Note
Access to this page requires authorization. You can try signing in or changing directories.
Access to this page requires authorization. You can try changing directories.
Microsoft for Startups Program Support helps founders build, run, and scale their businesses on Azure by resolving program-related issues, guiding benefit activation, and connecting startups to the right Microsoft support teams at the right time.
Our goal is to remove friction so you can activate benefits quickly, stay unblocked, and keep building on Azure. MfS Support focuses on program operations and benefits, not deep Azure engineering or architecture design.
Where Microsoft for Startups Support Fits in the Startup Journey
MfS Program Support primarily helps during joining, onboarding, and benefit usage, while other teams support product, technical, and GTM needs. As a startup, you’ll interact with different Microsoft teams at different stages:
- Joining Microsoft for Startups – Program onboarding and benefit activation
- Building Fast – Using Azure credits, deploying workloads, requesting quota
- Go-To-Market – Scaling usage, transitioning off credits, publishing marketplace offers
What's In Scope for Microsoft for Startups Support
Contact Microsoft for Startups Program Support when the issue is related to the program, benefits, or portal. We directly own and resolve:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Program & Onboarding | Application review, approval status, or reapplication questions Program-related FAQs |
| Azure Sponsorship & Credits | Azure credit activation issues Incorrect sponsorship offer type Credit expiration or usage questions |
| Entitlement & Ownership | Entitlement Transfers (ET) Updating or correcting the owner account tied to your Azure sponsorship |
| Benefit Redemption | Azure quota or quota increase requests GPU-related benefit requests (coordination) Redemption issues for: - Microsoft 365 - Dynamics 365 - GitHub - Other Microsoft and third-party startup benefits |
| Verification & Compliance | Business or domain verification (for application or level-up) |
| Refund Requests (Coordination) | Program-related refund investigations in partnership with central billing teams |
How to Contact Microsoft for Startups Program Support
All startups must submit requests through the Azure Portal.
How to get help:
- Go to the Azure portal
- Navigate to your startup homepage
- In the Overview tab, locate the box titled Your Microsoft Team
- Select Get program support
Support Coverage:
- 24/7 global coverage
- Engineers available across time zones, including weekends
What Microsoft for Startups Program Support Does NOT Cover
Some issues fall outside the scope of Program Support.
MfS Support does not directly resolve:
- Azure service outages or runtime failures
- Production workload debugging
- Azure architecture design or optimization
- Performance tuning, security hardening, or resiliency reviews
- Marketplace technical validation or publishing approvals
For these issues, use the appropriate Microsoft support teams below.
Other Microsoft Support Teams That Help Startups
Azure Product & Billing Support (ASMS)
Use Azure Support for:
- Azure service errors or outages
- Compute, storage, networking, or AI service issues
- Subscription and billing problems
- Critical production incidents
Submit tickets directly in the Azure Portal.
Azure Community Support
Azure Community Support is a free, self-service option, ideal for non-urgent technical questions where you can:
- Ask technical questions
- Learn from Microsoft engineers and community experts
- Explore startup-relevant Azure scenarios
Startup Technical Enablement Teams
Technical experts are available through Microsoft for Startups to assist with technical guidance and planning.
- Technical discovery and architecture conversations
- Azure best practices and maturity guidance
- Quota, GPU, and AI infrastructure alignment
How to get help:
- Go to the Azure Portal
- Locate the "Your Microsoft team" section
- Select the connection that best matches your need
How Support Works Together
Microsoft for Startups uses a multi-layered support model. This approach ensures you always know where to go and what to expect.
- MfS Program Support –> Program, benefits, and portal issues
- Azure Support (ASMS) –> Azure product, billing, and production issues
- Advisors & Technical Enablement –> Guidance, optimization, and growth support
When in Doubt
If you’re not sure who to contact:
- Start with MfS Program Support for program or benefit questions
- Use Azure Support for service or billing issues
- Ask your Startup Advisor if you need help deciding
We’re here to help you move forward faster, clearer, and with confidence.