The GenAI Accelerator provides comprehensive support for the chosen firms, including technical guidance and exclusive go-to-market opportunities that will help them reach new customers and accelerate revenue streams, with dedicated support from WeTransact.  

These 12 companies were selected from over 300 applications, reflecting an acceptance rate of less than 4%. They were chosen by a panel of Microsoft and programme partners for the strength of their idea, technical readiness, customer reach and future aspirations.  

Meet the 12 GenAI innovators 

• Atla helps developers find AI mistakes at scale, empowering them to build more reliable GenAI applications. LLMs reach their full potential only when they consistently produce safe and useful results. Atla trains models to catch mistakes, monitor AI performance and understand critical failure modes, so developers can fix them.
• Auquan is generative AI for automating deep knowledge work in finance. One-quarter of the top 20 global asset managers, investment banks and private equity firms use Auquan to empower their best people to focus on high impact work, make better-informed strategic decisions faster, and outperform.
• AutogenAI uses advanced AI technology to streamline the complex bid process. Our solution empowers large enterprises to submit high-quality, winning bids while minimising resource needs and time investment.  
• Aveni AI develops advanced AI solutions specifically for the financial services industry, combining deep sector expertise with the latest innovations in Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology. Our specialised NLP models address complex regulatory challenges, enhancing compliance, efficiency and performance. Trusted by industry leaders, Aveni is redefining what’s possible in financial services, delivering solutions that drive value across the entire operating model of an advice business.
• DeepSearch Labs focuses on AI-powered document analysis and data extraction. Its tools enable businesses to process and understand complex datasets efficiently, supporting research, compliance and strategic decision-making.
• Faradai is a decarbonisation intelligence company, providing enterprise AI software for digitising, automating and supercharging net-zero efforts. By combining granular data, advanced machine learning algorithms and deep sustainability expertise, Faradai provides real-time data acquisition, data management, compliance, and reporting tools to help large companies manage their carbon emissions and ESG performance, and decarbonise their business operations and supply chains.
• Haiper.ai is an AI platform for visual content creation, building its own visual foundation models. Haiper’s newly launched 2.5 model sets a new industry standard for quality, enabling its 6 million-plus users and enterprise customers to generate hyper-realistic videos and images faster than ever before.
• RevEng.AI is building foundation AI models for detecting security threats and weakness inside binary software. Our AIaaS platform helps malware analysts and security engineers identify malicious components and verify the security of software supply chains when partial or no source code is available. 
• SentiSum leverages Generative AI to transform large-scale consumer feedback and customer care data into actionable insights. Scanning every interaction in real-time, SentiSum makes insights as simple as asking questions, helping global brands like Gousto, Ticketmaster and BAT to identify and prioritise fixes that improve customer experience, retention and product strategies. 
• Soter has been a global leader in AI solutions since 2017, revolutionising risk management, workplace safety and compliance for industrial and insurance sectors. Its SoterAI platform uses proprietary real-time analysis of images, videos and data to quickly identify risks and deliver actionable solutions, setting new standards for AI-powered safety and productivity.
• TurinTech represents the evolution of AI with Artemis, a next-generation Code Optimisation Platform that goes beyond traditional AI code generation tools. While others stop at generating functional code, Artemis delivers fully optimised, production-ready solutions by combining agentic workflows, genetic algorithms and real-time validation – unlocking faster innovation, reduced costs and enterprise-grade reliability.
• Vortex IQ powers 140+ enterprises and partners with BigCommerce, Shopify, Adobe Commerce and Magento, offering a Vertical AI Agent Platform for Ecommerce with over 70 AI agents translating insights to actions. These agents optimise every e-commerce job role – from manager to developer – driving innovation and growth for enterprise merchants worldwide. 

Empowering innovation and driving impact 

Our brief descriptions show how these companies are driving industry-wide innovation by applying AI to solve complex problems. Their solutions enhance efficiency, streamline workflows and unlock new business opportunities. From advancing data analysis and automation to optimising decision-making and operations, they are enabling smarter, faster and more impactful outcomes.

