told a press conference a day after the company announced plans for a 200 million reais ($100 million) research center in a city better known for beaches and its annual Carnival.</p>.<p>The Advanced Technology Laboratory in Rio will be Microsoft's fourth such facility worldwide and its first in Latin America.</p>.<p>The complex will also house an accelerator for business startups and a local operations center for the company's Bing search engine, Microsoft said.<br /><br />Every two years, the accelerator will select 15 Internet startups to receive administrative, technological and financial support. Each firm will be eligible for financing up to 1 million reais ($500,000).<br /><br />Though the laboratory will not be ready before the end of next year, the Microsoft business accelerator is due to become operational by the second quarter of 2013. </p>
<p> Microsoft aims to create a "technology hub" in Rio de Janeiro, the head of the US software giant's Brazil division said here Thursday.<br /></p>.<p>"We hope to stimulate a flow of knowledge among the Microsoft research teams, local universities, emerging firms and the Brazilian market," Michel Levy told a press conference a day after the company announced plans for a 200 million reais ($100 million) research center in a city better known for beaches and its annual Carnival.</p>.<p>The Advanced Technology Laboratory in Rio will be Microsoft's fourth such facility worldwide and its first in Latin America.</p>.<p>The complex will also house an accelerator for business startups and a local operations center for the company's Bing search engine, Microsoft said.<br /><br />Every two years, the accelerator will select 15 Internet startups to receive administrative, technological and financial support. Each firm will be eligible for financing up to 1 million reais ($500,000).<br /><br />Though the laboratory will not be ready before the end of next year, the Microsoft business accelerator is due to become operational by the second quarter of 2013. </p>