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When most people think of Microsoft, they think of products—Windows, Azure, Office. But for some of us, Microsoft has become something far greater: a foundation for growth, a partner, and a constant force behind bold, world-changing visions.

Just ask Zülal Tannur, the 23-year-old founder behind From Your Eyes and NeuroVision AI Tech Inc., and the 2025 EMEA Winner of the Microsoft Women Power Awards.

An award typically granted to women with 15+ years of executive leadership, this recognition breaks tradition—and reflects something much more powerful than experience alone. It highlights what happens when fearless student innovators are met with intentional support, deep mentorship, and global belief in their ideas.

Zülal’s Microsoft Journey:

• At 18: Named one of Microsoft’s youngest global tech leaders.


• At 21: Founded FROM YOUR EYES, a company dedicated to redefining accessibility through AI-based perception systems.


• At 22: Became the Imagine Cup World Champion, earning $100,000 in funding and a mentorship session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.


• By 23: Scaled her second company, NeuroVision AI Tech Inc., from Türkiye to Silicon Valley—powered by AI, Azure, and unstoppable vision.

Zülal’s story is more than inspiring—it’s evidence of what’s possible when Microsoft doesn’t just cheer from the sidelines but walks alongside founders as they build, scale, and redefine industries.

What Zülal and Her Teams Are Building:

• Smart Mobility: Embedding artificial vision into next-generation vehicles.


• Urban Perception Infrastructure: Designing edge-first AI systems that help cities and machines “see.”


• Federated Intelligence: Moving beyond centralized AI toward more secure, adaptable, and inclusive systems.

Their work represents the leading edge of accessibility, AI, and mobility innovation—and Microsoft has been a strategic partner every step of the way.

The Power of Real Partnership

From the Imagine Cup to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, from GitHub for Startups to one-on-one mentorship from Satya Nadella himself—Zülal’s experience reveals the depth of Microsoft’s commitment to student innovators turned startup leaders.

This isn’t just about giving students a platform. It’s about giving them:

• Capital to scale early-stage technologies


• Mentorship from global leaders who’ve built transformative companies


• Credibility through recognition and awards that open doors


• Community via programs like the Partner Network and Startups Founders Hub

Zülal says it best:

“As a blind, young, and female founder, having people truly see the vision behind what you build isn’t always easy. But Microsoft Imagine Cup saw it — and amplified it. It was our big bang: our first investment, the catalyst that took us global. From FROM YOUR EYES to founding NeuroVision AI Tech in the U.S., we’ve built a team that’s now 60% international and partnered with giants like NVIDIA. Imagine Cup didn’t just support us — it believed in what we could become.”

Her journey is proof that when student founders are met with intentional partnership—not just encouragement—they can go from early vision to global impact.

A New Definition of Leadership

Zülal leads two AI companies focused on accessibility, vision, and mobility. She also happens to be the world’s first blind Technology Ambassador.

Her story proves that innovation isn’t always born in boardrooms. Sometimes, it begins in student dorms. In hackathons. At virtual competitions. And with a relentless belief that technology should make the world more inclusive, not less.

This Is What Partnership Looks Like

As Zülal puts it:

“This isn’t about where we’ve been. It’s about where we’re going—and how far we’re willing to see.“

Microsoft didn’t just watch her journey. They invested in it. Believed in it. And became the kind of partner that doesn’t just back startups—they help build them.

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