How M12 puts 'Microsoft muscle' behind start-ups around the world [Updated]

Update September 7, 2022 at 4:01 p.grand. ET: The text has been updated to reflect changes to the source article.

Microsoft'southward venture arm M12 invests in a wide range of startups around the globe. A contempo piece by Crunchbase gives unique insight into the firm. The fund was founded In 2022 and has evolved and grown steadily since its launch.

While Microsoft has a history of investing in companies to meliorate its strategic position within the industry, that'south not the motivation behind M12. "Nosotros are financially focused, not strategic in that sense," said Priyanka Mitra to Cruchbase. Mitra invests in SaaS, infrastructure, and wellness intendance IT for M12.

In fact, at that place are instances in which M12 has to be careful not to invest in startups that are too close to Microsoft.

"It'due south a fine line we have to walk," said Samir Kumar, M12's director investing in artificial intelligence/machine learning and deep tech to Cruchbase. "Y'all don't want to be on a collision course to compete with Microsoft."

While M12 invests in companies, information technology stopped having "right of beginning" terms with companies a few years ago. These terms are commonplace with investment firms and give an investor the right to buy a startup earlier anyone else if information technology goes upward for sale.

The frequency and value of M12's investments have grown steadily over the last five years. According to Cruchbase information, M12 made xv investments in 2022. In 2022, the venture arm made 55 investments. It'due south already on step to beat last year, having made 39 investments so far in 2022.

A similar growth pattern appears when looking at the dollar amounts of M12's investments. During its starting time three years, M12 fabricated investments upwards to $10 million. Over time, that amount rose to $20 1000000. The number of funding rounds has also increased over the years. Last year M12 led 13 rounds, the highest it's e'er had in a twelvemonth.

Because M12 has the financial bankroll of Microsoft, its leaders can focus on investment in a style that other venture artillery can't. M12's Tamara Steffens says that the firm can put "Microsoft muscle" backside the startups it invests in.

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