Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact News: January edition

Introduction by Anthony Virapin , Worldwide Leader, Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact 

Welcome to the January edition of Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact News and Bonne Année!  

After a fantastic 2024 that saw our community continue to grow around the world, I know we can go further and faster in 2025. These last few weeks have shown that the work is already underway: 

At Davos, Kate Behncken , Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies, attended the World Economic Forum 's inaugural Corporate Leadership Council meeting. The session brought together over 30 leading companies and corporate foundations to advance social innovation and discuss how businesses can drive equitable transitions in the digital economy. Kate shared our ongoing efforts to provide digital skills and technology support to underserved communities, nonprofits, and IGOs, while emphasizing the importance of aligning business strategies with societal impact. Together, I know that we can close the $1.1 trillion funding gap in social innovation and create lasting positive change.  

📸 World Economic Forum / Thibaut Bouvier  

Social innovators are at the heart of this movement, which is why I’m delighted to welcome to the new cohort of entrepreneurs joining us for the six-month Accelerator program. Big congratulations on your selection: AIATELLA , AssoConnect / Springly , Azura Fashion Group , Correntics , Delicious Data GmbH , Digita11y Accessible , Epistemix , Fruggr by Digital4Better , Goodwall , Husk Power , Material Exchange , Methinks AI , OriginTrail , Osano , PayAngel , PayCruiser® , Statt , Strolll , SureImpact , Taleemabad , TrusTrace , Unified Imaging , Urban Connect , Veda App (वेद) , Vera Solutions | Tech For Good , and Vizcab . 

I am also very happy to announce that we are introducing a brand-new pathway: The Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact Booster Program. This will provide a cohort of selected entrepreneurs with hands-on technology support from @Moov'inCloud, new opportunities for networking and visibility, and a two-week tech implementation crash course called the Sprint. Keep an eye out for updates and information on our social networks! 

Looking ahead to February, we have a busy month starting next week with the first Experience Vision at Le Grand Rex Cinema on February 6. After a panel discussion with Laura Turkington , Daniel Nowack and myself, we'll be showcasing five fantastic entrepreneurs dedicated to the new dawn of immersive technologies and AI in our economy and society. See you there Mitiga Solutions , Vizcab , Methinks AI , Springly and Material Exchange ! 

Finally, hot on the heels of Experience Vision, you’ll also be able join us online for our first webinar of the year: Scaling Sustainability with AI. With guest speakers from TALSOM , Centaur Analytics, Inc. , Earth Plus , and our alliance partners, Solar Impulse Foundation , it’s not one to miss. 

We hope to see you soon.  

Best wishes, 

Anthony Virapin & the Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact Team 

Positive Impact Entrepreneur Spotlight: MeThinks AI 

This month’s spotlight shines on a healthcare software innovator joining us at Experience Vision next week. Without further ado, introducing Methinks AI : 

What do they do? 

Founded in 2016 by Cristian Marti, Methinks’ vision is that every stroke patient has access to timely treatment. Supporting stroke coordination with advanced AI in the most scalable manner, Methinks unlocks life-saving stroke treatments by leveraging the simplest imaging methods. Seamlessly integrated into Microsoft Teams, Methinks delivers a comprehensive stroke coordination system without requiring the installation of additional applications.  

What have they been up to recently? 

Over the past few months, Methinks has been creating cutting-edge AI modules to enhance assessments from non-contrast CT scans (NCCT) and extend eligibility to treatment. These innovations include measuring the volume of affected tissue—capabilities that traditionally required advanced and scarce imaging technologies! Learn more about their work supported by Microsoft here and if you speak Spanish, check out the feature below: 

What are their ambitions for 2025? 

Throughout 2025, Methinks will focus on proving the scalability of its solution by integrating additional AI modules and ensuring seamless compatibility with existing hospital systems. These efforts will make installation even easier and position Methinks and Microsoft Teams as the most scalable and efficient way to use AI in acute care. 

On a larger scale, Methinks is looking to expand commercially across Europe, the US and other regions, with a robust pipeline of regional hospital networks and countries eager to adopt its technology and improve access to life-saving stroke treatments. This means that the team is working closely with Microsoft to enhance the platform by developing further integrations to create a comprehensive solution for acute care coordination. 

Lessons from Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact 

AI Agents – what are they? How can they benefit positive impact entrepreneurs? 

AI agents represent a significant leap forward in generative AI technology, taking it beyond mere assistance to become powerful collaborators in the workplace. These agents can work alongside you, or even on your behalf, handling a wide range of tasks, from responding to simple questions to complex multi-step assignments.  

Here are FOUR key insights into what AI agents are and how they can benefit you:  

1. Autonomous task execution: AI agents can work independently, tackling mundane, routine needs to boost productivity across industries. They can operate around the clock, freeing up human time and resources for more strategic or creative work. 
2. Specialised expertise on demand: Unlike general assistants, AI agents can be tailored with particular expertise. For example, you could create an agent with in-depth knowledge of your company’s product catalogue to compile information for presentations. 
3. Seamless integration with existing systems: AI agents can be integrated into platforms such as Microsoft 365 or custom-built using tools such as Copilot Studio. This flexibility allows businesses to create agents tailored to their specific needs, connecting them to relevant business data such as emails, reports, and management systems. 
4. Paradigm shift in work processes: As AI agents gain more autonomy through innovations in memory, they’re poised to revolutionize how work gets done. From expense reporting to project management, agents are driving exponential impact for businesses by taking on crucial duties that keep operations running smoothly. 

As AI agent technology continues to develop and evolve, it promises to transform business processes, streamline operations and drive innovation at scale, transforming startups and larger companies. Read more about AI agents and how they will change the world of work here.  

What’s happening in February? 

Webinars: 

• What? 💡 Scaling Sustainably with AI: From Pilot Projects to Market Leadership 

• When? 📅 Wed, Feb 12, 5pm CET 

• Where? 📍 LinkedIn Live 

Ecosystem events:  

• What? 💡 Experience Vision  

• When? 📅 February 6  

• Where? 📍 Le Grand Rex, Paris 

• Sessions: 

• Vision to Action: Empowering Impact Startups to Shape a Better Future, 14:45-15:15 CET: Anthony Virapin joins Laura Turkington , EY , and Daniel Nowack , World Economic Forum to explore how the corporate and startup ecosystem can work together to create positive, real world impact at scale. 

• Tech for Good | 5 startups shaping a better world, 16:05-17:05 PM CET: Mitiga Solutions , Vizcab , Methinks AI , Springly and Material Exchange pitch their game-changing solutions to the audience, followed by a Q&A with Anthony Virapin , Laura Turkington , and Jean-Philippe Courtois . 

Join our community!  

The Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact (EfPI) program is open to entrepreneurs from all industries, who are working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We enthusiastically welcome applicants from diverse sectors who are passionately committed to driving positive change and integrating social and environmental goals into their business endeavors. Whether your venture operates in technology, healthcare, education, or any other field, if you're driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference, we encourage you to apply to the EfPI program. 

Apply today