In early 2025, each company in the cohort will receive tailored mentorship, cloud resources and access to world-class experts. Their journey will culminate in a showcase event, hosted at the Microsoft Experience Centre in London, where participants will present their solutions. 

Learn more about partnering with us

Explore programmes and resources that can help you build, innovate and scale your AI solutions with Microsoft and our partners.

• Register for the upcoming GenAI Lab – a one-hour virtual event on building AI solutions and go-to-market with Microsoft. 

• Visit Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub – get up to USD 150,000 of Azure credits to put towards a wide range of AI models, including Azure OpenAI Service, Meta Llama and Microsoft’s own Phi small language models. 

• Join Microsoft ISV Success – innovate and go to market faster, with exclusive benefits across cloud credits, developer tools and more. 

• Join NVIDIA Inception for Startups – a free programme designed to help startups evolve faster through cutting-edge technology, opportunities to connect with venture capitalists and access to the latest technical resources from NVIDIA. Learn more and apply via the link.

Looking ahead 

As AI continues to revolutionise industries and redefine what’s possible, these 12 companies are leading the charge. At Microsoft, we are proud to partner with such visionary innovators, helping them bring their ideas to life and scale their impact. Stay tuned for updates on their progress as they help shape the future of technology. 

About the author

After gaining 25 years’ experience in the technology consulting sector, including leadership roles at Accenture across Software as a Service, Cloud First Applications and Salesforce Business for the UK & Ireland, Orla joined Microsoft in March 2021 to lead the Global Partner Solutions organisation. She oversees Microsoft’s UK partner ecosystem, which includes independent software vendors, advisory partners, systems integrators, telcos, and channel partners. Orla also serves on the Microsoft UK Senior Leadership Team.

The post Announcing the 12 companies selected for the Microsoft UK GenAI Accelerator  appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.

The partnership, which will see us supply a variety of digital solutions to NHS organisations all over the country, is the latest step in a trusted relationship that has already spanned several decades. It will also be key to accelerating the ongoing digital transformation of the health service, one of the world’s greatest and most-loved public institutions.

Personally speaking, it is something of which I am extremely proud. Microsoft’s work with the NHS is genuinely helping to improve people’s lives. Since the start of the pandemic, for example, the roll out of Microsoft Teams across the organisation saved NHS employees around 17 million hours of productive time, allowing them to concentrate on dealing with the extraordinary levels of demand for healthcare instead.

Today’s partnership announcement could not be more timely. As we celebrate the NHS’s 75^th anniversary, it faces some of the greatest challenges in its history: record waiting lists; soaring inflation; an aging population; and chronic staff shortages. Microsoft’s digital technologies can – and must – contribute to easing these pressures by increasing productivity, supporting collaboration and mitigating security threats.

A lighter load

In short, we must help equip the NHS to thrive in a digital-first world, enabling it to deliver high quality services to patients more quickly, efficiently and equitably.

Using the Microsoft cloud to automate processes is a great place to start as the more we can do to lighten healthcare professionals’ administrative load and alleviate the pressures on their time, the more they can focus on doing what they do best: caring for patients.

As well as freeing up staff from repetitive tasks and unnecessary meetings, automation can also help streamline the process of onboarding for new clinicians, while cloud technologies reduce the need for capital investment in on-premises infrastructure, generating further savings for the NHS that can be redirected to patient care.

Collaboration empowered

The impact on patients’ experiences should be equally transformative. Whether it’s at their GP surgery, on the wards or in a specialist hospital, people want and expect their interactions with the NHS to be joined-up.

Microsoft’s digital technologies can help make that happen, giving staff from across different NHS departments and geographical locations the power to connect and collaborate on the delivery of truly integrated care services.

Imagine nurses overseeing bed and capacity management, for example. By using Teams, they can build a 360-degree view of patient requirements, share operational documents instantly and communicate any changes and updates with each other at speed.

A securer future

Microsoft technologies can also help solve another of the health service’s most pressing concerns: cybersecurity. The volume of data and personal information held by the NHS is greater than ever and the positive side of this is that it enables better, more connected treatment for patients.

