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As a valued member of the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network , your trusted relationships with founders are key to helping startups access tools and resources they need to scale. To ensure the integrity of the program we have outlined a few guidelines for optimal distribution and management of referral codes.
Treat Referral Codes as Strategic and Confidential
Your unique referral code is linked to your organization and helps us track startup applications through your network. We ask that codes be handled thoughtfully:
Investors should avoid sharing codes publicly (e.g., websites, social media, LinkedIn, or online forums).
Sharing should be intentional, private, and within your vetted network.
Share Only with Eligible Startups
To protect the experience for all parties, referral codes are intended for startups that meet the Microsoft for Startups eligibility criteria:
Startups in your current portfolio or actively engaged in your program and Alumni who have graduated from your accelerator or incubator
We ask that the codes should not be shared with:
Startups in your application pipeline who have not yet been formally accepted
Startups with no formal association to your organization
MfS startup eligibility criteria
Trust and optimizing the startups experience
As a partner, you set the tone for how startups engage with our platform. Emphasize that access to the Microsoft for Startups program is selective and that your code reflects a strong, trust-based recommendation.
Help us Monitor for Responsible Use
We appreciate your stewardship. If you notice unintended use or suspect your code has been shared too broadly, please let us know. Our team is here to support you and can reissue or pause codes if needed.
Contact your Microsoft for Startups contact or InvestorNetworkSupport@microsoft.com
Lead with Values & Grow with Us
We invite you to treat the code-sharing process not as a transaction, but as a reflection of our shared partnership and responsibility to help great startups grow with Microsoft.