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Azure for Startups Business verification rejected — request manual review for China sole proprietorship license

Ketong Pu 0 Reputation points
2026-05-12T21:28:13.1633333+00:00

Hi Microsoft Azure for Startups team,

My application for the $5,000 Azure startup credits was rejected because my business entity could not be verified. I used a China sole proprietorship business license, and I believe the automated verification may not be able to match Chinese-language registration records with the English information I entered in Founders Hub.

I would like to request a manual review. I have attached a verification package that includes:

  1. Original China business license

厦门湖里洛洛库网络工作室（个体工商户）

  1. English translation of the business license:

Legal Business Name: Xiamen Huli Luoluoku Network Studio

Business Type: Sole Proprietorship

  1. Product website and screenshots for Datebook: https://datebook.love
  2. Description of Datebook as a software-based AI relationship assistant product Datebook is a software-based product that I own and develop. It helps users evaluate compatibility, improve communication quality, and manage relationship-related insights through user-controlled AI agents. It is not an outsourcing service, agency service, adult service, financial service, or resale business.

Could you please manually review my documents, or let me know exactly what business entity format or additional documents are required for China sole proprietorship verification?

Thank you,

JackHi Microsoft for Startups team,

My application for the $5,000 Azure startup credits was rejected because my business entity could not be verified. I used a China sole proprietorship business license, and I believe the automated verification may not be able to match Chinese-language registration records with the English information I entered in Founders Hub.

I would like to request a manual review. I have attached a verification package that includes:

  1. Original China business license

厦门湖里洛洛库网络工作室（个体工商户）

  1. English translation of the business license:

Legal Business Name: Xiamen Huli Luoluoku Network Studio

Business Type: Sole Proprietorship

  1. Product website and screenshots for Datebook: https://datebook.love
  2. Description of Datebook as a software-based AI relationship assistant product Datebook is a software-based product that I own and develop. It helps users evaluate compatibility, improve communication quality, and manage relationship-related insights through user-controlled AI agents. It is not an outsourcing service, agency service, adult service, financial service, or resale business.

Could you please manually review my documents, or let me know exactly what business entity format or additional documents are required for China sole proprietorship verification?

Thank you,

Jack

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-05-12T21:28:39.17+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Business verification for the Azure startup credit offer is fully controlled by the verification system and support channels; manual review or appeal paths are not described in the provided material for this specific offer.

    The documented guidance for additional startup credits is:

    1. To unlock up to $5,000 in Azure credits, the startup must:
      • Redeem the initial $1,000 startup credit.
      • Be a registered legal business entity.
      • Complete verification within 90 days of initial redemption.
      • Develop and own a software-based product or service that is not licensed from another party.
      • Not be a government agency, educational institution, consultancy, agency, development shop, personal blog, or crypto mining operation.
    2. Verification steps in the Azure portal are:
      • Confirm business address.
      • Provide business registration details.
      • Share a brief description of the startup. Verification may take up to seven business days, and status can be checked from the Azure portal homepage by selecting “Check verification status.”
    3. If the business cannot be verified:
      • The $1,000 startup credit can continue to be used.
      • Additional credits (up to $5,000) are not available.
    4. Verification can only be submitted once per startup, so all information must be complete and accurate before submission. If the option to verify is not visible, the documented checks are:
      • Ensure the initial $1,000 credit has been redeemed.
      • Ensure the request is within the 90‑day verification window.
      • Ensure the startup has not already been verified or denied.

    For broader regulatory and business verification in China, the documentation notes that:

    • For business entity users in China, a state‑registered business license is required for real‑name verification.
    • Compliance with local regulations (such as ICP filing and public security filing) is the responsibility of the business.

    For Microsoft for Startups (a separate program from the general Azure startup credit offer), the Microsoft for Startups Portal can be used to:

    • Manage membership and Azure credits.
    • Submit a program support request.
    • Request Azure technical guidance.

    In that portal, support tickets can be submitted (with documents and screenshots) via:

    1. Sign in to the Microsoft for Startups Portal.
    2. Select the “?” icon in the top‑right corner.
    3. Select “Submit a Support Ticket” and attach relevant documents.

    If assistance is needed with startup profile details (name, address, email), they can be updated in the same portal under profile settings.

    References:

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