However, it is also intensifies the security risk, especially with criminals becoming ever more sophisticated and frequent in their attacks. The financial, operational and societal costs of an NHS cyber breach could undoubtedly be significant and damaging.

In 2021, Microsoft committed to investing $20 billion in security over the next five years to continue protecting our customers around the world. Today’s agreement will enable Microsoft to continue to work with NHS England and Local NHS Organisations, developing the required access to a comprehensive suite of security solutions to protect their people, data and assets. These include threat protection, data governance and compliance solutions that will continue to bolster the health service’s cyber resilience going forward.

Proud history, ambitious future

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. And nowhere is this more important than in the world of healthcare. One of our company’s most important achievements was the assistance we gave to the NHS during the pandemic, ensuring GP practices, NHS organisations and national bodies could keep their systems running and their people working together at a time of unprecedented national need.

We have also worked closely with NHS IT staff to accelerate the digital transformation of its systems faster than was ever believed possible and continue to support the much-needed shift towards the remote delivery of key elements of the patient journey. Read more about the different elements of our longstanding NHS partnership.

Yet while we are proud of those achievements so far, what really matters is what’s next. The health service once again finds itself facing widespread transformation and reform alongside the ever-present challenge of improving outcomes while limiting costs. Now more than ever, we must look to technology as a way to maximise the time NHS staff have for care and to, ultimately, deliver better experiences for patients. On the path to a digital future, Microsoft is committed to helping the NHS every step of the way.

Find out more

Maximising time to care: accelerating NHS digital achievements, at scale

NHS makes data more discoverable using Azure Cognitive Search to save clinicians’ time

vCreate & Microsoft Azure connects patients with their families and clinical teams

About the author

Jacob leads Microsoft’s UK local government, healthcare and life sciences business.

A former adviser to two UK Prime Ministers, Jacob has worked in healthcare locally, nationally and internationally, in the NHS and overseas.

Jacob was the Harkness Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health and is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London’s Public Policy Institute.

The post Maximising the time for care in the NHS appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.

More than a business agreement, the partnership between Microsoft and Sunderland is based on shared values and aspirations. We’re joining forces to positively impact the lives of local people and businesses in this vibrant city.

Microsoft’s focus on public-sector transformation has been a driving force throughout our collaboration. We know from experience that technology and digital solutions can help revolutionise public services, making them more efficient, effective, and citizen-centric.

Working hand in hand with the council, we’re leveraging Microsoft’s cutting-edge technologies and expertise to streamline administrative processes, enhance citizen engagement, and optimise resource allocation. We want to redefine what it means to deliver public services in the digital age. 

“Smart cities” collaboration: creating a connected, sustainable future 

Our mutual commitment to smart cities collaboration also sets this partnership apart. Sunderland City Council’s vision for a new kind of urban development aligns perfectly with our expertise in creating smart city solutions. We’re on a joint mission to transform Sunderland into a connected environment that offers enhanced liveability, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

By integrating advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data analytics, we’re shaping an urban ecosystem that will optimise resource management, create intelligent infrastructure, and foster innovation. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a future that embraces digital transformation, innovation, and inclusion.

Empowering citizens with new skills

It’s important to note that our partnership goes beyond technology and infrastructure. At its core, this initiative is about empowering the people of Sunderland.

We understand the importance of digital skills in today’s world. They can provide a significant boost to personal growth, employability, social mobility, and community development. That’s why Microsoft has long supported UK digital talent with events and training opportunities, as well as initiatives such as the Microsoft Connector Community.

In Sunderland, we’re equally committed to bridging the digital divide for residents by providing technology skills training, resources, and support. Through our collaboration we’ll equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. By empowering local people, we’re not only transforming lives but also fuelling innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience within the community. 

“Together, we will minimise disconnects between people, technology and place.”

Liz St Louis
Director of Smart Cities, Sunderland City Council

The journey begins

Our Memorandum of Understanding with Sunderland has set the stage for an exciting journey of collaboration and positive change.

Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, said: “Catalysed by our leading smart city achievements, I am extremely proud to be harnessing this new relationship with esteemed partners, Microsoft. 

“Together, we will minimise disconnects between people, technology and place – leaving no-one and nowhere behind.  

“Microsoft’s thought leadership, technology and digital solutions will help to revolutionise our public services, whilst empowering our people, as we continue to digitally transform our smart city.” 

Watch this space to see how technology innovation and a vision help Sunderland reimagine itself as a thriving digital hub. 

Find out more

• Visit the Microsoft for Government hub
• See our skilling and career resources
• Visit the Microsoft UK Digital Skills hub
• Read the blog: New connections – how we’re bridging the UK digital skills gap

About the author

I lead the Northern Sales Team at Microsoft, working with regional government on digital transformation and using technology and digital skills to drive economic growth and citizens’ lives.

The post Enhancing citizen-centric public services in the digital age appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.

For most of her patient life, the burden of managing both worlds – healthcare and social care – fell on my grandfather, an 80-plus-year-old gentleman with a passion for technology. As her home-based support, he was always eager to help, but often lacked the knowledge and means to do it. No one had ever taught him how to carry out remote monitoring or use blood pressure cuffs. As a result, he frequently struggled to keep my grandmother’s clinician informed in-between visits.

Today, technology is fundamentally changing how care is provided. Modern digital solutions are shifting the industry towards telehealth and remote services. This allows people like my grandparents to receive care at any time, wherever they are.

At the same time, the role of hospitals is changing too.

We’ve long been used to seeing them as patient magnets, but now the paradigm is shifting. As Integrated Care Systems prepare to launch in the UK, hospitals are turning into centres of excellence for clinicians.

That’s something that we at Microsoft want to help achieve. Using technology, we’re working to position hospitals as the lighthouse at the centre of planned and critical treatment. Providing patients with all the clinical coverage and expertise they need, without needing to be physically present.

Delivering unparalleled services in a new era of accessible and equitable care.

From hospital to housepital and hospitel

When I was a young student in Germany, I used to take a very peculiar type of school bus – one that today would be the definition of ‘utilitarian’. During the day, they were taking us to school, but overnight, they could easily be turned into field ambulances. They were capable of hosting some 20 hospital beds in case of necessity. 

Years have passed since then, and yet the concept is still very much the same. If anything, it’s been amplified by the pandemic.

COVID-19 has expanded the way people see hospitals. They can almost be any place where you can safely plug in a laptop and use equipment to treat patients. This has meant repurposing both public-serving spaces. For example, we now talk about hospitels – or private ones, also called housepitals.

Countries around the world are now using hotel rooms as quarantine locations for those needing to self-isolate. Meanwhile, during lockdowns we’ve seen hospitality suites at the Arsenal Stadium being turned into pregnancy clinics. Field hospitals have been set up on the back of mini-buses and conference pavilions became hospital wards. All in the space of weeks.  

Finally, virtual wards and remote care are increasingly taking place in our living rooms and bedrooms, where doctors can check on their patients through online platforms.    

Towards a more hybrid patient journey

As the role of hospitals continues to be redefined, technology and data are reshaping the way health services are provided.  

From the earliest stages of preoperative care, all the way through on-site services to the very end of postoperative care, digital solutions are turning the patient journey into a mix of on and off-site care. This helps organisations cope with demand and make better use of their resources.  

A prime example is Project Breathe, a scheme that I’ve been fortunate to work on and which targets teenage and child patients with cystic fibrosis. Crucial to those suffering from this condition, which affects the lungs, is exercising at least three times a day to keep their breathing normal.

To make sure even the youngest patients commit to it – particularly when at home – Project Breathe has developed a solution that allows children to play computer games while blowing into their spirometer.

This isn’t just helping make the exercise more enjoyable. It also gains key data on the patient’s condition, which can then be analysed to make predictions. All while the patient never leaves home.

