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Microsoft for Startups investor offer

Microsoft·United States

The $100,000-$150,000 Azure credit tier, unlocked only by a referral code from a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner.

What you get

$100,000–$150,000Credits

The investor offer includes Azure credits (most startups begin with $100,000, with the opportunity to earn more); program headline is "up to $150,000 in credits"

Credits valid for2 years, then they lapse
Time to decisionwithin 3 days

Can you apply

VC backingNot required
Referral or partnerRequired
Registered companyRequired
IndividualsNot eligible
Open sourcenot stated
Latest stage acceptedseries b
CountriesOpen worldwide
Before you applyA referral code from a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner, entered during the application. A credit card is required for identity verification.

The investor offer requires a referral code to verify affiliation with a participating investor, accelerator, incubator, angel network, university, or similar organization. Ask your affiliated organization for its code. To be eligible for Microsoft for Startups, your company must meet the following criteria: Develop a software-based product or service that is owned by your company; Be privately held and for-profit; Be headquartered in a country where Azure services are available; Not have received more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits; Not have raised Series C funding or later.

When

Always open, applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

What Microsoft funds

Microsoft for Startups gives privately held, pre-Series C software startups Azure credits plus AI tooling and go-to-market support. Everyone applies through the same door, but the credit ceiling jumps by roughly 20x when the application carries a referral code from a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner.

Everything Microsoft funds →

Details

The investor offer includes Azure credits (most startups begin with $100,000, with the opportunity to earn more), Azure Standard Support, access to technical experts, go-to-market support, and discounts or free offers. Credits must be activated within 90 days of accepting the program agreement; once activated they are valid for up to two years and extensions are not available.

Apply on Microsoft