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Google Cloud vs Microsoft: startup credits compared

Side-by-side amounts, eligibility and access paths, both verified against the official program pages.

Google CloudUp to $200,000 over 2 years (up to $350,000 for AI startups); $2,000 Start tierVerified Nov 3, 2026MicrosoftUp to $150,000 in Azure Startup creditsVerified Nov 3, 2026

At a glance

FactGoogle CloudMicrosoft
ValueUp to $200,000 over 2 years (up to $350,000 for AI startups); $2,000 Start tierUp to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits
TypeCreditsCredits
Duration2 yearsNot stated
StagesPre-seed, Seed, Series APre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+, Bootstrapped
RegionsGlobalGlobal
Max funding raisedNot statedNot stated
Max company age5 yearsNot stated
Ways to get it
  • Apply directly — Start $2,000 / Scale up to $200,000 / Scale AI up to $350,000
  • Accelerators, VCs and investors (stealth verification)
  • Apply directly — Start at $200 (no code); unlock up to $150,000 by verification and usage
  • Microsoft for Startups Investor Network (VCs, accelerators, incubators, angels) — $1,000 starter credits; higher-tier benefits, up to $150,000 in Startup credits
Requirements
  • Scale: Pre-Seed/Seed equity round within the last 5 years or Series A within the last 12 months, from institutional investors/VCs (SAFEs eligible)
  • Scale: founded within the last 5 years; Start: founded within the last 24 months
  • Not more than $5,000 in prior Google Cloud credits (Start: none beyond trial)
  • Located in a region where Google Cloud is GA and self-service purchasing is available
  • Develop a software-based product or service that your company owns
  • Privately held and for-profit
  • Headquartered in a country where Azure services are available
  • Have not received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits
  • Have not raised Series C or later funding
Not eligible
  • Companies that have IPO'd or been acquired
  • Educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits
  • Personal blogs/content, dev shops, consultancies, agencies
  • Cryptocurrency mining companies and token distributors acting contrary to regulation
  • Regulated industries and businesses outside Google's Acceptable Use Policy
  • Educational institutions and government organizations
  • Consultancies and agencies
  • Crypto-mining businesses
  • Companies that raised Series C or later
VerificationVerified· Nov 3, 2026Partially verified· Nov 3, 2026

Which should you pick?

Google Cloud offers the larger headline amount (Up to $200,000 over 2 years (up to $350,000 for AI startups); $2,000 Start tier versus Up to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits). Microsoft accepts a wider range of funding stages, while Google Cloud is more targeted. Note that only Google Cloud is fully verified against its official page; double-check the other before relying on it. If you qualify for both, there is usually no reason not to apply to both; the programs are independent.

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