Is it possible to receive additional Azure Sponsorship credits or a new grant in our situation?

Question

Hi,

We are a startup based in Ukraine currently using an Azure Sponsorship subscription.

We are building a SaaS product and actively using Azure for our infrastructure.

Due to the ongoing energy infrastructure disruptions in Ukraine during the past months, our team faced significant challenges (power outages, unstable internet, operational interruptions), which impacted our ability to fully utilize the sponsorship period.

We understand that Azure Sponsorships cannot be extended. However, we would like to ask:

Is there any possibility to receive additional credits or apply for a new Azure Sponsorship grant in our case?

We are continuing to develop our product and plan to scale further on Azure.

Any guidance on available programs or next steps (e.g., startup programs, partner channels) would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello Iryna,

Sorry to hear about the disruptions you’ve faced in Ukraine. You’re right that legacy Azure Sponsorships can’t be extended or topped up-but you do have other options to get fresh credits or grants. Here are a few paths you can explore:

1. Microsoft for Startups • Apply to the Founders Hub (formerly the Investor Offer). If accepted, you can get up to $150K in Azure credits over time based on your startup stage. • You’ll need to sign up at https://foundershub.startups.microsoft.com/apply
2. Azure for Startups credit offer • Immediate $1,000 USD in Azure credits for new customers, plus up to $4,000 USD more after business verification. • Learn more and enroll at https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview
3. Microsoft Partner Network benefits • If you’re a Microsoft Action Pack subscriber or have a silver/gold competency, you can assign yourself $100/mo or bulk yearly Azure credits. • Activate and assign at https://partner.microsoft.com/dashboard under MPN > Benefits > Azure and cloud
4. Nonprofit grant (if you qualify) • $2,000 USD/year in Azure credits for registered nonprofits. • Check eligibility and apply at https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/getting-started

Follow-up questions to help narrow down your best route:

• Have you already signed up for the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub?

• Do you have an investor who’s part of the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network?

• Are any of your team members enrolled in Microsoft Partner Network or holding an Action Pack subscription?

• Is your startup registered as a nonprofit or eligible NGO?

Reference list:

• Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub – https://foundershub.startups.microsoft.com/apply

• Azure for Startups credit offer – https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview

• Microsoft Partner Network benefits – https://partner.microsoft.com/dashboard (MPN > Benefits > Azure and cloud)

• Azure nonprofit grant – https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/getting-started

Note: This content was drafted with the help of an AI system. Please verify the information before relying on it for decision-making.

Answer 2

Azure sponsorship and grant programs in the provided information all state that credits cannot be extended or increased beyond the defined offer period or amount.

For Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer credits:

• Once activated, credits are valid for 2 years and extensions are not available.
• Startup credits cannot be combined with other licensing, prepaid, or credit offers, and cannot be extended beyond the defined terms.

For nonprofit and other sponsorship-style grants (for comparison of policy behavior):

• Unused credits do not roll over and cannot be increased or extended beyond the standard annual amount.
• When credits are exhausted or expire, the subscription converts to pay-as-you-go for continued usage.

The context does not describe any exception process or special reissuance of sponsorship credits based on regional or operational hardship. It only points to:

• Applying for or redeeming existing startup offers (for example, the general Azure startup credit offer and the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer), and
• Using support channels (program support or Azure support) for help with applying or moving sponsorships between accounts/subscriptions.

Based on the provided information, the actionable next steps are:

1. Ensure all currently available startup offers have been redeemed:
   • If eligible for the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer, redeem and manage credits through the Microsoft for Startups Portal as described.
   • If not in the Investor Offer, use the general Azure startup credit offer available directly in the Azure portal.
2. If there is an existing sponsorship that needs to be moved to a different subscription or account (for example, to align with current usage), open a billing/support request via the Azure portal or, for Microsoft for Startups sponsorships, via the Microsoft for Startups Portal support channel.

The documentation does not provide a mechanism to request additional or renewed sponsorship credits outside the standard offers and their fixed terms.

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References:

• Azure Credits and Billing FAQs
• [Azure Credit Offer](https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-for-startups/benefits/azure)
• Get up to $5,000 in Azure credits to build and grow your startup
• Unlock More Azure Credits
• FAQ - ISV Success
• Renew your Azure grant
• Activate your Azure grant