Advancing the future of AI: M12 and VC partners award $3.5 million to Innovate.AI winners - The Official Microsoft Blog

Last year, M12, Microsoft's venture fund (formerly known as Microsoft Ventures), set out on a mission to uncover the most innovative startups harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform businesses and solve real-world challenges. Together with Madrona Venture Group, Notion and Vertex Ventures, we put a combined $3.5 million in investment funding on the line to kick off Innovate.AI, a global startup competition that would drive progress in AI and further Microsoft's commitment to making AI accessible for all. Six months later, we're overwhelmed with the response. Not only did we receive hundreds of submissions, the companies were all innovative, impactful and inspiring. In healthcare, startups are utilizing AI to create personal and mental health assistants, conduct drug research and diagnosis as well as spot patterns and abnormalities.