As entrepreneurs and startup founders work increasingly with technology to streamline their operations, news of practical tools being retired hits differently. In August 2025, Microsoft announced the planned discontinuation of one of its most popular apps: Microsoft Lens, the mobile scanning app that turned documents, receipts, whiteboards, and more into editable, shareable files. While the move reflects the ongoing dominance of AI solutions in 2025, it has left many wondering how startups can adapt and avoid common pitfalls in this rapidly changing tech landscape.
What Happened: Microsoft Lens Is Being Replaced
Microsoft officially declared that its Microsoft Lens app will be discontinued, effective September 15, 2025. This announcement marks the beginning of a phase-out process that will involve its removal from app stores by November 15, and its functional capabilities shutting down completely by December 15. The company has recommended users transition to their contemporary Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant, which is set to incorporate document scanning features alongside its AI-powered tools for workplace collaboration.
The problem? While Copilot claims improvements via predictive modeling and AI-driven insights, it currently lacks some of Lens's best-loved features, such as saving directly to apps like OneNote or seamlessly digitizing business cards. For startups and solo entrepreneurs who loved Lens for its simplicity, this move poses a challenge.
Why Startups Should Care
Whether you're running lean operations as a solopreneur or managing a small team, access to intuitive, free, and efficient tools like Microsoft Lens has always been a game-changer. Data shows that tools like Lens enable 60% of entrepreneurs to achieve faster document workflows, which is crucial for client onboarding, pitching, or compliance tasks.
The shift towards AI-powered apps isn't inherently bad, it aids in scaling productivity, but there’s a glaring trend of simple tools being absorbed into sprawling, subscription-based ecosystems. Startups, on tight budgets, may have to navigate feature gaps or decide whether paying for new AI-integrated tools is feasible.
Steps Startup Founders Should Take to Adapt
1. List the Features You Depend On
Before Microsoft Lens disappears, identify the exact features you rely on. Do you use it for scanning documents into editable PDFs, saving to specific platforms, or syncing whiteboard notes? Tools that suit your needs still exist if you act early.
2. Test Copilot Before You’re Forced to Switch
Microsoft is pushing users toward Microsoft 365 Copilot, but startups report that the early version lacks Lens’s simplicity. You can explore alternatives like Adobe Scan, or, for entrepreneurs looking to multitask, consider solutions like Fe/male Switch’s PlayPal AI co-founder, designed to assist with both general tasks and productivity management.
3. Streamline AI Implementation
If you're hesitant to invest in AI tools like Copilot right away, it’s wise to experiment with other AI-driven platforms at no cost to see how they fit. For instance, try the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer. This tool, exclusively for startups, identifies the most suitable EU grants for your business and drafts professional application templates, integrating seamlessly into your funding workflow.
The Right Tools for Startups: Top Picks in 2025
1. PlayPal, Your AI Friend
Developed by Fe/male Switch, PlayPal is much more than a scanner replacement. She’s your personal AI co-founder who supports your unique startup needs. From practicing foreign languages to managing customer relationships and more, PlayPal grows with your business.
Alternatively, entrepreneurs who focus on finances may utilize AI Startup Lawyer. It helps founders navigate legal documents like CLAs, term sheets, and agreements, providing automated feedback and improving negotiation readiness. Learn about tricky clauses in minutes, without hiring a lawyer.
2. Evernote Scannable
If you’re replacing Lens solely for document-related tasks, Evernote Scannable is a free alternative compatible with iOS devices. For Android users, Google Drive’s Scan Feature remains reliable.
Most Common Mistakes When Replacing Tools
1. Leaving It Too Late
Entrepreneurs often fail to start replacing tools until the functionality is already broken. Pro Tip: Before August 2025, download a suite of apps and test one weekly for a seamless transition.
2. Ignoring Privacy Implications
Be cautious when replacing tools with AI capabilities. For instance, Microsoft Lens operates offline, ensuring that sensitive startup data doesn’t leak. Verify that alternatives, like Copilot, have GDPR compliance features.
