Startup Deal Overview
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Microsoft for Startups gives eligible software startups access to Azure infrastructure, AI capabilities through Microsoft Foundry, technical resources, and Microsoft Marketplace and co-sell opportunities. The current standard program allows startups to begin with $200 in Startup credits and potentially unlock $5,000, $25,000, $50,000, and up to $150,000 as they verify their business and demonstrate sustained Azure adoption.
The current credit milestones are:
- $200 — create the Azure account and complete identity verification using a personal LinkedIn account.
- $5,000 — complete business verification and confirm the startup is a registered legal entity.
- $25,000 — maintain at least 5 qualifying Azure workloads for approximately 60 continuous days.
- $50,000 — maintain at least 7 qualifying Azure workloads for approximately 60 continuous days.
- $150,000 — maintain at least 10 Azure workloads and approximately $3,000/month in Azure usage for roughly 60 continuous days. Each qualifying workload must maintain at least $1 in spend during the applicable 60-day period. Higher tiers are evaluated automatically and do not require separate applications.
Startup credits can be used across eligible Azure services, including qualifying AI models sold and billed directly by Azure through Microsoft Foundry. Third-party-provider models, partner services, and models billed through Azure Marketplace are excluded from sponsorship-credit coverage.
How to Claim this Deal
- 1Visit the Microsoft for Startups portal and choose Get started .
- 2Sign in using a personal consumer Microsoft account . Microsoft explicitly states that work, school, and company-domain accounts are not accepted during the signup step.
- 3Enter an Investor Network referral code if you have one, or select Continue without a code . A referral code is optional for the standard startup path.
- 4Create the Azure account and provide your profile, billing address, phone details, and payment card.
- 5Complete identity verification, including a personal LinkedIn account , to unlock the initial $200 credit milestone.
- 6Complete business verification to unlock the $5,000 milestone. Microsoft requires confirmation that the startup is a registered legal entity at this stage.
- 7Continue building on Azure. Microsoft automatically evaluates workload adoption and sustained usage to determine eligibility for the $25K, $50K, and $150K milestones.
Key Benefits
- Credit / Grant Tier: $200 → $5,000 → $25,000 → $50,000 → up to $150,000, based on identity/business verification, Azure workload adoption, and sustained usage.
- Included Features: Eligible Azure compute, databases, storage, hosting, AI/ML services, and qualifying Microsoft Foundry models billed directly by Azure.
- Support & Perks: Startup-focused technical resources, guidance, Microsoft Marketplace access, and potential co-sell opportunities.
- Investor Network Benefits: Eligible startups backed by a Microsoft Investor Network VC, accelerator, incubator, or university may unlock expanded support and benefits including Azure Standard Support, technical guidance, GitHub Enterprise for up to 20 users, Microsoft 365 Business Premium for up to 50 seats, and other product/GTM benefits. These should not be treated as universal benefits of the standard offer.
Eligibility & Requirements
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About Microsoft
Microsoft provides cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, developer tools, productivity software, and business platforms. Azure offers compute, databases, storage, networking, application hosting, and AI services. Microsoft for Startups combines Azure technology with startup-focused technical guidance and opportunities to reach enterprise customers through Microsoft Marketplace and co-sell programs.
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