Microsoft for Startups (Founders Hub)

What it is

In-kind cloud credits, not a cash grant — Microsoft for Startups gives early-stage B2B software startups up to $150,000 USD in Azure credits plus AI tools and go-to-market support, with no equity taken. Everyone gets $200 starter credits at signup and expanded credits on approval; the top credit tiers require a referral code from a VC or accelerator in Microsoft's Investor Network.

Verified 2026-08-21 on microsoft.com ('up to $150,000 in credits') and learn.microsoft.com application overview (updated Jun 2026): eligibility is early-stage B2B startups, pre-seed through Series C, building software/AI/technology solutions, working toward MVP/product-market fit, privately held (not subsidiaries), headquartered where the programme operates. Signup gives $200 starter Azure credits; approval (~3 business days) unlocks expanded credits; the highest tiers (up to $150,000) require a 10-character Investor Network referral code from an affiliated VC/accelerator/incubator, with a cap of under $350,000 lifetime free Azure credits. valueMax £118,500 is an indicative GBP conversion (~0.79) of the funder-stated US$150,000 — credits are USD-denominated, in-kind (not cash), and rolling with no deadline. Programme restructured in 2025: the old self-serve Founders Hub tier ladder is gone; two Notion variant pages describe this same scheme (one was already marked withdrawn as a duplicate).