Founders often ask one simple question before choosing a cloud provider: How far can I go without burning cash on infrastructure?
The answer becomes much easier once you discover that Microsoft offers up to 150 thousand dollars in free Azure credits to eligible startups. The tricky part is understanding how to unlock the maximum tier, what the requirements look like, and how to use the credits strategically so nothing goes to waste.
This review breaks everything down in a practical, founder-first way. You will learn how the credit tiers work, what makes Microsoft for Startups different from traditional accelerator programs, and how to apply through XRaise to get your credits approved faster. You will also see how these credits fit into a modern startup stack alongside tools like Mixpanel, Zendesk, and Spiky AI.
Let’s start with the basics.
What Are Microsoft Azure Credits and Why Do Startups Care?
Many early teams spend a painful amount of their runway on cloud bills. Even simple workloads can add up quickly once databases, storage, and AI models enter the mix. Azure credits solve that problem by giving founders access to enterprise-grade cloud power without paying upfront.
Azure credits let you run:
- Production-grade virtual machines
- Managed databases
- Storage and CDN
- Kubernetes clusters
- Azure AI and Azure OpenAI GPT models
- CI and DevOps pipelines
Instead of limiting you to a small sandbox, Microsoft gives you the same high-performance infrastructure used by global enterprises. Because of that, many B2B SaaS teams see it as the ideal launchpad for both MVP development and early scaling.
The best part is that you do not need existing traction or funding to apply. Microsoft for Startups is open to founders who are still refining their idea, as long as they have a real product vision and a registered legal entity.
How Do You Get Microsoft Azure Credits Through XRaise?
Before diving into all the technical perks, let’s answer the question founders ask most often: What is the fastest way to get approved?
Applying through XRaise keeps the process simple and gives you a direct path to unlocking credits.
Follow these steps:
1. Visit the Microsoft Azure Credits page on XRaise
You will see an overview of the perk, summary of tiers, and the apply button.
2. Complete the short form with your name, email, and startup website
Using a business email increases approval speed.
3. Wait for your credits and instructions
XRaise sends your activation steps within twenty four hours so you can get started immediately.
Since the program is open to startups at different stages, founders often receive their first tier fairly quickly.
What Exactly Is Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub?
If you want to review Microsoft’s official program details, you can also visit the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub website, although the fastest way to access the credits is still through XRaise.
Many founders assume this program is simply a credit bundle. In reality, it is a broader platform designed to help startups build faster and reduce tech debt during their earliest months. Microsoft positions the Founders Hub as a long-term support system rather than a traditional accelerator.
Here is what you get beyond cloud credits:
- GitHub Enterprise for secure version control
- Visual Studio for development and testing
- Microsoft 365 for productivity
- LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator for hiring and sales outreach
- One-to-one technical sessions with Microsoft engineers
- Exclusive Azure AI tooling
- Mentorship and technical guidance for architecture decisions
Because everything sits inside the Microsoft ecosystem, you can ship features earlier without juggling multiple paid tools. Early teams with limited resources usually find this extremely valuable.
Another advantage is accessibility. You do not need to give up equity, attend a cohort, or show previous customer traction. You simply need to be building a real software product and meet the eligibility criteria.
How Much Are the Azure Credits Worth?
Microsoft uses a tiered system that rewards startups as they grow and engage with the platform. Although the top tier is the most well-known, the earlier tiers are often enough for MVP development and pre-seed growth.
Here is a clear breakdown:
- 1 thousand dollars for founders with a strong LinkedIn profile
- 5 thousand dollars after verifying your legal entity and domain
- 25 thousand dollars once you share a product demo and some usage activity
- 150 thousand dollars for teams showing consistent Azure engagement
You can use these credits across almost all Azure services, including:
- Azure Virtual Machines
- Azure SQL and PostgreSQL
- Storage and CDN
- Azure Kubernetes Service
- Azure AI and OpenAI GPT models
- Container Registry
- Serverless compute
This flexibility helps founders build production systems without worrying about immediate costs.
Eligibility and Founder Tips to Unlock the Maximum Tier
While Microsoft keeps its requirements flexible, you still need to follow a few guidelines to move smoothly through each tier. Many founders lose time by missing small but important details, so let’s cover those clearly.
