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Microsoft Just Ambushed My Veteran Owned Startup – This is How You Make Enemies, Not Partners

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CIS Derek 0 Reputation points
2025-07-23T16:36:14.9966667+00:00

I’m the owner of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) startup, inches from breaking into a multi-million-dollar growth stage. We built our business model around Microsoft’s Startup Founders Hub program and its promise of up to $150k in Azure credits.

I did what Microsoft told startups to do: I architected my product for Azure, hit their milestones, and reached the $25k usage tier. Then, without warning, Microsoft changed the rules and cut off the credits I was relying on—roughly $100k gone overnight.

This isn’t just a “policy change.” This is a bait-and-switch. They lured startups in with big promises, had us build infrastructure around their cloud, and then pulled the rug out right when we’re scaling. For me, that means state-level SaaS deployments now hang in the balance.

Startups like mine don’t have deep pockets or VC money. These credits were the lifeline that allowed us to bootstrap and avoid selling equity too soon. Now, after doing everything right, Microsoft pulled support when it mattered most.

This is how you make enemies, not partners.

If Microsoft is willing to burn veteran-owned businesses—and founders who bet their companies on Azure—what message does that send to every other startup? Why would any founder trust Microsoft’s programs or promises going forward?

I’m calling this out because I know I’m not the only one. If you were affected by this, speak up. This isn’t how you build an ecosystem, this is how you poison one.

Microsoft, you’ve turned one of your biggest advocates into a vocal critic overnight.

Azure | Azure Startups

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