About this programme
Microsoft for Startups is Microsoft's own startup program, run through Azure and the Microsoft for Startups team. It gives eligible startups cloud credit toward Azure services, access to Microsoft's AI tooling and documentation, dedicated startup guidance, and go-to-market support such as Microsoft Marketplace listing and co-sell opportunities with Microsoft's enterprise sales network.
The program has a single entry point: every startup applies through the same website and Azure account flow, and benefits scale up from there. A startup with no investor connection still gets a starter credit grant on signup and can unlock more credit over time as it shows verified progress and sustained Azure usage. A startup backed by a partner in Microsoft's Investor Network (a referral-code list of accelerators, VCs, angel networks and universities Microsoft does not publish) can unlock the higher-value investor offer earlier, which starts most startups at $100,000 in Azure credit rather than the smaller no-code starter amount.
It is a credit-and-support program, not a grant or equity investment — there is no cash payout, and Microsoft takes no equity or fees in exchange for participation.
How it works
Apply at startups.microsoft.com. Applicants with a 10-character investor referral code go through a fuller application (contact and business information, email and phone verification); applicants without one go straight to Azure account creation and land on a "Build your startup" dashboard.
Every applicant must set up an Azure account as part of onboarding, which unlocks $200 in starter Azure credit immediately — this happens before Microsoft finishes reviewing the fuller application.
Microsoft reviews the application, typically within three business days, and emails a decision. Approved startups then unlock the expanded Startup credit package — up to $150,000 over time as the startup demonstrates verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage; investor-backed startups can unlock higher amounts, starting most around $100,000.
Azure credit must be activated within 90 days of accepting the program agreement, or the offer expires and the startup must reapply. Once activated, credit is valid for up to two years with no extensions, and it cannot be transferred to a different Microsoft account or subscription — it is tied to the account and subscription used at redemption.
Once credit is exhausted, the Azure subscription automatically converts to pay-as-you-go billing so services keep running; there is no upfront commitment and the subscription can be cancelled at any time.
Investor-offer startups also get Azure Standard Support, access to Microsoft technical experts, go-to-market support, and discounts or free tiers of GitHub Enterprise, LinkedIn Premium Business, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Visual Studio Enterprise, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.
Who can apply
The company must develop a software-based product or service that it owns, be privately held and for-profit (not a subsidiary of a larger organisation), and be headquartered in a country where Azure services and the Microsoft for Startups program operate.
Funding stage runs pre-seed through Series C — the company must not have raised Series C funding or later. It must also not have already received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits from any Microsoft program.
The program targets B2B startups building software, AI or technology solutions that are working toward, or already at, an MVP with product-market fit as the goal.
Excluded categories: educational institutions, government organisations, consultancies, agencies, and any business involved in cryptocurrency mining.
A personal (not work/school/company-domain) Microsoft account is required to apply and to activate benefits — an Entra ID work or school account will cause activation errors.
How to apply
- Gather before applying: a personal Microsoft account with no prior Azure account on it, a phone number, your time zone, your registered legal startup name, primary industry, website (if any), business address, and payment information. If you have one, have your 10-character investor referral code ready.
- Go to microsoft.com/en-us/startups and select "Get started now".
- Sign in (or create) a personal consumer Microsoft account — work/school/company-domain emails are rejected at this step.
- On the application page, either enter your investor referral code and select Next, or select "Continue without a code".
- With a code: enter contact email, phone and time zone; verify the email via a code sent to it (expires in 10 minutes); verify the phone via SMS code; then complete the business information form (registered startup name matching legal documents, primary industry, website, registered business address) and submit.
- Without a code: you land on a "Build your startup" preview dashboard showing an "Unlock $200 in Azure credits" prompt and go straight to Azure account creation.
- Complete the 3-step Azure account setup common to both paths: profile information (country/region, name, email, phone, human verification), address information plus consent checkboxes (Microsoft Customer Agreement and Supplemental Individual User Terms), and payment information (card details). Country/region cannot be changed later.
- On completion you land on the Build Your Startup dashboard with $200 in Azure credit already unlocked (can take up to 24 hours to fully reflect). Microsoft reviews the fuller application within about three business days and emails the decision; approved startups then unlock the expanded credit package.
Documents you’ll typically need
- A personal Microsoft account (new, with no prior Azure account tied to it)
- Registered legal startup name (must match your legal/registration documents)
- Business address and website (if available)
- Phone number, for SMS verification
- Payment card details, required for Azure account identity verification and the pay-as-you-go transition once credits run out
- Investor referral code (10 characters), if applying through a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner
Frequently asked
Do we need to be backed by an investor to join?
No. Microsoft for Startups does not require investor backing to sign up and access benefits — any eligible startup can apply directly and receive starter Azure credit. Investor-backed startups (via a referral code from a participating accelerator, VC, angel network or university) can unlock the higher-value investor offer, which starts most startups around $100,000 in credit rather than the smaller no-code starter grant.
How much Azure credit can we actually get?
Every approved applicant starts with $200 in Azure credit from account setup. Beyond that, startups can unlock up to $150,000 in Startup credit over time as they show verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage; investor-backed startups may unlock additional credit, expanded support and third-party benefits, often starting near $100,000.
How long does the application take to review?
Most applications are reviewed within about three business days, longer if Microsoft needs to verify information. You'll be notified by email at the address used to apply, and you can start building with your $200 starter credit while the review is in progress.
What disqualifies a startup from applying?
A startup is not eligible if it has raised Series C funding or later, has already received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits from Microsoft, is an educational institution, government body, consultancy or agency, is involved in cryptocurrency mining, or is not privately held and for-profit (e.g. a subsidiary of a larger company).
Can we edit or resubmit our application?
A submitted application can't be edited. If it's still pending, you can follow the confirmation email to delete and reapply. If it's declined, you may reapply after 14 days, ideally after addressing the feedback given during review.
What happens once the Azure credit runs out?
The Azure subscription automatically converts to pay-as-you-go billing so your services keep running without interruption — you only pay for what you use beyond the credit, with no upfront commitment, and you can cancel the subscription at any time.
Can we transfer our credits to a different Microsoft account later?
No. Microsoft for Startups Azure credits are permanently tied to the Microsoft account and Azure subscription created during redemption and cannot be transferred to another account. Redeem using the account and subscription you intend to use long term.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.