Trying to apply startup credit but when redemption site refused

Question

We got $5K startup credit and are trying to apply it to azure account but when redemption site (from benefits page. https://signup.azure.com/signup?offer=MS-AZR-0036P) refused with the following message. I created two accounts as it continues to fail one with my personal email (gmail) and one with company email. See the same issue with both accounts. Pls, help!

====

You're not eligible for the sponsorship benefit

This is a limited Azure benefit that’s only available by email invitation.

Answer 1

Hi Juyong Do,

Thank you for reaching out to us on the Microsoft Q&A forum.

The error message suggests a potential issue with your eligibility, or the account used for redemption. To resolve this, ensure you are logging in with the exact email associated with your Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub account, as personal emails (e.g., Gmail) may not work if the credits are linked to your company domain. Verify that your account has been approved for the $5,000 Azure credit and that all required verification steps, such as business domain verification, are completed in the Founders Hub checklist. The credits must be activated through the "Benefits" section in Founders Hub, so make sure you are using the correct redemption link provided there. Additionally, check the Azure Sponsorships portal to confirm if the credits have been applied and to track any active sponsorships or usage. If the issue persists, contacting Microsoft support for further assistance may be necessary.

For reference, Azure Activation FAQs

If the issue persists, we recommend reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance Submit Support Request.

Please reach out to us if you have any other queries.

If the information is helpful, please Accept Answer & Upvote so that it would be helpful to other community members.