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Founders Hub: Cannot sign in via LinkedIn ("User not found") + Business Verification pending for 10+ business days

Ryo 0 Reputation points
2026-06-03T01:35:12.2333333+00:00

Hello,

I am experiencing two issues with my Microsoft for Startups / Founders Hub account.

  1. Portal login issue

I signed up for Founders Hub via LinkedIn on May 20, 2026 and successfully completed Tier 1.

My Azure sponsorship credits are active and visible in the Azure portal.

However, I can no longer access the Founders Hub portal:

  • "Sign in with LinkedIn" results in a "User not found" error
  • "Sign in with Microsoft account" results in a login loop

I am not sure, but this may be related to the "new Microsoft for Startups experience" migration shown in the portal banner.

Affected portals:

  • foundershub.startups.microsoft.com
  • portal.startups.microsoft.com
  1. Business Verification status (Tier 2)

I submitted the Business Verification request on May 20, 2026.

More than 10 business days have passed, but I have not received any status update.

Because of the portal login issue above, I am currently unable to check the verification status myself.

I can provide my company details and Azure Subscription ID through a secure channel if needed.

Could you please help restore access to the Founders Hub portal and check the current status of my Tier 2 Business Verification?

Thank you.

Azure | Azure Startups
Azure | Azure Startups

Startups: Companies that are in their initial stages of business and typically developing a business model and seeking financing.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-03T01:35:29.8133333+00:00

    Contact support for Microsoft for Startups / Founders Hub and Microsoft account/Azure sign-in, as the issues described (LinkedIn “User not found”, Microsoft account sign-in loop, and Tier 2 Business Verification delay) require backend investigation and tenant/account-level actions that cannot be performed from the client side.

    For sign-in problems and account recovery in general:

    1. If the Founders Hub sign-in is tied to a personal Microsoft account and that sign-in is failing, use the Microsoft account self-help and recovery tools:
      • If the password was forgotten, follow the steps in Reset your password.
      • If the password is known but stopped working, use the Sign-in Helper tool.
      • If the email/username is in doubt, use the “Look up your Microsoft account” guidance.
      • If verification codes are not received, follow the verification code troubleshooting steps.
    2. If the Founders Hub sign-in is tied to a work/school (corporate) account and multifactor authentication is enabled, repeated failed attempts can trigger Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication protections. In that case:
      • Wait and try again later or use a different MFA method.
      • If malicious activity is suspected or MFA is misconfigured, an IT administrator must review the Microsoft Entra sign-in logs and adjust MFA as needed.
    3. If the account cannot be accessed at all (for example, due to MFA lockout and only one admin exists), a support ticket with Microsoft support is required so the Data Protection team can help restore access.
    4. If the tenant or account appears inactive or inaccessible, sign in using the tenant-specific endpoint with the tenant ID provided by support to regain access.

    Because the Founders Hub portal and business verification workflows are not exposed in the provided documentation, only official support channels can:

    • Map the LinkedIn-based Founders Hub identity to the correct Microsoft account or tenant.
    • Fix any misalignment between the identity used for Azure sponsorship credits and the identity used for Founders Hub.
    • Check and, if necessary, manually progress the Tier 2 Business Verification request.

    Use the general Microsoft account and sign-in support links for personal accounts, and contact organizational IT or Microsoft support for work/school accounts, to open a support case that references the Founders Hub sign-in and verification issues.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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