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Startups and partner programs

Programs that help young and software companies build and sell on Microsoft: Microsoft for Startups (the Founders Hub name is retired) with Azure credits and support, its Investor Network track, and Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace for publishing and selling through Microsoft Marketplace.

1 technology profile in this area

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Overview

Microsoft for Startups changed on July 2, 2025: the Founders Hub name, the Expert Network and the Champion Network were retired, and access split into an investor-referral path and a self-service Azure startup credit offer for companies new to Azure. A later Microsoft for Startups blog post dated June 2 describes a single application path with up to $150,000 in Startup credits over time, growing with service adoption, plus extra credits for startups backed by Investor Network partners.

For software companies ready to sell, Microsoft's former ISV Success page now redirects to Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace, a partner program path to build, publish and grow through Microsoft Marketplace. Microsoft states that Premium members receive $30,000 in Azure sponsorship and guidance from a named engagement manager.

Credits expire, after which Azure accounts move to pay-as-you-go, so plan costs beyond the credit period. A company that does not need Azure-scale infrastructure may not need these programs at all.1234

Problems it addresses

  • Early infrastructure cost5

    Startup credits cover eligible Azure services from development through production; Microsoft states up to $150,000 over time.

  • Old program names1

    Founders Hub is no longer a program name; Microsoft now refers to everything simply as Microsoft for Startups.

  • Reaching enterprise buyers2

    Marketplace and co-sell support let startups sell through customers' existing Azure budgets and work with Microsoft sellers.

  • Life after credits1

    When credits expire, accounts switch to pay-as-you-go pricing.

A typical workflow

  1. Apply2

    Apply on the Microsoft for Startups site; startups backed by Investor Network partners receive additional credits.

  2. Build2

    Use Startup credits on Azure services and the AI tools in Microsoft Foundry.

  3. Prepare to sell4

    Join Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace for a development sandbox, credits including Microsoft Foundry and GitHub Copilot, and listing guidance.

  4. Publish and co-sell4

    List the solution in Microsoft Marketplace and work toward co-sell eligibility.

Technologies

  • Program

    Microsoft for Startups

    Microsoft for Startups gives early-stage software startups Azure credits that grow with verified progress (Microsoft's pages say up to $150,000), plus technical guidance and go-to-market help. It replaced the Founders Hub name in July 2025. Microsoft's own pages state different starter credit amounts.

    • Programs
    • Infrastructure

Startup Program Match

Which Microsoft startup program fits your company, and whether you are likely to qualify.

Open the lab

Next steps

  1. Ask your investor or accelerator whether it belongs to the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network.

  2. Model your Azure bill for the month after credits expire.

  3. Use the Startup Program Match to see which route fits your stage.

Sources

  1. Changes to the Microsoft for Startups program: July 2, 2025 (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Vendor-reported
  2. Microsoft for Startups introduces a clearer path from AI development to enterprise growth (blog, dated June 2) (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Vendor-reported
  3. ISV Success (now redirects to Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace) (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Vendor-reported
  4. Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Vendor-reported
  5. Microsoft for Startups home page (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Vendor-reported

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