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Getting started with Microsoft for Startups

Overview

Microsoft for Startups helps founders build fast, scale smart, and sell more. The program is designed to help startups move from building products to reaching enterprise customers faster. Startups join the program by applying through the website and can begin building immediately with Startup credits, Azure AI capabilities, technical resources, and startup support.

Every startup enters Microsoft for Startups the same way. As startups build and grow on Azure, they may unlock expanded benefits over time, including increased Startup credits, advanced AI capabilities, dedicated startup guidance, and go-to-market resources that help accelerate enterprise growth and revenue.

Microsoft for Startups is designed to help startups move from initial development to production faster while helping founders reach enterprise customers through Microsoft Marketplace and Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem.

Benefits available when you join

When you join Microsoft for Startups, you receive:

  • Up to $1,000 in Startup credits immediately to start building on Azure
  • The ability to unlock up to $150,000 in Startup credits over time based on verified progress, service adoption, and sustained Azure usage
  • Access to Azure AI capabilities, including models available through Microsoft Foundry
  • Access to Azure services for building, testing, and deploying applications
  • Access to Microsoft Marketplace and co-sell opportunities that help reduce procurement friction and accelerate enterprise growth
  • Access to startup-focused technical resources, dedicated guidance, and go-to-market support

Startup credits can be used on eligible Azure services to develop, run, and scale applications in the cloud.

How to apply

To apply to Microsoft for Startups:

  1. Go to startups.microsoft.com
  2. Select Get started
  3. Complete and submit your application

What happens after you’re signed up

Once you submit your application, you gain access to the Microsoft for Startups portal, where you can immediately:

  • Activate and manage Startup credits
  • Track Azure usage
  • Manage your team and account

How Startup credits can grow over time

Startup credits are designed to support your startup as it builds, adopts Azure services, and scales.

As your startup progresses, you may become eligible for additional Startup credits based on factors such as business verification, service adoption, usage patterns, and overall program eligibility.

Credit increases are reviewed over time and may vary by startup. Eligibility is based on verified progress and sustained Azure usage, not just service activation.

How credit progression works

You don’t need to apply separately for higher credit tiers. Your account is automatically evaluated and upgraded when you meet the requirements for the next milestone. Progression is based on:

  • Service adoption (number of Azure workloads in active use)
  • Usage over time (for higher tiers)
  • Business verification (early stage)

Credit milestones and requirements

Milestone 1: $1,000

What to do:

  • Sign up for Azure
  • Verify your identity (for example, via LinkedIn)

Milestone 2: $5,000

What to do:

  • Complete business verification (confirm that your startup is a legal registered entity)

What this means:

  • Confirm your startup is a registered legal entity

Milestone 3: $25,000

What to do:

  • Use 5+ Azure workloads over a sustained period (~60 days)

What this means:

  • You’re actively building with multiple Azure services
  • Workloads can include services such as VMs, AI models, databases, or other Azure offerings

Milestone 4: $50,000

What to do:

  • Use at least 7 Azure workloads over a sustained period (~60 days)

What this means:

  • Your solution is expanding and integrating more Azure capabilities

Milestone 5: $150,000

What to do:

  • Use 10 or more Azure workloads
  • Maintain ~$3,000/month in Azure usage over a sustained period (~60 days)

What this means:

  • Your startup is scaling with consistent, production-level usage
  • Both service adoption and sustained usage are required at this stage

What counts as a workload?

A workload represents an Azure service you actively use in your solution. Each unique service counts toward your workload total, for example:

  • Virtual Machines (compute)
  • AI and machine learning services
  • Databases
  • Application hosting services

How progress is evaluated

Your progress is evaluated based on recent activity and sustained usage patterns, not one-time spikes.

  • For higher tiers, usage must be consistent over time, not just a single month
  • Once you meet the requirement, your credit limit is automatically increased
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