You must:
- Register a legal entity
- Use a business email instead of a personal email
- Develop an original software product
- Operate in a region where Azure is supported
- Have received less than ten thousand dollars in Azure credits before applying
- Be earlier than Series D
These guidelines are manageable for most early teams, but approval is easier when you follow a few strategic tips:
- Create a strong LinkedIn presence before applying
- Record a short product demo video
- Build a basic usage plan so you can show intent
- Do not activate credits before you are ready to ship
- Keep your domain verified and active
Since your credit bundles expire after twelve months, it is better to schedule your activation window around real development activity.
What You Receive at Each Tier
To help you plan your roadmap, here is a simple view of how the four main levels work.
| Tier | Credit Amount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1 thousand dollars | LinkedIn profile and idea |
| Level 2 | 5 thousand dollars | Legal verification and business email |
| Level 3 | 25 thousand dollars | Product demo and some Azure usage |
| Level 4 | 150 thousand dollars | Strong engagement score and active workloads |
Your engagement score improves as you increase activity across services and maintain a consistent deployment footprint. Since the scoring model is dynamic, treating Azure as your primary cloud often accelerates your progression.
Who Should Use Microsoft Azure Credits?
Technology teams in nearly every category can benefit from this perk. However, a few founder profiles gain especially strong value:
- AI and machine learning startups running GPT-4, embeddings, model fine-tuning, or vector databases
- B2B SaaS products targeting enterprise or regulated clients
- Fintech, healthtech, or compliance-heavy platforms that prefer enterprise security standards
- Teams building analytics products that require strong compute power
- Early founders validating MVPs with minimal budgets
If your product will eventually serve larger organizations, Azure’s ecosystem aligns well with enterprise expectations. Many founders choose Microsoft for this reason alone.
How to Combine Azure Credits With Your Startup Tool Stack
Credits become much more powerful once you layer them with the right analytics, support, and AI tools. Since Azure handles your infrastructure, you can focus on product and growth.
Here are smart combinations used by early teams:
- Mixpanel for product analytics
Use your Azure backend alongside Mixpanel’s event tracking to analyse user behavior without paying full price. You can access the Mixpanel perk through XRaise. - Zendesk for customer support
If your SaaS product interacts with enterprise clients, Zendesk integrates cleanly with Azure and helps you build a scalable support function. The Zendesk perk also lives inside XRaise. - Spiky AI for call intelligence
Startups running sales demos or support calls often pair Azure services with Spiky AI to extract insights and track conversion patterns. - Pomelli
When building on Azure, many founders also adopt AI-driven marketing tools. If you want to automate marketing content while hosting your backend on Azure, AI engines like Pomelli can help you generate brand-aware messaging at scale. You can also learn more here.
These combinations accelerate product development while dramatically lowering costs during the first year.
Best Alternatives to Microsoft Azure Credits
Although Microsoft is a strong option for most early teams, you may want to compare major cloud providers before committing. Two alternatives stand out.
1. AWS Activate
AWS is the most widely adopted cloud for startups. Its credits can reach up to one hundred thousand dollars. However, the onboarding process is more complex and the eligibility criteria are stricter.
2. Google for Startups Cloud
Google offers up to two hundred thousand dollars in credits and has excellent AI tools. That said, you receive fewer business productivity tools compared to the Microsoft ecosystem.
If your startup relies heavily on AI or requires deep enterprise integrations, Azure tends to offer the most complete early-stage package.
To explore more options, you can also visit the Startup Perks Directory inside XRaise.
FAQs
Is the Microsoft promo code free to use?
Yes, the credits are completely free. You receive them in levels based on how you use Azure.
Can I combine these credits with other Microsoft offers?
No. If your startup has already received more than ten thousand dollars in Azure credits, you cannot apply again.
What happens once my credits expire?
Your plan converts to pay as you go. It is important to track usage so you do not run into unexpected charges.
Do I need to give Microsoft equity?
No. The program is zero equity.
What is the engagement score?
It measures your activity across Azure services. A higher score increases your chances of unlocking larger credit tiers.
Can agencies or outsourcing firms apply?
No. Only startups building original products are eligible.
Final Thought
If you want to build faster without worrying about early cloud costs, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is one of the most generous options available. With credit tiers that reach one hundred fifty thousand dollars and an ecosystem filled with productivity tools, AI services, and mentorship, the program gives founders a real advantage during their first phase of growth.
You can apply directly through XRaise and receive your activation steps in less than a day. Thousands of early teams have already used these credits to reduce burn and launch their first version sooner. If you want the same head start, you can begin your application below.
Claim your Microsoft startup credits on XRaise today.
