Start up 1k credit

Question

Start up 1k credit

Praveen Katarki 0

I have signed up the for the founder hub, I have been credited 1k credits, tired to use the credit access azure to build the vault, however unable to access, anyone please, Thank you

Siva shunmugam Nadessin 8,250 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-08T21:12:36.56+00:00
Hello Praveen Katarki,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

When investigated we see that to use them in Azure (for example, to spin up a Key Vault), you need to redeem and activate your sponsorship subscription, then make sure you’re building resources under that subscription. Here’s how you can check and fix most “can’t access” issues:

Redeem & activate your $1 K credit • Go to the Founders Hub portal (https://foundershub.startups.microsoft.com/login) and sign in with the same Microsoft Account you used to join. • In the left-hand menu, click “Azure Credits” (or “Activate Azure Sponsorship”) and follow the prompts – you’ll be taken to the Azure portal to accept the Sponsorship offer.

Verify your Sponsorship subscription in Azure • In the Azure portal, go to “Subscriptions” and look for an “Azure Sponsorship” subscription showing ~$1,000 USD credit and an expiration date. • If you don’t see it, click your account in the top-right, switch directories to the one associated with Founders Hub, then refresh.

Select the correct subscription when you build resources • When creating any resource (e.g., a Key Vault), make sure the “Subscription” dropdown is set to your Azure Sponsorship subscription.

Check your access permissions • Go to Subscriptions → select your Sponsorship subscription → Access control (IAM). • Confirm your user is listed with Owner or Contributor rights. If not, add yourself or have an admin add you.

(For Key Vault specifically) ensure the Key Vault provider is registered • Subscriptions → [your sponsorship subscription] → Resource providers → search for “Microsoft.KeyVault” and click “Register” if it’s not already.

If after those steps you’re still unable to deploy or access the vault, can you share:

The exact error message or error code you’re seeing?

Which vault resource type/region you’re trying to deploy?

A screenshot of your Subscriptions blade (so we can see if the Sponsorship subscription is present)?

The Subscription ID listed under “Subscriptions”?

With that info we can zero in on what’s blocking you.

Reference docs:

Redeem your $1,000 in Azure credits (90 days validity): https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview

Startup support & troubleshooting (basic support included): https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/startup-help

Track your Azure startup credit usage & billing: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/azure-usage

Unlock up to $5,000 with business verification: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview#step-2-unlock-up-to-$5,000-with-business-verification
Praveen Katarki 0 Reputation points

2026-04-08T23:19:45.0866667+00:00

Hi Siva,

Thanks of your reply, I tried to activate my subscription as suggested, however I couldn't see my subscription under the left-hand dashboard. In one section it mentions try to change he directory, obviously I don't have idea how the directory works. Screenshot 2026-04-09 at 12.15.12 am.png.

regards

Praveen