Founder guide · Checked 28 October 2026
What Microsoft for Startups (Founders Hub) offers and how to join
Microsoft for Startups (Founders Hub) gives startups up to $150,000 in Azure credits and access to AI tools, developer resources, and enterprise support.
By the StartupReader guides desk · 3 min read · Built from 4 official pages and re-checked monthly. Independent; not affiliated with the program.
Microsoft for Startups
- maximum Azure credits
- $150,000
- credit burn review checkpoints
- six months
- covered Kubernetes service
- AKS
- requires Azure billing setup
- GitHub
What Microsoft for Startups offers
Microsoft for Startups provides startup credits, AI tools, and technical resources to help founders build, scale, and sell. Credits apply to eligible Azure services used through a sponsored Azure subscription.
The program includes access to industry-leading AI services, developer tools, and technical guidance. Startups also get resources for replication, modernization, and go-to-market support.
- Startup credits: up to $150,000 for eligible Azure services
- AI tools: access to Microsoft Foundry models and Azure AI services
- Technical resources: documentation, guides, and support for building and scaling
- Developer velocity: GitHub Copilot, Codespaces, and Actions (requires Azure billing setup)
How Azure credits work
Startup credits apply to eligible Azure services billed as standard Azure consumption. Non-Azure products, Microsoft Support Plans, and Azure Marketplace purchases are not covered.
Credits are automatically applied to your sponsored Azure subscription. When credits run out, the subscription transitions to pay-as-you-go without interrupting services.
- Compute: Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Azure Virtual Machines
- Containers: Azure Container Apps, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Data: Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB
- Storage: Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, managed disks
- Networking: Azure Front Door, Application Gateway, NAT Gateway
- Security: Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Key Vault, Defender for Cloud
- Observability: Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Log Analytics
Using credits for GitHub
GitHub usage is not covered by startup credits by default. You must connect your Azure subscription as a payment method in GitHub to apply credits to eligible services.
Eligible GitHub services include GitHub Copilot, Codespaces, and Actions. Setup involves authenticating with Azure and granting permission to validate subscription ownership.
- GitHub Copilot: accelerates coding, testing, and documentation
- GitHub Codespaces: repeatable development environments
- GitHub Actions: CI/CD pipelines for Azure deployments
Building AI products with Microsoft Foundry
Microsoft Foundry allows startups to use credits for AI workloads, including model testing, retrieval-augmented generation, and agent deployment. Models sold directly by Azure and billed through your subscription are covered.
Third-party models (including Anthropic) and partner models via Microsoft Marketplace are not covered. Fireworks models on Foundry are eligible if billed through Azure.
- Prototype model-powered features: deploy Foundry models, connect to App Service
- Retrieval-augmented generation: use Azure AI Search and Blob Storage
- Agent workflows: use Foundry projects, Key Vault, and Azure Monitor
Tracking and controlling credit spend
Create monthly budgets at 50%, 80%, and 100% of expected credit burn.
Use tags to track spend by environment, team, or feature. Review top services monthly to connect spend to product decisions.
- Budgets and alerts: notify when spend crosses thresholds
- Required tags: environment, owner, workload, stage
- Service-level review: identify spend concentration in AI, databases, or storage
- Idle cleanup: remove stale disks, unused public IPs, and test clusters
What happens when credits run out
When startup credits are depleted, your Azure subscription automatically transitions to pay-as-you-go. Applications continue running without interruption.
A credit card is required for identity verification and services not covered by credits. It ensures a smooth transition to pay-as-you-go billing.
Step by step
Microsoft for Startups, step by step
Connect GitHub to Azure for credit billing
Sign in to your GitHub account. Go to Billing and Payments in account settings. Select 'Add payment method' and choose 'Azure subscription'. Authenticate with your Azure credentials and grant permission. Select the sponsored Azure subscription and confirm the connection.
FAQ
Microsoft for Startups: questions founders ask
Do I need a credit card to join?
Yes. A credit card is required for identity verification and services not covered by credits.
Can I use credits for Azure Marketplace purchases?
No. Startup credits apply only to eligible Azure services billed as standard Azure consumption. Azure Marketplace purchases are not covered.
Are GitHub services automatically covered by credits?
No. You must connect your Azure subscription as a payment method in GitHub to apply credits to eligible GitHub services.
What happens if I exceed my credit limit?
Services continue running without interruption, but you will be billed for any usage beyond the credits.
Can I use credits for third-party AI models?
No. Credits cover models sold directly by Azure and billed through your subscription. Third-party models, including Anthropic, are not covered.
How often should I review my credit spend?
Review spend monthly. Track cost per customer or workflow to measure unit economics.
Re-checked every month
Hear when Microsoft for Startups changes
Amounts, rules and deadlines move. We'll email you when Microsoft for Startups or programs like it open, close or change, along with our weekly startup brief.
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Coming soonOfficial sources for this guide
Rules and amounts change. Check these before you apply.
- Microsoft for Startups | Microsoft — microsoft.com
- Best ways to use your startup credits | Microsoft Learn — learn.microsoft.com
- Lifecycle FAQ - Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Learn — learn.microsoft.com
- Azure Platform Foundations for Startups | Microsoft Learn — learn.microsoft.com
How this guide was made: StartupReader wrote it with AI from the official pages above, read on 28 October 2026. Every figure and name in it was checked automatically against those pages, and anything they don't support was left out. It's re-checked every month. It isn't affiliated with the program. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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