Founders Hub is Microsoft's self-serve program giving startups Azure credits plus access to Azure OpenAI, GitHub, and Microsoft 365. It's unusually open: no VC, accelerator, or referral is required to start, and credits scale as you verify your business, up to the $100k+ investor tier. Microsoft does not publish the per-tier amounts on its landing page, so treat the steps between tiers as indicative and confirm your allocation when you apply.
- Potential value:
- $150k in credits
- Provider:
- Microsoft
- Referral needed:
- No
Why this could be a strong fit
The most accessible entry point. Bootstrapped and pre-revenue founders can start instantly, and the bundled GitHub/M365/OpenAI access adds value beyond raw cloud credits.
What you need to qualify
- Building a software-based product or service
- Headquartered in a country where Azure services are available
- Basic tier: email verification; Enhanced tier: business verification
- Not headquartered in an embargoed country
- Investor/accelerator affiliation to access the $100,000+ tier
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A+
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
How to apply
- 1
Sign up with an email
Start at the Founders Hub site (Basic tier, ~$1,000).
- 2
Verify your business
Complete business verification to unlock the Enhanced tier (~$5,000).
- 3
Add investor affiliation
Link a qualifying VC/accelerator to access $100,000+ in credits.
- 4
Activate benefits
Claim Azure credits, Azure OpenAI, GitHub, and M365 perks.