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Overview of the Microsoft for Startups application process | Microsoft Learn
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How to Apply to Microsoft for Startups
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In this article
Overview
Eligibility Criteria
Before You Apply
Step 1: Visit the Microsoft for Startups Page
Step 2: Sign In with Your Microsoft Account
Step 3: Investor referral code (optional)
Applying With an Investor Referral Code
Applying without an investor referral code
Setting Up Your Azure Account
What Happens Next
Need Help?
Show 7 more
Overview
Microsoft for Startups is a program built to help early-stage startups build, launch, and scale on Azure. This guide walks you through how to apply, including:
Eligibility criteria for the program
What you need before you start your application
How to apply with or without an investor referral code
What happens after you submit your application
Eligibility Criteria
Microsoft for Startups is designed for early-stage, B2B startups that meet the following criteria:
Stage:
Pre-seed through Series C funding
Business model:
B2B startups building software, AI, or technology solutions
Product readiness:
Working toward or already at MVP, with the goal of moving toward product-market fit
Privately held:
Independent companies (not subsidiaries of larger organizations)
Compliance:
Headquartered in a region where Microsoft for Startups operates
Tip
If you're working with an investor, accelerator, or venture capitalist (VC) in Microsoft's Investor Network, you might be eligible for higher-tier benefits, including up to $150,000 in Azure credits. Ask your investor for a 10-character referral code before you apply.
Before You Apply
To make the application process as smooth as possible, gather the following information before you begin:
Valid personal Microsoft account with no prior Azure account
Phone number
Time zone (Microsoft uses your time zone to connect you with support in your region)
Registered startup name (must match your legal documents)
Primary industry your startup serves
Website (if available)
Address information
Payment information
Optional
Investor referral code (10 characters, provided by your investor, accelerator, or VC if they are in Microsoft's Investor Network)
Step 1: Visit the Microsoft for Startups Page
Navigate to the
Microsoft for Startups landing page
. From here, click
"Get started now"
to begin the application process.
Step 2: Sign In with Your Microsoft Account
You're redirected to the Microsoft sign-in page. Enter a personal consumer email address associated with a Microsoft account and follow the prompts to sign in. If you don't have a Microsoft account associated with the desired email, select
Create an account
to set one up.
Warning
Use a personal consumer email address for the sign-up steps.
Work, school, and company-domain email accounts aren't accepted
(for example, connie@contoso.com).
Step 3: Investor referral code (optional)
On
Apply for Microsoft for Startups
, you're asked if you have an investor referral code.
If you have a 10-character investor referral code,
enter it in the field and select
Next
. See the following section,
Applying With an Investor Referral Code
.
If you don't have an investor referral code,
select
Continue without a code
. See the following section,
Applying Without an Investor Referral Code
.
Note
Microsoft does not publicly share the list of participating investors. To request an investor referral code, contact your accelerator or VC directly.
Applying With an Investor Referral Code
If you have a 10-character investor referral code, follow the steps below. After completing this path, you will continue to the Azure account creation steps shared by both paths.
Step 1: Enter Your Personal Information
After entering your investor code and clicking "Next," you will be prompted to enter your
preferred contact email
,
phone number
, and
time zone
. This information is used to send updates about your application and connect you with regional support.
Step 2: Verify Your Contact Email
Select
Send code
on the
Verify your contact email
modal. The system sends a verification code to your email address.
Check your email for the verification code, enter it in the
Verification code
field, and select
Verify
. The code expires in 10 minutes. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder or select
resend code
.
Step 3: Verify Your Phone Number
Next, verify your phone number. Select
Send code
on the
Verify your phone number
modal. The system sends a verification code through a text message.
Enter the verification code from your text message and click
"Verify"
. If you do not receive the code, click "Resend code" to try again.
Step 4: Enter Your Business Information
After verifying your contact information, complete the Business information form. Provide the following information:
Registered startup name (must match your legal documents)
Primary industry your startup serves
Website (if available)
Registered business address
Once complete, click
"Submit"
.
