Get More Benefits FAQs

How do I get more Azure credits?

Every startup accepted into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub receives an initial Azure credit offer tailored to their company’s stage, designed to support you based on where you are in your startup journey.

All startups are eligible for up to $150,000 in Azure credits. To unlock more Azure credits, ensure you complete the tasks in your verification checklist found on the Home page in Founders Hub.

Accounts with an Azure credit offer of $5,000 or less, can submit a request for more credits in Founders Hub. If you are approved for an Azure credit offer of $25,000 or more, your account is reviewed approximately 45 days before your credits are due to expire. If approved, your account is automatically granted more credits and time in program.

I am approved for $1,000 or $5,000 in Azure credits. How do I request more?

If you are approved for an Azure credit offer of $5,000 or less, you can submit a request for more credits in Founders Hub once you have completed the tasks in your verification checklist. Follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.
2. On the Home tab, go to "Verification checklist." This lists the tasks required to be considered for more credits.
3. Once you complete all tasks, select the Submit request button.
4. If your request is approved, you receive more Azure credits and time in the program. Your Azure sponsorship end date changes to one year from the time of that approval. You also have that extended time to redeem other benefits. However, receiving more benefits doesn't extend the duration of non-Azure benefits you already activated.

Once I submit my request for more credits, how long does it take for the request to be processed?

Requests for more credits are reviewed within three business days. Response times may be delayed if we need to verify any information you provided.

When should I request more Azure credits?

Accounts with Azure credit offers of $5,000 or less can request more Azure credits. You should apply for more credits when you complete your verification checklist on the Home page in Founders Hub. We recommend submitting your request no later than two weeks before your current credit allocation is exhausted or expired. An overview of your credit balance is available on the Home page within Founders Hub. Credit consumption data is also available in the Azure Sponsorships portal.

I am approved for an Azure credit offer of $25,000 or more. How do I request more credits?

Accounts with Azure credit offers of $25,000 or more cannot submit a request for more credits. Instead, your account is reviewed approximately 45 days before your credits are due to expire and automatically granted more credits and time in the program. Your Azure sponsorship end date changes to one year from the time of that approval.

To be eligible for more Azure credits, you need to complete the tasks in your verification checklist and have a strong Engagement score in Founders Hub.

Why can’t I submit a request for more credits?

Only accounts with Azure credit offers of $5,000 or less can submit a request for more credits. Accounts with Azure credit offers of $25,000 or more is reviewed 45 days before credit expiration and automatically receive more credits if eligible. Notifications regarding the review process are sent via email.

What can I do if my request for more credits is denied?

Only accounts with Azure credit offers of $5,000 or less can submit a request for more credits. If your request is denied, you should receive an email that explains why the request was denied. If necessary, you can modify your information and submit another request.

What can I do if my account was automatically reviewed for more credits and denied?

Accounts with an Azure credit offer of $25,000 or more are reviewed 45 days before credits are due to expire and automatically granted more credits if eligible. If your account does not qualify you are not awarded more credits. The following decline reasons are eligible for re-review once the issue is resolved:

• Unable to access website.
• Unable to access demo video.
• Product demo video does not demo the software solution.
• No evidence of funding, customers, and/or partnerships.
• Unable to access additional links to verify funding, customers, or partnerships.

If you received any of these decline reasons, first resolve the issue on your account, and then contact support to request another review at aka.ms/startuphelpemail.

Engagement score

The Engagement score tracks how actively you’re using Azure and reflects your growing partnership with Microsoft. When you build more with Azure, you have a higher likelihood of improving your Engagement score. Only startups with an Azure credit offer of $25,000 or more will have an Engagement score displayed in Founders Hub. No score will be available for Azure credit offers of $5,000 or less.

Why do I get “No Score Available” under Engagement score?

The Engagement score is not available for accounts with Azure credit offers of $5,000 or less. This tile will display “No score available.”

The Engagement score will start to calculate for accounts with Azure credit offers of $25,000 or more within the first three months of being accepted into the program or approved for the next credit offer. During this time, you see “No score available.” On month four, the score will populate and guide you to keep building and try new Azure services.

