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Microsoft for Startups

Up to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits, unlocked in levels; investor-network referral code opens higher tiers.

Partially verifiedLast verified Nov 3, 2026Official source

Worth

Up to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits

Per Microsoft Learn: $200 starter credits without an investor code, $1,000 with a referral code, then up to $150,000 unlocked over time via verification, service adoption and sustained Azure usage. Intermediate level amounts ($5,000/$25,000) and workload thresholds are no longer stated on Learn.

Quick facts

Value
Up to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits
Type
Credits
Duration
Not stated
Stages
Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+, Bootstrapped
Regions
Global
Max funding raised
Not stated
Max company age
Not stated
Last verified
Nov 3, 2026 · Partially verified

Ways to get it

  1. Apply directly

    Apply directly

    Start at $200 (no code); unlock up to $150,000 by verification and usage

    • Software-based product or service your company owns
    • Privately held, for-profit, pre-Series C; HQ in a country where Azure is available
    • Not more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits

    Click 'Get started now' on the program page and sign in with a Microsoft account.

    Open program page

  2. Via Microsoft for Startups Investor Network (VCs, accelerators, incubators, angels)

    Via VC or accelerator partner

    $1,000 starter credits; higher-tier benefits, up to $150,000 in Startup credits

    • 10-character referral code requested from your investor before applying

    Microsoft Learn says Investor Network-backed startups may unlock higher-value benefits earlier; Microsoft does not publicly list participating investors or per-tier amounts.

    Open program page

Eligibility

Requirements

  • 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

  • Educational institutions and government organizations
  • Consultancies and agencies
  • Crypto-mining businesses
  • Companies that raised Series C or later

How to apply

  1. 1

    If you are backed by an Investor Network member, request your 10-character referral code from the investor first (Microsoft does not publish the investor list).

  2. 2

    Go to microsoft.com/en-us/startups and click 'Get started now'; sign in with a Microsoft account (no prior Azure account) tied to your company email.

  3. 3

    Enter the referral code if you have one, or choose 'Continue without a code'; complete the application if prompted and accept the program agreement.

  4. 4

    Complete the three-step Azure account creation to receive your starter credits ($200 without a code, $1,000 with one); decisions are typically sent within three business days.

  5. 5

    As you complete business verification and build on Azure, more Startup credits (up to $150,000) can unlock.

Gotchas

  • Without an investor referral you start at $200; the up-to-$150,000 figure is unlocked over time based on verification, service adoption and sustained Azure usage, not granted up front.
  • Microsoft no longer publishes intermediate level amounts or workload thresholds on Learn, so plan on the starter amount.
  • Lifetime cap: startups that already received more than $350,000 in free Azure credits are ineligible.
  • Series C and later companies are excluded.
  • Your Azure subscription converts to pay-as-you-go once credits are used or expire; non-Azure products, Microsoft Support Plans and Marketplace purchases might not be covered.

About the Microsoft program

Microsoft for Startups is Microsoft's official startup program (the successor to Founders Hub). The main program page states startups get access to AI models, developer tools and up to $150,000 in Startup credits, usable across eligible Azure services including Microsoft Foundry AI models, compute, storage and security.

Per Microsoft Learn's program documentation (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/startups, read directly), every startup joins by applying through the website. Without an investor referral code you go straight to Azure account creation and receive $200 in starter credits. With a 10-character referral code from a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner you receive $1,000 in starter credits while your application is reviewed, typically within three business days. After approval, startups can unlock up to $150,000 in Startup credits over time as they demonstrate verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage; Investor Network-backed startups may unlock higher-value benefits earlier.

Eligibility (Microsoft Learn): you develop a software-based product or service your company owns, are privately held and for-profit, are headquartered in a country where Azure is available, have not received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits and have not raised Series C or later. Educational institutions, government organizations, consultancies, agencies and crypto-mining businesses are excluded. Your Azure Sponsorship subscription converts to pay-as-you-go once credits are used up or expire.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get $150,000 immediately?

No. $150,000 is the maximum. Per Microsoft Learn, you start with $200 (or $1,000 with an investor referral code) and can unlock up to $150,000 over time as you demonstrate verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage.

Is Microsoft for Startups the same as Founders Hub?

Microsoft now brands the program simply 'Microsoft for Startups'. The current page and documentation no longer use the Founders Hub name; the credit ladder and investor referral path are the current structure.

Can bootstrapped startups apply?

Yes. No investor is required: you apply without a code and start with $200 in starter credits. Higher credit levels depend on business verification, Azure usage or an Investor Network referral.

Compare

Verification. Checked by our automated checker on Nov 3, 2026 against https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/startups. Status: partially verified.

Read directly: microsoft.com/en-us/startups (+ /ai, /investors) and learn.microsoft.com/en-us/startups/microsoft-for-startups/overview and /application ($200 starter without code, $1,000 with code, up to $150,000 unlocked over time, eligibility incl. $350k lifetime cap, 3-business-day review). Previous $5,000/$25,000 ladder, 10-workload/$3,000-per-month thresholds, 90-day activation and 2-year window are not on Learn today and were removed. Investor-network tier amounts are not published.