Founders Hub Submission

Hi @ Censored02,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Platform.

It sounds like you’re ready to reapply for the Microsoft for Startups (Founders Hub) offer now that you’ve got a live product on Azure and official tech disclosure through LSU. Here’s what you can try next:

Review the program tiers & eligibility

• Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer (formerly Founders Hub) assigns you to one of four levels (Ideate, Develop, Grow, Scale) based on your stage.
• Since you’ve launched a live product, you’d likely qualify at the Grow level (up to $25K in credits) or Scale (up to $100K), depending on traction.

Prepare your application materials

• Have your runshepherd.com URL and screenshots of your live deployment ready.
• Include your LSU Innovation & Technology Commercialization review (tracking ID).
• Gather any business registration documents or pitch deck.

Sign in and submit a new application

• Go to https://portal.startups.microsoft.com/signup and sign in with the same Microsoft Account you want on your Azure tenant.
• Complete the application form, upload your updated details, and paste in your LSU tracking ID.
• If you have an Investor Referral Code (from a partner or program), redeem it during signup.

Ensure you have tenant admin ownership

• If you previously enrolled and can’t see the option to reapply, make sure there’s an active global admin on your Entra ID tenant.

You can take administrative ownership by following these steps: https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/users/domains-admin-takeover

Contact support if you hit a verification snag

• If you don’t activate your Azure credits within 90 days of acceptance, you’re removed from the program, but you can reapply or ask support to reinstate you.
• Use the “Contact Billing support” link in your Startups Portal if you get stuck on any eligibility or verification step.

Hope that helps you get back into the program! Let me know if you run into any specific errors or need more guidance

Reference :

Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer application & tiers: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-for-startups/application?source=recommendations
Startups portal signup & credit redemption: https://portal.startups.microsoft.com/signup

Admin takeover steps for your Entra tenant: https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/users/domains-admin-takeover

Pleaseand “up-vote” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.

Hello Censored02 To contact support regarding your eligibility for Azure sponsorship credits, you can use the following steps:

Here are the steps you can follow to create support requests:

• Go to Azure portal > Search for Help + Support or https://portal.azure.com/#view/Microsoft_Azure_Support/HelpAndSupportBlade/~/overview
• Click on Create a Support Request.
• On right-side panel, enter Billing and click Go > select the issue with "Billing" > select your Subscription then click Next.
• Do not click on any suggested articles instead click on the Create support request on top of the panel.
• Select the Issue type as Billing and, select the summary, problem type and problem subtype as per your issue like below > then click on Next.
• Do not click on any recommendation solution/article, instead click on the Return to support request then click Next.
  • Fill all the required information and provide a clear description of your issue and click Next.
    • Review and create as submit the support request.
      • You should receive an automated email within a few minutes and then be contacted by support team.

Kindly check the below documentation for more details: How to create an Azure support request - Azure supportability | Microsoft Learn

Hope this helps! If you encounter any issues, please reach out to us. If the provided answer was helpful, please click Accept the Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

To reapply or request reconsideration, use the standard Microsoft for Startups application and support channels:

1. If the original application was for the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer:
   • Ensure eligibility now matches the program requirements (for example: affiliated investor in the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network, under the funding and credit limits, software-based product owned by the startup, headquartered in an Azure-available country, etc.). Eligibility criteria are listed under Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer Eligibility.
   • If still working with the same investor, request their referral code again and submit a new application at https://startups.microsoft.com/ using that code. Applications can be resubmitted 14 days after a decline.
2. If the application was via the general startup path (Azure startup credit offer / Founders Hub entry point):
   • The Azure startup credit offer does not require an application; eligible startups can get up to $5,000 in credits by following the Azure startup credit flow described in the “Get up to $5,000 in Azure credits to build and grow your startup” documentation.
   • If the goal is to move into the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer tier later, that still requires affiliation with an investor in the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network and a valid referral code.
3. For direct help and reconsideration:
   • If there is access to the Microsoft for Startups Portal (for example, from a previous or partial enrollment), sign in to the portal and submit a program support request describing that the product is now live on Azure and asking for guidance on reapplying.
     • In the portal: select the “?” icon in the top-right corner → “Submit a Support Ticket” and include details about the live Azure deployment, domain, and prior application.
   • If not yet in the program and there is no portal access, follow the documented application path again (using a valid investor referral code if applying for the Investor Offer) and wait for the standard review (typically about three business days). If declined again, the decline email will include the reason; reapplication is allowed after 14 days if circumstances change.
4. If only Azure credits and technical guidance are needed (and there is no eligible investor affiliation yet):
   • Use the Azure startup credit offer path to receive up to $5,000 in Azure credits.
   • Once credits are active and if approved for at least $5,000, request Azure advisory sessions (1:1 guidance with Azure engineers) via Founders Hub → Guidance → “Get paired with an advisor.”

In all cases, keep an eye on the decision email for the previous application; it contains the specific decline reason and confirms when reapplication is allowed.

References:

• What is Microsoft for Startups?
• Applying for the Microsoft for Startups Investor Offer
• Get up to $5,000 in Azure credits to build and grow your startup
• Microsoft for Startups Portal
• Azure experience for founders
• Technical Guidance & Support Overview