Microsoft for Startups verification issues

Question

Microsoft for Startups verification issues

Matt 0

I changed our business mailing address and I update it in Startups Hub about 3 weeks ago.

It got rejected and they asked for business registration. Follow-up email said it failed DNE check, was being terminated, and they can't provide additional info.

The company is registered in Delaware with principal office in a different state.

So, I have shared the following documents showing the principal office address and company name exactly:

Delaware tax payment certificate
Principal office state registration
Change of address certificate from principal office state

The last support email I got (and the support ticket was closed immediately):

Thank you for your interest in Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. Our team reviews every application and evaluates whether each company meets the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub eligibility guidelines. We're not able to accept you at this time because we were not able to verify your startup account.

As far as I know, we had used less than 4k out of the initial 5k benefit so we had time to provide product demo and domain verification for the next level.

Some potential issues? See if any of these make sense.

We have not uploaded a product demo, which we were planning to do this week but no way to upload it at this point because I can't access Startup Hub anymore.
The primary contact email in Startup Hub is a shared mailbox used by our technical team.
The primary contact email is registered to a Google Workspace account we had before joining Startup Hub.

Questions:

Has anyone encountered this situation and how did you resolve it? We are not getting any specific reason for the rejection despite asking multiple times.
What other information could we be missing or mixing up that makes verification impossible?
If one is kicked out like this, could you reapply and what changes could you make to ensure the startup account is easy to verify?

Thank you.

Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-16T17:12:03.6066667+00:00

Hi Matt,

Verification issues in Microsoft for Startups can occur during the business or domain verification process, which is necessary to confirm that your startup is a legally registered entity and that the domain provided belongs to your business. This step is essential for unlocking Azure credits and other program benefits. The process usually takes up to seven business days, so it’s recommended to start early and ensure all documents are up to date—specifically within the last 12 months. Make sure the business name and address in your documents exactly match your Founders Hub profile. If any changes are made to your startup information, such as the name or address, it may trigger a new verification process. In case of repeated verification failures, you can upload additional documents like domain purchase receipts or business registration records using the "Re-verify Domain" option on the Founders Hub homepage. It’s also important to verify that the domain listed in your profile is correct and that you provide clear proof of ownership. Then, select "Domain registry confirmation records" as the document type, upload the relevant document showing proof of ownership, and ensure that the information provided matches your Founders Hub profile exactly.

Please refer to the doc, Business and Domain Verification

If the issue persists, we recommend reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance Submit Support Request.

Thank you.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T18:33:15.9166667+00:00

Hi Rakesh,

Thanks for the explanation. I tried to access Startup Hub but got an error message, which means I can't verify the domain listed (if any) or know how to verify it otherwise. I have contacted support multiple times already but they don't provide additional clarification.

The message I also received indicate it has to do with business verification or "startup account."

The business name, address, and registration number match exactly so it is not clear what the issue is. And I shared a link to the same official government document online as well as the DNB DUNS profile online.

I'm sure I can provide any information/documentation needed, if only I know what specific cause of the verification failure is. We have receipts showing the business name for all purchases, including domain name purchases.

I'm just left guessing what could possibly be the problem at this point.

Thanks
Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-17T01:06:03.9433333+00:00

Hi Matt,

Could you please share the support ticket number with us? This will allow us to check internally and assist you in resolving the issue.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T13:12:47.1966667+00:00

Thank you, Rakesh. This is the ticket ID: TrackingID#2504020040012608.

The main thing I'm asking for is clarity about what is needed. I believe we have all the evidence but need to know what we might be missing.

Since I get the attached error message when I try to login to Startup Hub, I'd need to know if there is anything needed beyond the screenshot I shared in the earlier message.

Thank you
Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-17T14:07:08.7733333+00:00

Hi Matt,

Thank you for sharing the support ticket details. We’ll connect with the support team internally to assist in resolving your issue.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T19:03:34.2566667+00:00

Sounds good. Thanks
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-21T17:27:56.88+00:00

Hi @Rakesh Gurram do you have any update on this case? I just need to know what the next steps should be, even if it is to apply again. If so, when? If so, share what type of information to provide in a new application. E.g. we have ready to go: domain verification documents, product demo, business registration. And since the same error message is still showing in Founders Hub for me, even though I can see from your responses to other users that the login issue was supposed to have been resolved this morning.We are waiting for your response to decide our product launch strategy and timeline.Thank you.
SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 48,631 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-04-25T19:28:49.6666667+00:00

@Matt As per case - 2504020040012608 notes, the documents you shared has been shared with the concerned team for review.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-28T03:26:05.6966667+00:00
Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT I got an email that the case was closed. See attached. Still, no explanation of why the case was closed without being resolved.

I genuinely don't understand why this level of uncertainty and unpredictability can be allowed in a program meant for startups that are already dealing with a lot of moving parts. The dismissive support is the most confusing/unsettling part of this, which has been going on for more than 4 weeks now.

Here are the documents I have:

Startup company tax report from Delaware

Company is a corporation

Startup registration from principal office state

Also includes link to government website showing the exact same information.

