Startup Program Verification

Question

Hey,

I got this message about the startup program verification with no way to attach supplementary information or contact anyone for support. I tried the support tab and everything is automated and not helpful, and I have a paid support plan.

"We couldn’t verify your startup."

Any guidance would be helpful.

Thank you

Answer 1

Hey Danny, it sounds like you’re looking at “We couldn’t verify your startup” error when trying to complete your business verification to unlock Azure credits.

Here are a few things to check and try:

Confirm which program you’re using

• Azure for Startups (up to $1K immediately, plus up to $4K more after business verification)
  • Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer (referral-code-based tiered credits up to $100K+)

1. Verify your business details correctly

• In the Azure portal, go to “Get $1,000 to build on Azure” (or your Startups portal Offers page) → Step 2: Unlock up to $5,000 with business verification.
• Make sure you’ve provided your legal business name, registration number, address, and a brief description of your software-based product/service.
  • Verification can take up to 7 business days please check status on the portal homepage under “Check verification status.”
  Use the right account type

  - Azure for Startups requires a brand-new Azure customer signing in with a personal Microsoft Account (MSA).
  
     - If you’re using an org-based Azure AD account or have prior enrollments, it can cause conflicts.
  
     Common pitfalls and workarounds
  
        - If your MSA or email is already linked to another startup enrollment, try using a different email that isn’t tied to an existing startup.
  
           - If you previously applied under a different company, either remove or delete that old enrollment (or ask that admin to unlink you) before reapplying.
  
              - For the Investor Offer, make sure you redeem your referral code in the Startups portal using the exact email on your Azure subscription.
  

1. When to open a support ticket
   • If after the above you still see “We couldn’t verify your startup,” file a support request under Subscription & Billing > Sign-in issues.
   • In your ticket include: • The program you’re applying to (Azure for Startups vs. Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer), The email/account you used (MSA or org account).
   • A screenshot of the error and the exact step where it occurs • Confirmation of any previous startup enrollments on that account

References:

Get up to $5,000 in Azure credits (Step 2: business verification): https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview#step-2-unlock-up-to-$5,000-with-business-verification

• Azure for Startups credits overview: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/signups/overview

• Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer application: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-for-startups/application?source=recommendations

Answer 2

I think opening a new Billing and Subscription ticket with one document showing the startup is the most practical step. That route is basically the only public way to get a manual review when automatic verification stops.