How can I improve my Engagement score?

Keep building! Evaluate how you might deepen your Azure Engagement score. Ideas include:

• Revisit your Azure infrastructure.
• Evaluate AI features in the Build with AI tab.
• Explore more business tools in the Benefits tab of Founders Hub.
• Pair with an Azure engineer to get advice on your solution.

Does my Engagement score account for paid usage I have in parallel?

Yes, the score looks at all Azure usage not just credits usage.

Verification list FAQs

How do I activate my Azure credits?

Startups are required to activate Azure credits within 90 days of accepting the program agreement.

1. Sign in to Founders Hub.
2. On the Home page, you see "Activate your Azure Account" and a button beside it that says, "Activate Azure."
3. Follow the steps in Founders Hub to link your Microsoft account and complete your registration.

How do I add a team member?

You can add a new team member by entering their email in Founders Hub.

1. Sign in to Founders Hub and go to the Home page.
2. Select "Verification checklist," and you see the task titled "Add a team member." Click the button to add a team member. This screen allows you to enter an email address.
3. Input your new team member's email address and click "Send invitation" to invite them to join your Founders Hub team. Your team member receives an email invitation. They need to accept the invitation for this step to be completed.

How do I share a product demo video?

You need to provide a link to a product demo video so we can learn more about how your product works.

1. Sign in to Founders Hub and go to the Home page.
2. Select "Verification checklist," you see a task titled "Provide a demo video." Click the button to submit a video. This screen allows you to add a URL for your demo video.
3. Input the URL and submit. This must be a video, and it must be shared through a publicly available link. It must not be gated in any way, or we can't view it. Check out these tips to help you create the most effective demo video.

How do I verify funding, partners, and/or customers?

To show your company’s long-term viability and potential, you should submit proof of your partner affiliations and funding from investors, accelerators, or paying customers. Here are example links you can provide:

• Database profile with funding data (Pitchbook, Crunchbase, and so on.)
• Published customer case study
• Information demonstrating involvement in an accelerator program
• Press release discussing customer volumes
• Data on app download volumes

1. Sign in to Founders Hub and go to the Home page.
2. Under the "Verification checklist" heading, you see the task titled “Tell us about your funding, strategic partnerships, or customers.” Click the button to add more information.
3. Select your funding stage.
4. If you're working with Microsoft partners, select which one.
5. Fill in any other partners that you're affiliated with.
6. Enter supporting links that verify these partnerships, funding, or customer acquisition. See the list for acceptable links.
7. Click “Submit.” Our team reviews the provided links to verify the information. Don't send any links to private documents such as bank statements. We can't consider these types of documents.

Business and Domain Verification

When should I complete Business or Domain Verification and how long will it take to hear back?

Verification takes seven business days and is required to be eligible for more Azure credits. Gathering all relevant documents can take time. We recommend beginning this process early to allow for time collecting all of the necessary information and the verification process. The status of verification requests is displayed on your Founders Hub Home page.

How do I verify my business?

To verify that your business is a legal entity, you need to enter your business details, including legal name, address, and registration ID in Founders Hub.

1. Sign in to Founders Hub and go to the Home page.
2. Select "See all tasks," and you see the task titled "Verify your business." Click the button to verify your business. This screen allows you to add your business details.
3. Enter the details that match your business's official documents. Our team verifies this information against public records. If you recently completed this step, you may want to wait for your documents to be recorded online before applying for more credits.

If your startup isn't yet a legal entity, you need to incorporate or create a limited liability company before applying. You may want to consult a lawyer for advice on what legal structure is best for your company.

How do I verify my domain?

To verify your business's domain, you need to share it with us through Founders Hub.

1. Sign in to Founders Hub and go to the Home page.
2. Select "See all tasks," and you see the task titled "Verify your domain." Click the button to verify your domain. This screen allows you to enter your business URL.
3. Input the URL.
4. Check that the email address you provided matches your domain. If you need to update the email address associated with your Founders Hub account, you can edit it through the link provided.

