The Birth of Microsoft Research

Vision, innovation and the power of persistence

In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, hosts Becky Monk and Larry Hryb share stories from tech pioneers Rick Rashid, Dennis Adler, and Dan Fay as they explore the untold story behind the founding and evolution of Microsoft Research. From Bill Gates’ bold vision to Rick Rashid’s reluctant yet transformative leadership, discover how a small software company dared to invest in fundamental research—and changed the future of technology. Hear firsthand accounts of groundbreaking innovations, global expansion, and the “Impossible Things” initiative that helped shape today’s AI and cloud computing landscape.