Eligibility Inquiry – Microsoft for Startups (ProjektFuchs by Convolut GmbH)

Question

Dear Microsoft for Startups Team,

I am reaching out on behalf of Convolut GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company focused on data integration, analytics, and intelligent automation in the financial services industry.

We are currently developing a SaaS product called ProjektFuchs (https://www.projektfuchs.io), a platform designed to help freelancers identify relevant project opportunities across multiple sources using AI-driven screening, matching, and prioritization. The goal is to significantly reduce the time spent searching for projects while improving the quality of matches between freelancers and project providers.

As we are in the early stage of product growth, we would like to explore whether Convolut GmbH and our product ProjektFuchs could be eligible for the Microsoft for Startups program, particularly with regard to Azure credits and technical support.

Our platform is built with a modern cloud architecture and we are actively leveraging Azure services (including App Services, Kubernetes, and AI capabilities). We believe that participating in the program could accelerate both our technical development and go-to-market efforts.

Could you please advise:

• Whether our company and product might meet the eligibility criteria
• Which program tier would be most appropriate in our case
• What the next steps in the application process would be

I would be happy to provide further details about the product, architecture, or business model if needed.

Thank you in advance for your support, and I look forward to your feedback.

Best regards,

Francesco di Cugno

Managing Director

Convolut GmbH

Answer 1

Hey Francesco, thanks for sharing details about Convolut GmbH and ProjektFuchs – it sounds like a great AI-driven SaaS platform for freelancers!

Here’s how you can tap into Microsoft’s startup offers and which path makes sense:

1. Azure for Startups (no application required) • What you get: – $1,000 USD in Azure credits immediately – An extra $4,000 USD after you complete business verification • Who it’s for: brand-new Azure customers using a personal Microsoft Account (MSA) • Good fit if you just want to experiment quickly on App Services, Kubernetes, AI services, etc., without a lengthy application. • Learn more & sign up: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview
2. Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer (Founders Hub) • What you get: tiered Azure credits up to $100K (and the chance to earn more), plus free technical support and go-to-market benefits • Four tiers based on your stage: – Ideate: $1K to prototype – Develop: $5K to build your MVP – Grow: $25K after you’ve launched and are winning customers – Scale: $100K+ once you’ve hit product-market fit • Since you’re in early product growth, you’d likely start in the “Develop” tier (or “Grow” if you’ve already launched) and receive $5K–$25K right away. • Next steps:
   1. Go to the Startups portal and sign up with your MSA: https://portal.startups.microsoft.com/signup
   2. Complete your company and product profile, select the tier that best matches your stage
   3. Verify your business details (this usually takes a few days)
   4. Redeem your Azure credits and explore the free technical support offers
   • More info on applying: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-for-startups/application?source=recommendations

Which one to choose?

• If you need a quick credit boost and have never used Azure: start with the $1K + $4K Azure for Startups credits.

• If you want deeper technical support, co-selling opportunities, and up to $100K in credits over time, go for the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer.

Hope this helps!

Reference Docs

• Azure for Startups credit offer: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview
• Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer overview & application: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-for-startups/application?source=recommendations
• Startups portal signup: https://portal.startups.microsoft.com/signup

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

Convolut GmbH and ProjektFuchs can potentially engage with Microsoft in two main ways, depending on investor affiliation and current Azure benefits usage.

1. Azure startup credit offer (open to all eligible startups)

• This path is open to startups at any stage and does not require investor affiliation.
• Provides up to USD 5,000 in Azure credits, with USD 1,000 available immediately to explore AI models and start building.
• Credits can be used on eligible Azure services within the first 90 days of sign-up.
• This is appropriate for an early-stage SaaS product already building on Azure and looking for credits and a straightforward onboarding path.

2. Microsoft for Startups investor offer (enhanced benefits) To qualify for the Microsoft for Startups investor offer (the higher tier with enhanced benefits), the startup must meet all of the following criteria:
3. Be affiliated with an investor (VC or accelerator) that is part of the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network, and obtain a referral code directly from that investor.
4. Be engaged in developing a software-based product or service that is a core part of the current or intended business, and the software must be owned (not licensed from another party).
5. Have received fewer than USD 350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits.
6. Be headquartered in a country where Azure services are available (Germany qualifies under this requirement).
7. Not have raised Series C funding.
8. Be privately held.
9. Be a for-profit business.
10. Not be an educational institution, government organization, personal blog, development shop, consultancy, agency, or involved in bitcoin/crypto mining.

Given the description:

• Convolut GmbH is a for-profit company in Germany, building its own SaaS product (ProjektFuchs) on Azure.
• If the company is primarily a consulting business, it must still meet the requirement that the software product is a core part of the current or intended business and that the company is not operating merely as a consultancy or development shop. That distinction is important for eligibility.
• If affiliated with an investor in the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network and meeting all criteria above, the investor offer would be the appropriate tier.
• If not affiliated with such an investor, the Azure startup credit offer is the appropriate path.

Program tier recommendation

• If there is no qualifying investor affiliation yet: start with the Azure startup credit offer to obtain Azure credits and begin/continue building and scaling on Azure.
• If there is an investor in the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network and all eligibility criteria are met: apply for the Microsoft for Startups investor offer, which provides increased Azure credits, access to advanced AI services, expert technical guidance, and go-to-market support.

Next steps in the application process

1. For the Azure startup credit offer (open tier):
   • Review the Azure startup credit offer details and sign up to receive up to USD 5,000 in Azure credits (USD 1,000 immediately, remaining based on usage and eligibility). Credits are valid on eligible services for 90 days from sign-up.
2. For the Microsoft for Startups investor offer (enhanced tier):
   • Confirm that all eligibility criteria are met, including investor affiliation and that the company is not classified as a consultancy/development shop under the program rules.
   • Obtain a referral code from the participating investor (accelerator or VC). The list of investors is not public; the investor must provide the code directly.
   • Go to startups.microsoft.com, select “Get started now”, and enter the referral code to begin the application.
   • After submitting the application, it is reviewed within three business days, and a decision is sent to the email address used during the application.
   • Once approved, access is granted to the Microsoft for Startups Portal, where it is possible to:
     • Update company profile and add team members.
     • Find, activate, and manage benefits (including Azure credits and technical guidance).
     • Request Azure technical guidance and submit program support requests.
3. For additional technical/AI benefits and support:
   • For Limited Access Azure AI features, first submit the official registration for the desired access. If not approved automatically, sign in to the Microsoft for Startups portal, open a support ticket, and include the Azure support request number so coordination with the right teams can occur.
   • Eligible startups will receive direct information and invitations for additional benefits and can also reach out to their Microsoft contact or the support team via the Microsoft for Startups portal.

These steps will allow Convolut GmbH to determine the correct tier, validate eligibility, and proceed with the appropriate application path for Azure credits and technical support.

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References:

• What is Microsoft for Startups?
• Get up to $5,000 in Azure credits to build and grow your startup
• Microsoft for Startups Technical Benefits