Microsoft for Startups.
Azure credits released in stages as a startup verifies its business and grows its Azure usage, with a separate track for investor-referred companies.
Credit
$200 to start; up to $150,000 at usage milestones
Window
90 days to 2 years, by stage
Who qualifies
Pre-Series C, owns a software product
Larger credits unlock only as your Azure usage grows.
You get $200 at sign-up and $5,000 after business verification, which must happen within 90 days; $25,000, $50,000 and $150,000 unlock at Azure usage milestones. Sign-up needs a new personal Microsoft account, LinkedIn and a credit card. A Microsoft support answer says partner models such as Claude aren’t covered.
Checked against the provider’s own terms on November 2, 2026. Providers change these terms without notice, so confirm on their site before you apply. We don’t run this program or issue its credits.