Organization · Corporate Venture Capital
M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
M12 is Microsoft's corporate venture capital fund based in the United States, focusing on early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including AI and cloud infrastructure.
Overview
What M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund does
What M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund is
M12 is Microsoft's corporate venture capital fund based in the United States, focusing on early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including AI and cloud infrastructure.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Corporate Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2016
- Approximate age
- About 10 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Official channels
Find M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund as a funder
Investment thesis
M12 focuses on early-stage enterprise software disruption, leveraging Microsoft's ecosystem to support portfolio companies in cloud infrastructure, DevTools, AI, cybersecurity, and gaming.
Focus narrative
M12 invests in a variety of sectors, including cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, developer tools, deep tech and AI, cybersecurity, and web3 and gaming. The fund targets early-stage companies, aiming to utilize Microsoft's resources to support their growth.
Value beyond capital
M12 provides significant value to its portfolio companies by leveraging Microsoft's vast enterprise ecosystem, offering Azure credits, facilitating introductions to enterprise customers, and enabling integration within Microsoft's distribution channels.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $1,000,000–$20,000,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Sectors
- Cloud Infrastructure · AI · Cybersecurity · Web3 · Gaming
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 100
- Recorded notable exits
- unicorns and IPOs
Portfolio context
M12 has invested in over 100 companies, including notable portfolio companies such as Inworld, an AI and gaming startup; Space and Time, a Web3 database provider; HiddenLayer, a cybersecurity firm specializing in AI security; Agolo, a vertical SaaS company; Airobotics, an enterprise applications provider; Applied Intuition, a deep tech and AI company; and Arkose Labs, a cybersecurity firm.
Capability profile
M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund as a publisher
Editorial focus
M12 invests in early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Developer Tools, Deep Tech and AI, Cybersecurity, and Web3 and Gaming. The fund leverages Microsoft's resources to support portfolio companies in scaling and achieving market success.
Audience value
M12 provides early-stage companies with access to Microsoft's extensive resources and expertise, helping them scale and succeed in the market.
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
M12 has invested in over 100 companies, including notable portfolio companies such as Inworld, Space and Time, HiddenLayer, Agolo, Airobotics, Applied Intuition, and Arkose Labs.
Common questions
What to know about M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Upseed classifies M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund under the Corporate Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and publisher capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.