Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a wide array of software products and services. The company is best known for its Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite, which are widely used in consumer and business applications. In addition to software, Microsoft offers gaming hardware, including Xbox consoles and accessories, as well as various consumer devices like Surface tablets. The company's commercial offerings include server products, cloud services through Microsoft Azure, and enterprise solutions like Microsoft Dynamics for customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning. Microsoft also runs a global network of accelerators that support startups by providing mentorship, technical training, and resources, fostering innovation in technology and business development. Through its diverse portfolio and initiatives, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations to achieve more.

Lillian Barnard

CEO and Board Member

Erin Burchfield

Global Director, Microsoft Philanthropies - Tech for Social Impact

Alexia Cambon

Senior Director, Research

Shinesa Cambric

Principal Product Manager

Roberto Croci

Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups MEA

Yuval Eldar

Partner GM IoT / OT Security

Bill Gates

Co-Founder

Nir Giller

Partner and Director of IoT and OT Security

Rashida Hodge

VP, Azure Data and AI | Customer Success

Hsiao-Wuen Hon

Corporate Vice President

Nagraj Kashyap

Corporate Vice President, Microsoft. Global head, M12 (fka Microsoft Ventures)

Philip Meyer

Partner Technology Strategist - Hosting and Cloud

Brandon Middaugh

Senior Director, Climate Innovation Fund

Arindam Mukherjee

Director - Azure Business, Microsoft India

Satya Nadella

CEO

Mohammed Saleh

Health Director

Theresa Sue

Microsoft Partner

Emilia Zarei

Founder and CEO

Past deals in Messaging

CommSwift

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
CommSwift is an ommi channel messaging platform that helps SME to communicate better, automate processes and reduce cost. CommSwift Enterprise helps Banks and Insurance companies to comply regulatory laws through active monitoring and backup of whatsapp communication.

TakeLessons

Acquisition in 2021
TakeLessons operates as a marketplace that connects students with qualified instructors across a variety of subjects, including music, languages, wellness, and the arts. The platform facilitates both online and local classes, catering to diverse learning preferences and styles. Instructors benefit from integrated tools for scheduling, billing, payment processing, and communication, which streamline their business operations and enhance their teaching experience. By prioritizing user-friendly features and a broad selection of subjects, TakeLessons aims to optimize learning outcomes and support both educators and learners in their educational journeys.

Nuance Communications

Acquisition in 2021
Nuance Communications, Inc. specializes in conversational and cognitive artificial intelligence solutions that enhance everyday work and life by amplifying human intelligence. The company provides a range of technologies that understand, analyze, and respond to user inputs, thereby increasing productivity and security. Its Healthcare segment focuses on improving clinical documentation and patient record management through innovations like cloud-based speech solutions and voice-enabled applications. In the Enterprise segment, Nuance delivers automated customer engagement solutions utilizing speech and natural language understanding across various channels, including voice, mobile, web, and messaging. The company also offers services such as voicemail transcription. With a diverse clientele in sectors such as healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, government, and retail, Nuance Communications has established itself as a leader in the field, leveraging decades of expertise in AI and customer engagement. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, the company was formerly known as ScanSoft, Inc. before rebranding in 2005.

Hello Lamp Post

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Hello Lamp Post is a digital communication platform that facilitates interaction between users and street furniture through mobile phones. The service encourages community engagement by allowing individuals to communicate with familiar objects, such as lampposts, via text messages. Users can access helpful information, including bus schedules and parking details, while also posing questions and sharing insights from other participants. This innovative approach aims to enhance community consultation and consumer research, fostering a unique storytelling environment that connects people with their surroundings.

Chalkup

Acquisition in 2018
Chalkup, LLC is an educational technology company that develops a learning management and collaboration platform aimed at enhancing communication and organization within classrooms. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, California, Chalkup serves as a comprehensive solution for students, teachers, parents, and administrators. The platform simplifies tasks such as assigning and grading homework, studying collaboratively, and sharing educational resources. It allows users to integrate Google Drive for document management, utilize messaging tools for peer communication, create customized to-do lists, participate in class discussions, and manage deadlines and events through course calendars. By fostering a connected and organized learning environment, Chalkup enhances the educational experience and promotes engagement among all stakeholders. As of February 2018, Chalkup operates as a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation.

