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Technical Guidance & Support Overview

As a member of Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub you have direct access to Technical Guidance and Support Services to help you during your startup journey. The support benefits available to you depend upon your current Azure credit offer amount.

Azure Pairing sessions offer one on one technical guidance ranging from Getting Started on Azure, Azure Optimization consultations, to four-hour architectural design reviews.

Expert Network gives you access to business and technology professionals who can help you brainstorm new ideas, fine tune a presentation, or help align areas of focus. Grow your network of experts to call on when you need advice or direction.

Azure Technical Support and Microsoft Q&A are your go-to sources to troubleshoot technical issues within Azure. Use these resources when you’re in need of break/fix support or have specific questions about Azure.

Video: Technical Guidance & Support

Technical Guidance and Support video

Azure Pairing

You can request an Azure technical consultation to help you build on Azure. Request anything from a 30 minute "Getting Started" session to a four-hour architectural review or infrastructure optimization consultation. Sign in to the Microsoft for Startups portal and submit a request via the Guidance tab. A Startup Advisor will set up a call with you to assess your goals, make a recommendation for next steps, and discuss all your technical engagement options.

How do I request an Azure Pairing Session?

  1. Sign in to Founders Hub.
  2. Navigate to the Guidance tab.
  3. Click on 'Get paired with an advisor' --> complete the form and submit request.
  4. Our team reaches out within one business day.

Azure Technical Support

Your Azure sponsorship subscription includes a complimentary support plan. All Founders Hub members receive access to Priority Community Support through Microsoft Q&A. Some Azure credit offers include an Azure Support plan like Standard or ProDirect Support. Azure support can assist you with various issues including product error messages, billing, and subscription issues.

Priority Community Support

Get high quality answers to Azure-related questions with Microsoft Q&A, a trusted platform for technical questions on Azure services. Receive expert guidance from Azure engineers and Community Champions within eight business hours. Questions from Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub members are automatically tagged and prioritized in the forum.

Find more information on Priority Community Support

Which support option is right for my question?

  • Cost and billing: Sign in to the Azure Sponsorship portal.
  • Error messages, quota requests, billing questions, and urgent issues: Open a support request in the Azure portal.
  • Advice on how to build, migrate, or optimize: Request to pair with an Azure engineer. Sign in to Founders Hub
  • Ask a question and see answers to pre-existing questions: Visit Microsoft Q&A, a trusted platform for technical questions on Azure services.
  • Build your skills and gain experience with Microsoft tools and resources: Visit Microsoft Learn.
  • Business, Marketing, and Sales Support: Expert Network

Expert Network

Microsoft for Startups designed Expert Network to complement technical support benefits with business, marketing, and support. With Expert Network, startups can connect one-on-one with individuals within the Microsoft ecosystem to leverage business expertise within this global network.

Video: Expert Network Overview

Founders Hub Expert Network Overview video

How do I access the Expert Network?

Unlimited access to the Expert Network is available to startups with an Azure credit offer of $5,000 and above. You can reach out to as many experts as you like to get the help you need.

  1. To submit a request, sign in to Founders Hub
  2. Click "Explore Expert Network" from the first tile or navigate to Expert Network by choosing the Guidance tab.
  3. Filter options by business expertise, industry, country, and language. The expert results update as you choose different filters.
  4. Select an expert to see more information about that individual.
  5. Once you've selected an expert you’d like to meet, click “Send Request” on their profile page.
  6. Complete the “Goal of the request” section and click “Send Request.”
  7. The request is sent to the expert, who confirms if they're able to help you reach your goal.

When your request is submitted, the expert is notified. Experts can review your request and founder profile to verify they are qualified to help you. If your request is accepted, you receive an alert. At this point you can arrange a time to meet. After the meeting is over, you have the opportunity to rate the experience.

What should I include in the "Goal of the Request" field?

When you reach out to an Expert, it’s important to provide adequate context for the issue you want to solve. The more detail you provide, the easier it is determine if they are the right person to help you. Here are some tips to help you craft a good goal statement.

DO DON'T
Provide context on the specific issue you’d like to discuss. Be unclear about why you’re reaching out (for example, “Hi! I’d like to meet with you”).
Give details on why you chose them (for example, Business or Industry experience) Solicit customers or investors.
Provide details beyond what is listed in your founder profile. Repeat details in your founder profile.
Send customized requests to multiple experts at once, based on their area of expertise. Send the same general request to multiple experts at once.

How long do I have access to the Expert Network?

The benefit is unlimited and available as long as you're in the Founders Hub program.

What happens if I don't hear back after sending a request?

All our Experts are volunteers balancing Expert Network requests with their day job. If an Expert doesn't respond to your request within a few days, we send them a reminder. If they still don't reply after another few days, we set the request as 'Ignored' and you can request them again or try another Expert.

What happens after I'm connected to an Expert?

Once a request is accepted, you are introduced to your chosen Expert over email. From there, we set the expectation with the Expert that they will share their calendar availability or reply with an answer to your question over email. If you don't hear back from your Expert within a few days, you can reply to them on the email thread.