Sharing is caring

As a Global Industry specialist, my role is to oversee how Microsoft is helping organisations around the world to implement pioneering technology. That’s something really powerful. It allows me to learn valuable lessons across different countries and apply them to the British healthcare sector.

It’s also a great opportunity to share knowledge and expertise among various organisations and put them in contact for greater collaboration. A great example is the DRIVE initiative that Great Ormond Street Hospital has launched.

Created in collaboration with University College London and Siemens, this initiative brings together doctors, medical device experts and academics. Its goal is to come up with initiatives that inspire care teams to make more and better use of technology in their work.

This, to me, is fundamental to empowering the healthcare sector. Ensuring that all clinics and institutes have the same resources and capabilities is at the heart of providing efficient, reliable care for our communities. As well as the reason why I do this job: For the opportunity to create better access to healthcare and access to better healthcare.  

Making healthcare accessible and equitable

If we really want to realise the idea of ‘hospitals everywhere’, then we need to ensure that everyone has the same technological means to access it. 

This is, in my opinion, one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing. We’re seeing an increasingly strong link between health inequities and digital inclusion. As as result, too many people find themselves underserved and unable to access vital care.

Take my parents, for example. Living in a not-spot, they only get Wi-Fi connectivity when the Edinburgh to London train goes through, thanks to its onboard hotspot. Outside of that, they have to hang the phone out of their bedroom window to get a signal.

How can you run tele consultations when you’re living in these conditions?

That, to me, is where I see partnerships and collaborations like DRIVE to really make the difference. They bring together different types of expertise to make sure that people can receive care wherever they are, however they need it. All while developing affordable solutions, as well as educating people to make the best of them.

Starting out for a new healthcare

I am not usually one to make predictions. However, one thing I know with certainty is that ten years from now, technology will be the deciding factor between successful and unsuccessful organisations. Those of them that have not embraced digital transformation will have a tough time coping.

So how exactly can they get there? What are the first few steps you can take to realise digital transformation at your organisation?

The most important thing when starting off is figuring out where you are today. Take an honest assessment of where you’re starting from. Then, identify an initial two or three goals you want to achieve.

Be realistic about what’s possible and understand your ability to absorb change, as well as where to go and ask for help. Once that comes, the next part is making sure you partner, listen and learn from other organisations.

My advice is also to embrace a risk-taking culture. The unpredictability of COVID-19 has proven that this is crucial.

It’s also shown that when crisis hits, the NHS has proven to itself that it can adapt quickly and deliver some great services. These may not be perfect yet, but they’re a great start to further change and efficiencies.

Microsoft Envision UK

London, May 19 2022
Join us at our first in-person UK conference in over two years where we will explore the road ahead in 2022 and beyond.

Reserve your FREE space now

Find out more

• Drive patient engagement
• 10 real AI applications in healthcare
• A guide to data for healthcare leaders
• Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare

About the author

David is currently a Global Industry Specialist for Microsoft with a focus on Healthcare and Life Sciences. He is a highly experienced business strategist and futurist with a technology pivot. David is driven to help address digital exclusion and heath inequities through his work and collaboration with healthcare systems around the globe. He completed his MBA at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, graduating with a distinction. David continues to live in Asia but operate globally. Some of his work includes the strategy on closing the gap in Indonesia’s universal health insurance system of almost 290 million members. His daily mission is to think about how digital transformation we can create better access to healthcare, and access to better healthcare.

The post Hospitals everywhere: The answer to accessible and equitable healthcare? appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.

SSE Renewables and Microsoft have established a strategic partnership focused on sustainability, to identify, develop and deploy innovation activities aligned to the zero-carbon ambitions. This partnership will look to address new ways of working, with the aspiration of adoption across the SSE group. Together we will collaborate across key themes to promote the awareness of business challenges and opportunities around sustainability, technology and digital innovation. We have a view to share knowledge and develop potential solutions to drive operational efficiency through accelerated renewable energy, decarbonisation and digital solutions.

SSE has a goal of trebling their green energy output by 2030. And while tech helps drive us to this goal, a growth mindset culture and open partnerships will help us achieve this. Let’s take a look at the key takeaways we’ve learnt over our 18-month partnership.