Our team verifies your business's domain and check your provided email against that domain. You must own this domain; it can't be owned by a third party.

Why do I need to verify my business and domain?

This confirms that your startup is registered and confirms ownership.

How long does it take to pass business or domain verification?

Verification takes seven business days and is required to be eligible for more Azure credits. Gathering all relevant documents can take time. We recommend beginning this process early to allow for time collecting all of the necessary information and the verification process. The status of verification requests is displayed on your Founders Hub Home page.

Why did my verification status change?

If you change any information about your startup that was used to verify either your incorporation or your domain, it re-triggers the need for verification.

What should I do if my business couldn't be verified with the information provided?

• Ensure all supporting documents are dated within the last 12 months.
• Ensure an exact match between the startup name and address listed in your documentation with what is in your Founders Hub profile.

Instructions for updating your profile information on can be found here.

Do I have to verify Business/Domain for each new Azure credit request?

No. Business and domain verifications are done once. However, updates to the address or entity name in Founders Hub triggers reverification.

How do I provide additional information for domain verification?

Click "Re-verify Domain" on the Home page. This screen asks you to select a document type to upload and prompt you to attach the document. Document types include:

• Domain purchase invoices or registry confirmation records.
• Website showing name, address, contact information, and domain of the organization.

If we are still unable to verify your information after four rounds of document review, contact support at aka.ms/startuphelpemail.

What if I can't match my business contact email with my domain?

Submit a support request to have your business's domain and business contact email reviewed.

What should I do if my domain verification was declined?

• Verify the domain/website listed in your Founders Hub profile is accurate. Instructions for updating your profile information can be found here.
• Provide a receipt or other documentation indicating ownership of the domain.
• If you still have issues, contact support at aka.ms/startuphelpemail.

Azure Credit Offer Criteria

Video: How to Unlock more Azure credits

How do I get an Azure credit offer of $5,000?

To be considered for an Azure credit offer of $5,000, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must activate your Azure credits.
• Your business must be a verified legal entity.

Sign in to Founders Hub and visit the Home page to complete the tasks in your verification checklist and submit a request.

How do I get an Azure credit offer of $25,000?

To be considered for an Azure credit offer of $25,000, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Your business must be a verified legal entity.
• If you were previously granted a $5,000 Azure credit offer, you must consume at least 50% of those Azure credits.
• Your business must have a verified domain.
• You must provide a business contact email.
• You must provide a product demo video.

Sign in to Founders Hub and visit the Home page to complete the tasks in your verification checklist and submit your request.

How do I get an Azure credit offer of $50,000?

To be considered for an Azure credit offer of $50,000, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Your business must be a verified legal entity.
• If you were previously granted a $25,000 Azure credit offer, you must consume at least 50% of those Azure credits.
• Your business must have a verified domain.
• You must provide a business contact email.
• You must provide a product demo video.
• You must add a new team member.
• Your account has a strong Engagement score.

Sign in to Founders Hub and visit the Home page to complete the tasks in your verification checklist. Your account is reviewed approximately 45 days before your credits are due to expire. If approved, your account is automatically granted more credits and time in program.

How do I get an Azure credit offer of $150,000?

To be considered for an Azure credit offer up to $150,000, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Your business must be a verified legal entity.
• If you were previously granted a $50,000 Azure credit offer, you must consume at least 50% of those Azure credits.
• Your business must have a verified domain.
• You must provide a business contact email.
• You must provide a product demo video.
• You must add a new team member.
• Your account has a strong Engagement score.
• You must provide proof of funding, partner affiliation, or customers.

Sign in to Founders Hub and visit the Home page to complete the tasks in your verification checklist. Your account is reviewed approximately 45 days before your credits are due to expire. If approved, your account is automatically granted more credits and time in program.

Azure Consumption

Why is my Azure sponsorship consumption incorrect or missing?

While you're using credits, your consumption data is available in the Azure Sponsorships portal.

Founders Hub Support