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About AI For Good

The AI for Good Acceleration Program helps purpose-driven ventures in Israel advance their AI solutions to create positive social transformation. For the fourth year running, Microsoft for Startups Israel and TechForGood will be selecting a cohort of startups committed to a social mission to join this 9-weeks program.

In April 2023, your startup will benefit from the resources, advice, and one-to-one support you need to help scale your AI venture with Microsoft, TechForGood, along with Startup Nation Central and other key partners. Our expert-led curriculum covers everything from technical guidance to business development and marketing, packed with workshops, seminars, and tightly focused modules on topics including AI and social impact frameworks.

The AI for Good acceleration program is an award-winning program, based on the foundations of the Microsoft Accelerator operating for more than a decade, with hundreds of startups in our alumni network.

Applicants and graduates of the program will be able to apply to Microsoft Social Entrepreneurship program, which supports social impact startups with technology, connections and grants so you can focus on bringing your big vision to life and making the world a better place. In addition, startups will be exposed to the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, Microsoft Corporate Social Responsibility and Microsoft AI for Earth initiative and more. We’re excited to welcome our community of startups that are harnessing the power of AI to transform the world for the good.

We support social impact startups like yours with technology, education, connections, and grants, so you can focus on what you do best: bring your vision of making the world a better place to live.

This year, we’re looking to support startups like yours with innovative technology so you can focus on what you do best: bring your vision of making the world a better place to live.

You’re working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. We have a program designed to help.

No one can create a more sustainable world alone. Solving global, social, and environmental challenges requires synergy between the right technology, partners, and resources. When startups work together with investors, enterprises, governments, nonprofits, and communities, amazing things can happen.

This year we are focusing on meaningful, measurable sustainability solutions in the areas of:

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Climate

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Agriculture / FoodTech

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Biodiversity

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Water

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Green Energy & Carbon

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Sustainability Supply Chain

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Curriculum

The AI for Good program is designed by Microsoft, Microsoft for Startups and TechForGood to give impact-generating startups the holistic commercial, technical, and impact support they need to succeed. The program will run in-person under the guidance of the ministry of health. The AI for Good curriculum covers three streams:

  • Business Development - Fundraising, business model, go to market strategy, commercial strategy, international growth, partnerships and much more
  • AI and Tech - AI fundamentals such as AI ethical principles, cognitive services essentials and machine learning deep dives.
  • Impact - Mission statement, impact measurement, embedding intentionality into the DNA of the startup, impact investment readiness.

Program Graduates

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Our startup’s journey only begins after completing the AI for Good acceleration program. Following the Demo Day, Microsoft for Startups and Tech for Good continue to support our alumni as they join the graduates of our previous batches. Beyond the in-program curriculum, tools and mentorship, we’ve built comprehensive set of resources to support our alumni. Access to Microsoft Philanthropy, MS Global Social Entrepreneurship Program, opening sales channels and access to our alumni network are only a partial list our graduates benefit from. Here are the previous batch members and their stories:

For a detailed view of our Graduates Booklet click here

FAQ

What is the cohort timeline?
April 2023 – June 2023
What is the location of the cohort?
Microsoft for Startups – Menachem Begin 144, Tel Aviv (Floor #50)
What are the aims of AI for Good?
The aims of the program are to:
  • Give purpose-driven ventures the commercial, technical, and social impact support they need to create the future they want to see.
  • Make an impact in environmental sustainability by taking AI solutions in these areas to the next level, advancing and embedding the use of ethical and human design principles in their design.
  • Help participants build a repeatable and scalable business enabling a successful, scalable model to their identified target markets.
  • Create a platform for AI for Good leadership.
Who is eligible to apply?
Impact-driven tech ventures with a demonstrable impact
  • You passed the MVP stage or already working with design partners on an existing product or service.
  • You are a registered B2B/B2B2C/B2G company, less than 7 years old.
  • You have a clear view of how AI will accelerate your product and ready to build AI during the program.
  • You must have an in-house tech lead who is committed to participating for the full duration of the program.
What are the stages of selection, and the timings for selection process (when will I be notified etc.)?
Impact-driven tech ventures with a demonstrable social impact
  • The Application process will open on March 1st and close on April 9th.
  • The short-list of selected startups will be notified by April 14th.
  • The shortlisted applicants will then be invited to pitch virtually to a selection panel between April 20th – 21st, 2023
  • Final decision on the successful applicants will be made on or just after the 22nd of April 2023
What are the benefits?
  • Be part of a ~3 months dynamic program with a custom-made approach for your venture and an incredible peer community
  • Non-Equity program, with $350K of benefits including cloud services credits, access to mentors, GTM support, GitHub licenses, O365 and more
  • Get advice from experts on AI, Technology, commercial development and social impact to take your AI for Social Impact solution / service to the next level
  • Workshops and 1:1 coaching from Microsoft for Startups and Tech for Good, and an incredible network of advisors to help you meet your key milestones
  • Access to Microsoft for Startups and Tech for Good online events to network with the tech community
  • Support to explore post-accelerator funding and investment options, and join the Tech for Good portfolio and gain access to an incredible network of leading social tech ventures and advisors
  • Access to organizations such as LinkedIn, GitHub, EU, USAID and more.
What is the program structure?
The Microsoft AI for Social Impact Cohort is a ~3-month program which is delivered remotely. It aims to provide you with access to a variety of events, workshops and other supporting benefits and services designed to help you develop your business from a social impact, technical & business perspective.
What happens after the program?
All organizations will remain part of the Microsoft for Startups community to continue the technical and sales enablement development. The alumni will also join Tech for Good portfolio where they'll receive ongoing support from the team and have access to a network of Tech For Good alumni.
Where do we go for more questions?
Any information on last year's cohort?

AI For Good Partners

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Start-Up Nation Central connects Israeli innovation to the world to help international entities solve global challenges. Inspired by the book Start-Up Nation and immersed in the Israeli technology ecosystem, we provide a platform that nurtures business growth and generates partnerships to strengthen Israel’s economy and society.

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TechForGood harnesses the talent and creativity of the Startup Nation’s tech entrepreneurs to develop Innovative, scalable solutions to global environmental challenges. TechForGood works international players by building cross-sector alliances around SDG-related issues. Through these alliances TechForGood bridges between the need-knowers and those who can develop the solutions.

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Pearl Cohen is an international, full-service law firm with 6 offices around the globe: New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, Haifa and London. With decades of experience, Pearl Cohen supports startups on their legal needs – both in Israel and in the US, as well as on all and patent needs (being a patent firm in addition to a law firm). Pearl Cohen will help you scale to the next stage, prepare your company for investment, structure your strategic and customer deals, protect your IP and comply with privacy, tax, labor and other regulations which apply to your business and product.

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ESOP-EXCELLENCE provides Trust and Administration services to Options according to the Israeli Law (Section 102) and serves companies from the pre seed stages. Allocation of options is an important issue that should be treated seriously as it involves, along with taxes and equity that requires understanding and planning in advance supported by specialists. We invite your companies to learn how to manage company’s equity and all the secrets and myths around it.

For Partnership requests or media inquires, please drop us a line: ai4goodIL@microsoft.com
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