3. Overlooking Continuity Across Devices
Hybrid teams and freelancers often overlook whether tools sync seamlessly across laptops and mobile platforms. Apps like Fe/male Switch, with browser-based solutions integrating directly into the startup ecosystem, reduce such risks.
Deep Insights: A Lesson in Resilient Entrepreneurship
The ongoing evolution from single-purpose apps like Microsoft Lens to all-encompassing AI productivity platforms like Copilot mirrors the broader business trends startups must learn to handle: adapt or perish. Entrepreneurs who succeed do so by:
- Investing in Resilient Toolkits: No matter the hype, every new tech trend requires practicality. Balance AI innovation with simplicity.
- Validating Startup Ideas Quickly: Tools like the F/MS Startup Sandbox combine gamified learning with AI systems to help entrepreneurs validate problems, ideate solutions, and refine product-market fit.
- Optimizing for Learning by Doing: Founders like Violetta Bonenkamp, creator of PlayPal, emphasize interconnected disciplines, merging AI, strategy, and real-world learning for practical problem-solving.
Conclusion
For every app phased out, new opportunities emerge to refocus on the tools and entrepreneurial strategies that drive meaningful impact. Microsoft Lens’s departure is a pivotal reminder to startup founders to stay proactive and adaptive. To prepare for future AI-driven tech shifts, explore options like PlayPal for personalized productivity or the F/MS EU Funding Tool to unlock your startup’s potential at every phase.
Entrepreneurship thrives on resilience, and a great toolkit. Instead of mourning Microsoft Lens, view its replacement as a stepping stone to smarter, sync-friendly business processes.
For more insights into building startups in today’s evolving tech ecosystem, explore resources like funding insights, AI-driven tools, and practical startup guides at Fe/male Switch.
FAQ
1. Why is Microsoft discontinuing Microsoft Lens?
Microsoft is discontinuing Lens to consolidate its features into the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot app, reflecting a shift toward multi-purpose AI platforms. Learn more about Microsoft 365 Copilot
2. When will Microsoft Lens cease to function?
Microsoft Lens will stop functioning entirely on December 15, 2025, following its removal from app stores by November 15, 2025, and the start of its phase-out on September 15, 2025.
3. Will Microsoft 365 Copilot have all Microsoft Lens features?
No, Microsoft 365 Copilot currently lacks some Microsoft Lens features, such as saving scans directly to apps like OneNote and converting business cards into digitized contacts. Check out this feature comparison
4. What alternatives exist for Microsoft Lens?
Alternatives to Microsoft Lens include Adobe Scan for PDFs, Evernote Scannable for document management, and Google Drive Scan for cloud storage users. Explore Adobe Scan | Discover Evernote Scannable | Check out Google Drive Scan
5. How can startups adapt to losing Microsoft Lens?
Startups can list the critical features they relied on in Microsoft Lens, test both Copilot and competing tools like PlayPal, and integrate alternative apps into daily workflows. Learn more about PlayPal
6. Is Microsoft 365 Copilot more expensive than Microsoft Lens?
Yes, while Microsoft Lens was free, Microsoft 365 Copilot requires a subscription, making it less budget-friendly for startups with limited resources. Learn more about pricing
7. What are the privacy concerns of replacing Microsoft Lens with AI tools?
Unlike Microsoft Lens, which operates offline, AI tools like Copilot process data online. It's important to ensure GDPR compliance and other security guarantees. Read about Copilot’s data privacy
8. How do I ensure a seamless transition if I use Microsoft Lens daily?
Download and test multiple alternative apps before Microsoft Lens's retirement. Tools like Google Drive Scan and Adobe Scan can replicate many of Lens’s essential functions. Check out Google Drive Scan
9. Are there AI-powered tools tailored exclusively for startups?
Yes, tools like the F/MS Grant Finder identify the best funding opportunities for startups, and PlayPal acts as an AI co-founder designed for agile productivity. Discover F/MS Grant Finder | Learn more about PlayPal
10. Can I still access my old scans from Microsoft Lens?
Yes, you can access scans stored locally within the app or exported to OneNote, Word, or other platforms, even after the app stops functioning on December 15, 2025.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