Focus on the end goal of sustainability

We started our partnership in envisioning workshops. This gave us the space to explore the possibilities and opportunities we had and how we could use technology to help. What became immediately clear was that we need to focus on our end goal.

Your values are the key that unlocks your innovation. It’s not a case of shoehorning in a piece of tech just for the sake of it. Ask yourself “How can we do what we need to do?” This will help you start on the right path. And remember to continually ask yourself that question throughout your journey to ensure that goal stays at the top of your mind.

We made sure our workshops had people from different areas of SSE, external organisations and our partners like Microsoft. This meant we got a diverse range of ideas and opinions. What was most important was we all came with open minds, which then grew into a space of growth mindset.

Put the tech in front of your people

We wanted to put digital technology in front of our people in the business and see if we could apply that to our problems. Once people saw what it could do, they became passionate to share the knowledge with the rest of the business.

While it’s important to know that technology isn’t the only part of the journey. It’s the thing that helps unlock our innovation, and allows us to work in a hybrid and agile way. As part of our next step, we brought people in to try out our ideas. We listened to their feedback. With a holistic view of your journey – and always remembering your end goal – you can ensure you’re creating the most resilient path.

Coming with this is the need to re- or up-skill your employees. As we introduce new technology or new ways of working, we need to ensure they are confident to use it in their best way. This can be done though virtual training sessions, or even on-demand learning paths. At Microsoft we have some great resources that we were able to share, such as Microsoft Learn.

Don’t be afraid of innovation to drive sustainability

In the Digital Ventures team, we created an innovation space where we could work quite aggressively to bring SSE’s goals to life. This involves taking risks – which can sound quite frightening, but not when it’s done in a space where it’s safe. We invited people to challenge how we did things. This growth mindset has spread throughout the business, and we’ve found that people are sharing ideas and being more open.

Because we had tools like Microsoft Teams, staying collaborative when we went to 100 percent remote working was easy. It meant that we even had the opportunity to invite more people because there was no commuting or travel to different offices. We did work hard to keep the same energy up that you might experience with in-person ideation sessions.

Get leadership buy-in

Taking action is an important part of getting buy-in from all levels of staff, especially your C-level. By staying transparent with them, they will support your aims. As part of our partnership we had CEO to CEO sessions to help stay open. This helps the leadership team feed down into the team, with appropriate support. At the same time, we encouraged our teams to work with autonomy, giving them the tools, they need to work in their best ways and not be afraid to share ideas and proof of concepts. By working with an agile growth mentality we can avoid process delays to innovation, and subsequent adoption.

Openness between partners drives sustainability

During our 18-month partnership we’ve moved beyond just transaction to a real knowledge sharing, collaborative experience. This growth mindset ecosystem is spreading throughout the teams. As a result, we are starting to see how it is pushing out into the rest of the organisation. This type of partnership helps us unlock our potential, reach our goals and create empowered, excited employees. As we continue, we look forward to working together to create a more resilient community for all.

Find out more

Winds of change: how data and analytics are driving renewable power – This video was originally published on The Times

Find out about Microsoft’s collaborations to help accelerate the UK’s sustainability strategy

Create an agile and innovative workplace

About the authors

Ollie joined SSE’s graduate scheme in 2010, having retrained as a Mechanical Engineer. The change was driven by a desire to do something meaningful for society and also leave our planet better than we found it. Ollie is now supporting the Digital (ad)Ventures in SSER, with a mission to help everyone do more with Digital in our business – and keep having fun doing it.

Danielle is experienced in enabling Energy organisations to use digital technologies to achieve industry focussed outcomes. It is such a pivotal time for the industry to transform, with renewable energy, sustainability and decarbonisation being at the heart of many of her customer conversations. She’s excited and fortunate that her role at Microsoft allows her to bring together our digital solutions and net-zero aspirations to help create the future of sustainable energy.

The post How to build innovation and sustainability with partnerships and growth mindset appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.