Step 5: Application Submitted
After submitting your application, you see an
Application submitted
confirmation page. Microsoft reviews your application and responds within three business days. Before you can begin building, you need to set up your Azure account.
Click
"Continue to Azure sign up"
to proceed.
Important
Both the investor code and no-code paths require setting up an Azure account before you can begin building. Continue to the
Setting Up Your Azure Account
section.
Applying without an investor referral code
If you do not have an investor referral code, you can still apply by clicking "Continue without a code" on the application page. After completing this path, you will continue to the Azure account creation steps shared by both paths.
Step 1: Land on the Build Your Startup Preview
After clicking
Continue without a code
, you land on a preview of the
Build your startup
dashboard. In the top-right corner, you see the
Unlock $200 in Azure credits
prompt. Select
Sign up
to start creating your Azure account.
Note
Without an investor code, you go directly to Azure account creation rather than completing the longer application form. You receive a set amount of Startup credits to begin building.
Setting Up Your Azure Account
Both application paths converge here. Whether you applied with or without an investor code, you must complete a 3-step Azure account creation process to receive your $200 in starter credits.
Step 1: Profile information
Enter your profile information, including:
Country/region (must match your billing address)
First and last name
Email address for important notifications
Phone number
Complete the "Let's prove you're human" verification, then click
"Next"
.
Note
You can't change your country or region selection later. If your country isn't listed, the offer isn't available in your region.
Step 2: Address information
Enter your billing address, and then review and accept the consent checkboxes:
Confirm you are the individual identified on this account and agree to the Microsoft Customer Agreement and Supplemental Individual User Terms
(Optional) Opt in to receive product news, tips, and offers
(Optional) Allow Microsoft to share your information with select partners
Click
"Next"
to continue.
Step 3: Payment information
Enter your payment information, including:
Cardholder name
Card number
Expiration month and year
CVV
Billing address
Click
"Save"
to complete account setup.
Note
Your Azure Sponsorship subscription automatically converts to pay-as-you-go once your Azure credits are fully used or expired, whichever comes first. You pay only for what you use. There's no upfront commitment, and you can
cancel your subscription
at any time.
Step 4: Land on your Build Your Startup dashboard
When you create your account, you land on the startup dashboard. You see a confirmation tip in the top-right corner:
"You've unlocked $200 in Azure credits."
Your credits are immediately available, and you can begin deploying resources right away.
Note
It can take up to 24 hours for your credit balance to fully update after account creation. When your application is approved (typically within 3 business days), you receive expanded program credits and benefits.
What Happens Next
After completing your application and Azure account setup, here is what to expect:
Application review:
Microsoft reviews your application within three business days. You receive an email notification when a decision is made.
Begin building immediately:
Use your $200 in starter credits to deploy resources, test ideas, and explore the Azure platform.
After approval:
Approved startups unlock expanded credits (up to $150,000) and the full Microsoft for Startups benefits package, including program support, tools, and exclusive offerings.
Add team members:
Invite your co-founders and teammates to collaborate on your Azure subscription. See the "How to Add a Team Member" guide for details.
Explore the portals:
Use the Azure Portal Guide and Microsoft for Startups Portal Guide to learn how to manage your account, credits, and team.
Need Help?
If you have questions or run into issues during the application process, the following resources can help:
For application questions:
Visit
aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal
for program-specific support.
For investor referral codes:
Contact your accelerator or VC directly. Microsoft does not publicly share the list of participating investors.
For Azure account or technical issues:
Submit a support request through the Azure Portal once your account is set up.
For more help, visit
aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal
.
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Last updated on
06/19/2026
In this article
Overview
Eligibility Criteria
Before You Apply
Step 1: Visit the Microsoft for Startups Page
Step 2: Sign In with Your Microsoft Account
Step 3: Investor referral code (optional)
Applying With an Investor Referral Code
Applying without an investor referral code
Setting Up Your Azure Account
What Happens Next
Need Help?
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