Microsoft for Startups, the programme once branded Founders Hub, gives early-stage software companies Azure credits, access to AI models through Microsoft Foundry, and go-to-market help. The structure has changed: new members now get $200 in Azure credits on day one, and can receive up to $150,000 over time as their startup grows. We checked Microsoft’s official programme documentation on 1 November 2026.
What you get
Everyone joins through the same front door, and the credit amount depends on whether you have an investor referral code and how your startup progresses.
| Route | Starter credits | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| No referral code | $200, available right after account setup | Up to $150,000 over time |
| Investor Network referral code | $1,000 | Up to $150,000, and up to $200,000 for eligible investor-backed startups |
Microsoft ties the increases to verified progress, adoption of Azure services and sustained Azure usage. It does not publish a fixed ladder of amounts or dates, so treat anything above the starter credits as possible, not promised.
Beyond credits, members get:
- Azure AI capabilities, including models available through Microsoft Foundry.
- Azure services for building, testing and deploying apps.
- Startup-focused technical resources and guidance. Startups backed by the Investor Network can also reach technical enablement teams for architecture and go-to-market planning.
- Access to Microsoft Marketplace and co-sell opportunities.
- Program support around the clock through the Azure portal, in English.
What the credits cover
Credits apply to eligible Azure services billed as standard consumption on your sponsored subscription. That includes compute, containers, databases, storage, networking, security and monitoring services. Azure Kubernetes Service usage on the sponsored subscription is covered automatically.
Some things need setup or are excluded:
- GitHub: Copilot, Codespaces and Actions can draw on credits only after you connect your Azure subscription as a payment method in GitHub.
- AI models: models sold directly by Azure are covered. Third-party models, including Anthropic’s, and Marketplace partner models are not. Fireworks models on Foundry are covered because Azure sells them.
- Other exclusions: non-Azure products, Microsoft support plans and Azure Marketplace purchases may not be covered.
When credits are used up or expire, the Azure Sponsorship subscription switches to pay-as-you-go on the card you added. Microsoft’s public guides do not state a single validity period for the current credit structure, so check the expiry shown in the Azure portal once your credits arrive.
Who qualifies
Microsoft’s application guide lists these conditions. Your company must:
- Build a software product or service that it owns.
- Be privately held and for-profit.
- Be headquartered in a country where Azure is available.
- Not have received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits.
- Not have raised Series C or later.
- Not be an educational institution, government organisation, consultancy or agency.
- Not be involved in cryptocurrency mining.
Microsoft does not publish its list of Investor Network partners. If you have backers, ask them directly whether they can give you a 10-character referral code.
How to apply
- Go to startups.microsoft.com and select Get started.
- Sign in with a personal Microsoft account. Work, school and company-domain addresses are not accepted at this step, and the account should have no prior Azure account.
- Enter an Investor Network referral code if you have one, or choose to continue without a code.
- Without a code, verify your identity with your personal LinkedIn profile. With a code, verify your email and phone, then enter your registered business name, industry, website and address.
- Create your Azure account: profile, billing address and a payment card. Your starter credits appear once this is done, though the balance can take up to 24 hours to update.
Microsoft says it reviews applications within three business days and emails its decision.
Things to check before you apply
- Use a personal Microsoft account. The sign-up rejects company-domain email for the account itself, which surprises many founders.
- Match your legal details. With a referral code, the business name and address must match your legal documents, or verification can fail and delay approval.
- Country is permanent. You cannot change the country or region on the Azure account later, and it must match your billing address.
- A card is required. Usage beyond your credits is charged to it once the sponsorship ends.
- Expect gradual credits. The headline $150,000 is a ceiling reached over time, not an upfront grant.
- Set budgets early. Microsoft itself recommends Azure budget alerts at 50%, 80% and 100% of expected credit burn.
How it compares
The self-serve entry amount is now small compared with the older Founders Hub offer, so the Investor Network route matters more than before. If you are backed by a VC or accelerator, ask for a referral code before you apply. Students have a separate Azure for Students offer outside this programme.