Genee

Acquisition in 2016
Genee is a powerful virtual scheduling assistant based on artificial intelligence. Genee can coordinate the best times to meet between people and track responses. Genee is also a powerful reminder service that works as a Facebook Messenger bot, communicating and reminding you over Facebook Messenger.

Rong Cloud

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Rong Cloud, operated by Beijing Network Technology Co., Ltd., is a leading provider of cloud communication services designed to enhance inter-organizational communication. The company specializes in offering a cloud-based platform that allows developers and enterprises to integrate instant messaging, real-time networking, in-app social networking, live streaming, and file sharing capabilities into their applications without the need for extensive server infrastructure. With a core team that boasts nearly a decade of experience in the development and operation of instant messaging technologies, Rong Cloud aims to address communication inefficiencies across businesses of various sizes by providing robust and scalable communication solutions.

Citious

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Citious offers an instant messaging application for an improved customer service of companies. With the app, when a client wants to contact the company for a problem or doubt, they should only open the company's application on their mobile phone and write a message to them. On the other side of the application, the people in charge of serving customers will receive their message in order to manage it and offer them the best possible response. The company aims to end the annoyances that customers have when they contact companies that cause all the effort they invest in their customer service to not get the results they expect.

Talko

Acquisition in 2015
Talko develops software and services aimed at enhancing mobile communication and social productivity. The company focuses on creating innovative applications that leverage cloud-connected mobile devices to improve communication and facilitate social interactions. Currently, Talko is in the pre-release phase of product development, working on tools designed to support new usage scenarios in the mobile communications landscape.

Zhichi Technologies

Venture Round in 2015
Zhichi Technologies is a prominent intelligent customer experience provider based in Southeast Asia, specializing in a diverse range of solutions including AI chatbots, live chat, call center services, and ticketing systems. Since its inception in 2014, the company has supported over 5,000 brands and enterprises, facilitating millions of interactions across various channels such as online chat, social media, business messaging, and voice calls. Zhichi Technologies is dedicated to delivering a reliable and user-friendly platform that enhances communication between global enterprises and their customers. Additionally, the company has been designated as a Meta authorized business service provider, allowing it to assist enterprises in managing business accounts and executing marketing campaigns, notifications, and other communications efficiently.

Email Copilot

Debt Financing in 2015
Embarke increases engagement and revenue for marketers with 15 minutes of integration and a simple click of a button. We automatically deliver messages when each individual user is most likely to engage, and with content they actually care about. This optimization is automatic (set-it-and-forget-it), and has resulted in 5%-20% increases in opens and clicks.

HeyyThere

Venture Round in 2015
HeyyThere is a location-based messaging application that allows users to leave messages in specific real-world locations for their friends and family. When recipients approach these designated areas, they receive the messages, fostering communication linked to physical places. The platform utilizes technology to ensure that messages are delivered effectively based on the users' geographic locations, enabling meaningful interactions among friends. By focusing on personal connections, HeyyThere aims to enhance social engagement through its innovative approach to location-based messaging.

Vizir

Venture Round in 2015
Vizir is a team of French engineers working since 2015 on conversational interfaces. In collaboration with large groups, Vizir has developed programs accessible via complex conversational interfaces. The research focuses on the robots' ability to handle human conversations, with several questions / answers and unexpected topic changes. In parallel with the development of these use cases, the team has developed a SaaS product, available since 2016 with a V2 in 2018. This product allows Vizir customers and partners to create or take control of their robots.

NowFloats

Series A in 2015
NowFloats is a platform designed to assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in establishing and maintaining an online presence through the use of SMS technology. By sending simple text messages, businesses can update their websites with relevant content such as offers and news, which are then communicated to their loyal customers. The platform employs an intelligent algorithm that enhances search engine optimization, increasing the visibility of these businesses online. In India, where a significant number of SMEs lack a digital footprint, NowFloats addresses this gap by providing a straightforward solution for businesses to engage with customers and drive traffic to their websites. With a robust user base of nearly 2000 customers shortly after its launch, NowFloats leverages the widespread use of mobile phones to create a scalable and sustainable business model, enabling SMEs to respond quickly to market demands and improve their sales directly through their online catalogs.

