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Activate Azure Credits

Overview

Every startup accepted into the Microsoft for Startups program receives startup credits. Once you activate your credits, you manage your Azure subscription and resources directly in the Azure portal. For more details on where credits are applicable, see Best ways to use your credits.

The details of your Azure sponsorship offer type can be found at azure.microsoft.com/pricing/offers/ms-azr-0036p/.

Azure Service Agreement & Terms can be found at azure.microsoft.com/support/legal.

Important

Due to recent program changes, your activation experience will differ depending on when you joined Microsoft for Startups. Use the guide below to determine which set of instructions applies to you.

Which activation path applies to you?

Activate through the Microsoft for Startups portal

Use these steps if you joined the program before May 29, 2026.

  1. Navigate to the Microsoft for Startups Portal and log in to your startup account.
  2. On your homepage, click Activate Azure to open the activation sidebar.
  3. Select Link Microsoft account to connect your Azure account. The Microsoft for Startups portal homepage showing the 'Activate Azure' button and the Link Microsoft account sidebar
  4. Choose the Microsoft account for your credits and click Activate to confirm. Account selection screen showing a Microsoft account being chosen and an Activate button to confirm the Azure credit sponsorship
  5. Click Complete Azure sign-up to finish setup. You will need a payment method, but you will not be charged until credits expire. Azure sign-up completion screen with a prompt to add a payment method and a 'Complete Azure sign-up' button
  6. Go to the Azure portal to manage your account, track credits, and start building with AI tools. The Azure portal dashboard with credit balance and AI tools available after successful Azure activation

Note

Credits may take up to 24 hours to appear on your account.

Activate through the Azure portal

Use these steps if you joined the program on or after May 29, 2026. Net new startups complete activation as part of the application process through the Azure portal.

Before you begin

Gather the following information before starting:

  • Personal information: Preferred contact email, phone number, and time zone (email and phone will be verified during the process).
  • Business information: Registered startup name (must match your legal documents), primary industry, website (if available), and registered business address.
  • Azure account setup: Country/region of your billing address, personal address, and payment information. Your card will not be charged unless you exceed credits and move to pay-as-you-go pricing.
  • 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 and click Get started now to begin the application process. If you do not have an investor referral code, you can also click No invite code? to learn more about applying without one.

Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account

You will be redirected to the Microsoft sign-in page. Enter your email address and follow the prompts to sign in. If you do not have a Microsoft account associated with this email, click Create an account to set one up.

Step 3: Choose your application path

On the "Apply for Microsoft for Startups" page, you will be asked whether you have an investor referral code. This is the branching point in the application process:

Note

Microsoft does not publicly share the list of participating investors. To request an investor referral code, contact your accelerator or VC directly.

Path A: 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 A1: 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 A2: Verify your contact email

Click Send code on the "Verify your contact email" modal. A verification code will be sent to your email address.

Check your email for the verification code, enter it in the Verification code field, and click Verify. The code expires in 10 minutes — if you don't see the email, check your spam folder or click Resend code.

Step A3: Verify your phone number

Next, you will be prompted to verify your phone number. Click Send code on the "Verify your phone number" modal. A verification code will be sent via 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.

Note

Both email and phone verification are required to continue. If a verification code expires before you enter it, click Resend code to receive a new one.

Step A4: Enter your business information

After verifying your contact information, complete the Business information form. You will need to provide:

  • Registered startup name (must match your legal documents)
  • Primary industry your startup serves
  • Website (if available)
  • Registered business address

Once complete, click Submit.

Step A5: Application submitted

After submitting your application, you will see an "Application submitted" confirmation page. Microsoft will review your application and respond within 3 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 Setting up your Azure account below.

Path B: 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 B1: Land on the Build your startup preview

After clicking Continue without a code, you will be taken to a preview of the "Build your startup" dashboard. Notice the Unlock $1,000 in Azure credits — Sign up prompt in the top-right corner. Click Sign up to begin creating your Azure account.

