Microsoft for Startups Milestone 3 evaluation stuck despite 10+ Azure workloads — credits expire Nov 30

Venkata Dandey 0 Reputation points
2026-10-15T17:00:31.8666667+00:00

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking guidance on a stalled Microsoft for Startups Milestone 3 evaluation.

Account status:

  • Milestone 2 reached ($5K of $150K unlocked).

~$2.4K credits remaining, expiring November 30, 2026.

Previous support case closed with the explanation that milestone progression is fully automated.

Azure usage (last 60+ days):

12+ billed Azure services and 27 distinct resource types.

10+ workloads, including managed PostgreSQL, storage, and monitoring, running continuously.

Approximately $735 in paid consumption.

The stated criterion is 5+ Azure workloads over a sustained period (~60 days). Despite exceeding this, Milestone 3 hasn't unlocked.

Question: Why might the automated evaluation not trigger, and is there an escalation path for review before my credits expire?

Thanks for any guidance!

Azure | Azure Startups
Azure | Azure Startups

Startups: Companies that are in their initial stages of business and typically developing a business model and seeking financing.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-15T17:00:50.2633333+00:00

    Milestone 3 progression is based on 5+ Azure workloads used continuously for about 60 days, and the 60-day clock starts only when the required number of workloads each have at least $1 in spend. Every counted workload must stay above that threshold for the full 60 days. If any counted workload drops below $1 during that period, the count falls under the requirement and the 60-day period effectively has to complete again once the threshold is restored.

    A workload is evaluated as an Azure service actively used in the solution, such as VMs, AI services, databases, or application hosting. Distinct services like managed PostgreSQL, storage, and monitoring can count as separate workloads.

    The milestone review is automatic. There is no separate application for Milestone 3, and credit updates can take time to appear after the requirement is met. Microsoft states that automatic verification and update processing may take up to 30 days.

    For the escalation path, the available documented route is to contact support through the Microsoft for Startups portal when automated progression or activation issues need review. The public support entry point provided is https://aka.ms/startuphelp-mfs-portal.

    Given the current situation, the practical checks are:

    1. Confirm that at least 5 distinct Azure services each stayed above $1 spend for 60 continuous days.
    2. Do not rely on resource type count alone; milestone guidance is based on Azure services/workloads, not the number of resource types.
    3. Allow for up to 30 days after the requirement is satisfied for the automated credit update to appear.
    4. If that window has already passed, use the Startups support portal to request review before the November 30, 2026 expiration.

    Credits activated through Microsoft for Startups are valid for up to two years, and extensions are not available. If credits are exhausted or sponsorship ends, Azure usage continues under the applicable commercial billing arrangement, such as pay-as-you-go.

    References:

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