Swedish B2B AI startup denied 5000usd azure credit?

Question

Hi Azure,

I am running an AI B2B business with my cofounder called Buyra Labs AB . We built and MVP for AI retail analyst, we have an MVP developed and pilots starting now. We have a registered business in Sweden.

We tried to apply for the 5000usd Azure credits for startups. For some reason the verification was denied, I am trying to reach support to understand what information is missing.

Would be great to receive some guidance on why we did not pass the registration?

To me it seems the perfect match to partner with you in this stage.

Answer 1

Hello @Tom Johansson

Sorry to hear that your $5,000 Azure startup credit application was declined. This usually happens when some of the submitted information does not fully match Microsoft’s eligibility requirements.
Please note:

When applying for the additional $5'000 Azure credits, please make sure you have:

1. Confirmed your business address,
2. Provided a business registration details,
3. Shared a brief description of your start-up. Your application then gets sent off to the verification team. This looks to be a manual process and can take up to 7 business days to complete. Once the team have verified your application and account, the credits are applied to your account. You can find out more information about this offer here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/signups/overview#step-2-unlock-up-to-5000-with-business-verification You will need to sign into your account used to create the Azure Startups program to see if these credits were applied. If you are still having trouble with this, please reach out to the Azure Startups team by signing into your account here: https://portal.startups.microsoft.com/login Then click onto the '?' icon on the top-right corner of your screen. You will then see an option to submit a support request.

Why applications are commonly declined:

Registration details do not exactly match official company records

Company address or legal information is incomplete or inconsistent

The product description does not clearly show that you own and are building the software

Verification was not completed within 90 days after redeeming the initial $1,000 credit

A previous verification attempt or duplicate application blocked automatic approval

The business appears to be mainly consulting-based rather than product-based

Regarding your case, if every points from above was followed, then the issue is likely related to documentation clarity or how the information was presented.

What you can do next:

• If you are still within the 90-day window, try completing or retrying the verification
• Apply through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, which offers up to $25,000 in Azure credits and can be more flexible for early-stage startups
• If you are connected with an accelerator or ecosystem partner in Sweden, request a referral to potentially access higher credit tiers.

Reference:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/signups/overview#additional-eligibility-requirements

Answer 2

It sounds like you are facing challenges with the verification process for the Azure startup credits. Here are some common reasons why a verification might be denied:

1. Incomplete Information: Ensure that all required information was provided during the verification process, including business registration details and a description of your startup.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Your startup must meet specific eligibility requirements, such as being a registered legal business entity and developing a software-based product or service that you own.
3. Verification Timing: Make sure that you submitted your verification within the required time frame, which is 90 days after redeeming the initial $1,000 credit.
4. Previous Verification Attempts: If your startup has already been verified or denied, you may not be able to submit another verification request.

To get more specific guidance on why your verification was denied, it is recommended to reach out to Azure support directly. You can create a support request in the Azure portal to get assistance with your situation.

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References:

• Frequently asked questions
• Startup support and troubleshooting