Note

Without an investor code, you go directly to Azure account creation rather than completing the longer application form. You will receive $1,000 in starter Azure credits to begin building.

Setting up your Azure account

Both application paths converge here. Whether you applied with or without an investor code, you will complete a 3-step Azure account creation process to receive your $1,000 in starter credits.

Step C1: Step 1 of 3 — 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 cannot change your country or region selection later. If your country is not listed, the offer is not available in your region.

Step C2: Step 2 of 3 — Address information

Enter your billing address: address line 1, address line 2 (optional), city, state/province, and postal code. 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 C3: Step 3 of 3 — Payment information

Enter your payment information, including:

  • Cardholder name
  • Card number
  • Expiration month and year
  • CVV
  • Billing address (will pre-populate from Step 2)

Click Save to complete account setup.

Tip

Your credit card will not be charged unless you exceed your $1,000 in credits and choose to move to pay-as-you-go pricing. Spending protection is enabled by default to prevent unexpected charges.

Step C4: Account setup in progress

After clicking Save, you will see a "Setting up your account" loading state. This typically takes a few moments to complete.

Step C5: Land on your Build your startup dashboard

Once your account is created, you will land on the "Build your startup, [Name]" dashboard. What you see depends on which application path you took:

If you applied without an investor code: You will see a confirmation tip in the top-right corner: You've unlocked $1,000 in Azure credits. Your credits are immediately available, and you can begin deploying resources right away.

If you applied with an investor code: You will see a "Hello, [Name]" welcome modal confirming you have $1,000 in Azure credits to begin building while your application is reviewed. A yellow banner at the top of the dashboard indicates that your application is under review. Click Start exploring to dismiss the modal and begin using the portal.

Note

Your credit balance may take up to 24 hours to fully update after account creation. Once your application is approved (typically within 3 business days), you will receive expanded program credits and benefits.

Azure Activation FAQs

How long do I have to activate Azure credits?
You must activate Azure credits within 90 days of accepting the program agreement. If you don't, your offer will expire, and you'll need to reapply to regain access to the investor offer.

How can I confirm that the Azure credits are showing under my account on the Azure portal?
Log into the Azure portal and navigate to Cost Management > Billing > Payment methods.

What happens if I don't activate my Azure credits within 90 days?
Your offer will expire, and you'll need to reapply to regain access to the investor offer.

What do I do if I get an "Already redeemed" error when activating my Azure benefit?
Azure credits were previously allocated to the Microsoft Account (MSA) associated with this email address, often from another Microsoft program. If you finished using credits from the other program, contact support at aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal for help with activating Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer credits.

If you're still using credits from another program, we recommend you finish using those credits before activating Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer credits. Azure credits and other benefits must be activated by the date indicated on your Home page of the Microsoft for Startups Portal.

To use credits from two programs in parallel, set up a new MSA with another email address. Note that it isn't possible to share workloads across MSAs.

"You aren't eligible for this offer" Azure activation error
Contact support through the portal at aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal.

"Your account type is not supported" Azure activation error
You receive this message when your account doesn't have an active administrator for your tenant. You can take administrator ownership of the account by following these steps.

Alternatively, this can occur if the account is registered in an unmanaged Azure Active Directory. Sign up using another account or take over the unmanaged AD directory.

How do I resolve Azure activation errors related to my credit card?
To troubleshoot credit card issues, refer to Troubleshoot a declined card at Azure sign-up.

"You aren't eligible for an Azure subscription" Azure activation error
Check that the information provided for your Azure account profile — including contact email address, street address, and telephone number — is correct. Make sure that the credit card information you entered is correct, and you don't already have a Microsoft account with the same information. If you still face issues, contact support at aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal.

I activated my Azure sponsorship. How can I create subscriptions to use my sponsorship credits?

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal using the email address associated with your Microsoft for Startups credits.
  2. Navigate to Subscriptions and then select Add.
  3. Select the billing account under which the credits are allocated.
  4. All subscriptions under that billing account will be able to use the allocated sponsorship credits.

Microsoft for Startups Support

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