Company domain invoice

Product/App domain invoice

Company domain is forwarded to product domain so no doubt about ownership.

Contact email is from company domain

Company name is showing on product landing page

All of these documents show exactly the same company address and company name. All the documents were issued this year so less than 12 months.

The company was previously accepted and verified for Level 2 for $5000. The only thing that has changed is company address, which is reflected in all updated documents.

Since the issue has to do with verification. I just wish someone would say fix or provide a, b, and c. But there is no explanation, just the same dismissive copy and paste message. I was a blue badge and know they can do better for sure.

I can forward all of these documents and links to you if you dm me.

Thanks.

Your answer

Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-16T17:12:03.6066667+00:00

Hi Matt,

Verification issues in Microsoft for Startups can occur during the business or domain verification process, which is necessary to confirm that your startup is a legally registered entity and that the domain provided belongs to your business. This step is essential for unlocking Azure credits and other program benefits. The process usually takes up to seven business days, so it’s recommended to start early and ensure all documents are up to date—specifically within the last 12 months. Make sure the business name and address in your documents exactly match your Founders Hub profile. If any changes are made to your startup information, such as the name or address, it may trigger a new verification process. In case of repeated verification failures, you can upload additional documents like domain purchase receipts or business registration records using the "Re-verify Domain" option on the Founders Hub homepage. It’s also important to verify that the domain listed in your profile is correct and that you provide clear proof of ownership. Then, select "Domain registry confirmation records" as the document type, upload the relevant document showing proof of ownership, and ensure that the information provided matches your Founders Hub profile exactly.

Please refer to the doc, Business and Domain Verification

If the issue persists, we recommend reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance Submit Support Request.

Thank you.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T18:33:15.9166667+00:00

Hi Rakesh,

Thanks for the explanation. I tried to access Startup Hub but got an error message, which means I can't verify the domain listed (if any) or know how to verify it otherwise. I have contacted support multiple times already but they don't provide additional clarification.

The message I also received indicate it has to do with business verification or "startup account."

The business name, address, and registration number match exactly so it is not clear what the issue is. And I shared a link to the same official government document online as well as the DNB DUNS profile online.

I'm sure I can provide any information/documentation needed, if only I know what specific cause of the verification failure is. We have receipts showing the business name for all purchases, including domain name purchases.

I'm just left guessing what could possibly be the problem at this point.

Thanks
Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-17T01:06:03.9433333+00:00

Hi Matt,

Could you please share the support ticket number with us? This will allow us to check internally and assist you in resolving the issue.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T13:12:47.1966667+00:00

Thank you, Rakesh. This is the ticket ID: TrackingID#2504020040012608.

The main thing I'm asking for is clarity about what is needed. I believe we have all the evidence but need to know what we might be missing.

Since I get the attached error message when I try to login to Startup Hub, I'd need to know if there is anything needed beyond the screenshot I shared in the earlier message.

Thank you
Rakesh Gurram 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-17T14:07:08.7733333+00:00

Hi Matt,

Thank you for sharing the support ticket details. We’ll connect with the support team internally to assist in resolving your issue.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T19:03:34.2566667+00:00

Sounds good. Thanks
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-21T17:27:56.88+00:00

Hi @Rakesh Gurram do you have any update on this case? I just need to know what the next steps should be, even if it is to apply again. If so, when? If so, share what type of information to provide in a new application. E.g. we have ready to go: domain verification documents, product demo, business registration. And since the same error message is still showing in Founders Hub for me, even though I can see from your responses to other users that the login issue was supposed to have been resolved this morning.We are waiting for your response to decide our product launch strategy and timeline.Thank you.
SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 48,631 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-04-25T19:28:49.6666667+00:00

@Matt As per case - 2504020040012608 notes, the documents you shared has been shared with the concerned team for review.
Matt 0 Reputation points

2025-04-28T03:26:05.6966667+00:00

Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT I got an email that the case was closed. See attached. Still, no explanation of why the case was closed without being resolved.

I genuinely don't understand why this level of uncertainty and unpredictability can be allowed in a program meant for startups that are already dealing with a lot of moving parts. The dismissive support is the most confusing/unsettling part of this, which has been going on for more than 4 weeks now.

Here are the documents I have:

Startup company tax report from Delaware

Company is a corporation

Startup registration from principal office state

Also includes link to government website showing the exact same information.

Company domain invoice

Product/App domain invoice

Company domain is forwarded to product domain so no doubt about ownership.

Contact email is from company domain

Company name is showing on product landing page

All of these documents show exactly the same company address and company name. All the documents were issued this year so less than 12 months.

The company was previously accepted and verified for Level 2 for $5000. The only thing that has changed is company address, which is reflected in all updated documents.

Since the issue has to do with verification. I just wish someone would say fix or provide a, b, and c. But there is no explanation, just the same dismissive copy and paste message. I was a blue badge and know they can do better for sure.

I can forward all of these documents and links to you if you dm me.

Thanks.

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Microsoft for Startups verification issues

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