Eligible startups may receive up to 20 GitHub Enterprise Cloud licenses for one year through Microsoft for Startups—but this is a limited, one-time benefit, not free GitHub access for every company. You must be backed by an organization in Microsoft’s Investor Network, see the benefit in the Azure portal, and redeem it for a new Enterprise account. Some GitHub services and usage remain billable.
What the Microsoft GitHub offer includes
Microsoft’s current GitHub Enterprise benefit guide says the offer includes 20 GitHub Enterprise Cloud licenses for one year. It is available once per startup, and the number of included seats is capped at 20.
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The benefit covers core Enterprise capabilities, including centralized administration, security and policy controls, repositories, issues, pull requests, GitHub Actions, and Packages. It is a license benefit rather than a general cash balance: Azure credits cannot be used to pay for the Enterprise licenses.
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Who may qualify—and how to check
The specific GitHub benefit is for startups backed by a venture capital firm, accelerator, incubator, or university that belongs to the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network. Meeting Microsoft for Startups’ general criteria alone does not guarantee access to this GitHub benefit; it must also appear in the startup’s Benefits page in the Azure portal.
Microsoft’s general program criteria include a privately held, for-profit company developing a software-based product or service; headquarters in a country where Azure services are available; no more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits; and no Series C or later funding. These are general program requirements, separate from the additional Investor Network backing required for this particular benefit. Microsoft says applications are typically reviewed within three business days. See its Microsoft for Startups overview and Investor Network benefits information for current program details.
- Sign in to the Azure portal and open the Microsoft for Startups Benefits page.
- Check whether the GitHub Enterprise benefit is listed for your startup. Availability is not necessarily provisioned automatically.
- If it is available, copy the redemption code and redeem it at github.com/redeem.
- Create a new GitHub Enterprise account for the redemption. An existing Enterprise account cannot use this coupon.
- Add a valid credit card or PayPal account. Microsoft says a temporary authorization hold may occur. An Azure subscription is optional, but Azure credits do not cover the Enterprise licenses.
What remains billable
The included licenses do not make every GitHub service or every level of usage free. Microsoft lists these as separately billed:
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- GitHub Copilot at all tiers
- GitHub Advanced Security, including Code Security and Secret Protection
- Enterprise licenses beyond the included 20
- GitHub Actions usage overages and larger runners
- Optional add-ons
Azure may be used to pay for metered GitHub add-ons such as Copilot, according to Microsoft’s guide, but not for the Enterprise license fees. Review the account’s metered usage and payment method so charges for excluded services do not come as a surprise.
What happens when the year ends
Microsoft warns that the Enterprise account continues as a paid account when the benefit expires unless the account owner downgrades or deletes it before expiration. Keep track of the benefit end date, and decide in advance whether to continue on a paid plan, downgrade, or delete the Enterprise account. Any metered products or add-ons also require attention because they are billed separately.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How this differs from GitHub’s own startup offer
GitHub runs a separate GitHub for Startups program. Its official program page and terms describe up to $10,000 in credits for up to 12 months, usable for Enterprise and eligible add-ons. Those credits may run out before 12 months, and active products then transition to standard paid billing. This is not the Microsoft benefit, which provides a set number of licenses for one year.
| Term | Microsoft for Startups benefit | GitHub for Startups program |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit | Up to 20 GitHub Enterprise Cloud licenses | Up to $10,000 in credits for Enterprise and eligible add-ons |
| Duration | One year | Up to 12 months, or until credits are consumed |
| Eligibility route | Investor Network backing, Microsoft for Startups eligibility, and benefit availability in the Azure portal | Affiliation with an approved GitHub for Startups partner and outside funding up to Series B or earlier |
| Prior-benefit restrictions | Available once per startup; a new Enterprise account is required | Requires being new to Enterprise or off an Enterprise plan for at least six months, with no prior GitHub credits or licenses; prior Enterprise credits through Microsoft or GitHub for Startups disqualify a startup from additional credits |
| After expiration | The account continues as paid unless downgraded or deleted before expiration | Active products transition to standard paid billing when credits are consumed or the program expires |
The two programs have different qualifications, benefit structures, payment implications, and expiry rules. Check the current terms for the specific offer you plan to use; do not assume that eligibility or credits from one program apply to the other.
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