Bontact

Seed Round in 2015
Bontact operates a multi-channel communication platform designed to enhance direct engagement between businesses and their website visitors. Based in New York, the company offers an integrated solution that includes live chat, callback services, SMS, and email, all accessible through a single interface. This platform allows businesses to facilitate real-time communication with customers, improving both sales and customer support experiences. Bontact’s user-friendly interface enables advanced reporting and conversation management, helping businesses tailor their interactions to meet customer needs. By promoting proactive customer engagement, Bontact aims to create a more personalized and positive online shopping environment.

Wooju

Venture Round in 2014
Wooju is the app that lets you snap & solve life's choices. Simply snap a picture, ask a yes/no question and send to friends. They vote, and you receive an easy-to-use poll that helps you decide what to do. And hey, if you're not satisfied with your friends' opinions, you can always ask a random selection of our user base by opting to go public.

Pinio

Seed Round in 2014
Pinio lets us share what we think and how we feel in a richer, more personal way. Share your thoughts with the world, engage in small communities or spark public talks.

HeyyThere

Non Equity Assistance in 2013
HeyyThere is a location-based messaging application that allows users to leave messages in specific real-world locations for their friends and family. When recipients approach these designated areas, they receive the messages, fostering communication linked to physical places. The platform utilizes technology to ensure that messages are delivered effectively based on the users' geographic locations, enabling meaningful interactions among friends. By focusing on personal connections, HeyyThere aims to enhance social engagement through its innovative approach to location-based messaging.

Feiyan

Non Equity Assistance in 2012
allows users to send coupons for a custom meal via text message, and to send virtual gifts and attend celebrations in spirit.

Email Copilot

Seed Round in 2012
Embarke increases engagement and revenue for marketers with 15 minutes of integration and a simple click of a button. We automatically deliver messages when each individual user is most likely to engage, and with content they actually care about. This optimization is automatic (set-it-and-forget-it), and has resulted in 5%-20% increases in opens and clicks.

WhatsApp

Series A in 2011
WhatsApp is a mobile messaging application that enables users to communicate globally without incurring SMS charges. Available on various platforms including iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone, the app utilizes users' existing internet data plans for messaging, allowing for unlimited exchanges of text, images, video, and audio. In addition to one-on-one conversations, WhatsApp supports group messaging, facilitating connections among multiple users. This functionality makes it easy for individuals to share moments, important information, and maintain relationships, positioning WhatsApp as a simple and reliable communication tool in the digital landscape.

Danger

Acquisition in 2008
Danger was a technology company that specialized in providing software and hardware solutions, particularly known for powering T-Mobile's Sidekick phone. This device was geared towards younger users and was notable for its robust messaging capabilities, handling over 4,000 messages and 400 pageviews per user each month at its peak. In 2008, Microsoft acquired Danger, but the company faced significant challenges, including a major server issue in 2009 that resulted in data loss for users. By May 2011, the cloud data service for Danger-powered Sidekick devices was discontinued, marking the end of an era for the product. Throughout its operations, Danger offered integrated solutions that enabled mobile operators to deliver data and internet services effectively to their subscribers.

Parlano

Acquisition in 2007
Parlano, acquired by Microsoft for an undisclosed amount in 2007, is the maker of MindAlign enterprise-level team collaboration and messaging products. The MindAlign product series is a mix between email and chat platform created for business use. Microsoft plans on using the communication platform to improve Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator. The MindAlign platform mixes the asynchronous nature of email with the real-time nature of IM to allow groups to have "persistent group chat" around "business-critical topics". They also claim that the product helps to unclutter your information silos. All their enterprise-level jargon will fit in perfectly with Microsoft.

Colloquis

Acquisition in 2006
Colloquis created conversation-based interactive customer service agents, distributed via instant messaging platforms. Creator of first bot on AOL Instant Messenger, SmarterChild.

Frontbridge Technologies

Acquisition in 2005
Frontbridge technologies provided electronic messaging with security services for email and IM archiving, spam filtering, virus scanning, encrypted email, policy enforcement and disaster recovery.

MessageCast

Acquisition in 2005
MessageCast, acquired by Microsoft in 2005, is a pioneer in creating broadcast messaging systems using real-time networks and RSS content feeds. MessageCast's technology notifies customers about information services, blog and podcast updates, product information, and updates.

Windows Live Hotmail

Acquisition in 1997
Windows Live Hotmail offers Web-based email services. Its services include Hotmail, MSN, Messenger, SkyDrive password-protected online storage, and Windows live, as well as provision for photos and slideshows, and calendar and events. The company was formerly known as MSN Hotmail. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Redmond, Washington.
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