Azure Space is a set of products and services that are powered by key partnerships and designed to meet the needs of the space community. For more information read the Microsoft Australia blog

Why did Microsoft create Azure Space?

The space community is growing rapidly, and innovation is lowering the barriers of access for public- and private-sector organisations. Microsoft wants to make space connectivity and compute more accessible for industries like agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and government.

How do I apply for Microsoft for Australian Space Startups?

Founders can apply directly from the Microsoft for Startups . We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to review your application.

If our application gets declined, can we reapply and how soon?

Our team reviews every application and evaluates how well a company meets the eligibility criteria at the time of application. You may reapply when you feel your startup better fits the guidelines or if you’d like to provide additional information to be reviewed. Once 14 days have passed, a previously declined founder can reapply through.

Can I still apply if my startup is not incorporated yet, and is self-funded?

We love bootstrapped startups and would be happy to consider you. Please apply so we can learn all about you and your business idea!

How can I apply for investment from M12?

The M12 venture fund and its initiatives and investments operate independently of Microsoft for Startups. Microsoft for Startups does often collaborate with M12, but we are a separate initiative and do not offer venture capital.

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Microsoft for Australian Space Startups

Sending entrepreneurs into orbit

Illustration of a neon blue folds pattern on a dark background

Podcast

How Microsoft and Fortifyedge stop cyberattacks at the edge with machine learning

As hackers target companies from Viasat to SpaceX, it’s becoming increasingly clear that space is critical infrastructure – and as such must be secured.

Listen now

Illustration of blue and white patterns and several shiny orbs on dark background

Podcast

Democratising access to space

Find out how Gilmour Space Technologies and Microsoft are breaking down the barriers to space entry for players of every size.

Listen now

Microsoft is committed to powering growth and innovation in the Australian space industry. We’re dedicated to creating a startup ecosystem that is open to all. Our space startup program is centred around three key areas: unlocking innovation for all, technology benefits that grow, and access to mentorship and guidance.

We’re currently looking to collaborate with young space startups focused on cloud-powered innovation, on and off the planet. As a startup in our program, you will receive a multitude of benefits to accelerate you mission, from mentorship with space industry experts to 24-hour technical assistance.

There’s no need to be backed by investors – every innovator is welcome. This tailored program was developed as part of the Microsoft for Startups program, which has seen close to 7,000 startups graduate and achieve over a billion dollars’ worth of sales.

Up to US $150,000 in
Azure credits
Free access to
Microsoft tools
One-on-one technical
advice
Space, technical and
business mentorship
24/7 technical
assistance
No fees, no equity, no
lock-in contract.

Learn more about benefits

Microsoft for Australian Space Startups Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Microsoft for Australian Space Startups, your startup is:

Focussed on being part of Australia’s burgeoning space scene
Under seven years old
A privately held, for-profit business
Engaged in developing a software-based product that’s owned not licensed

Not a recipient of more than $10,000 in Azure Credits
Not an educational institution, government entity, personal blog, dev shop, consultancy, professional services firm, agency, or bitcoin or crypto mining company
Not a managed customer of Microsoft or one of our CSP partners

Apply Now

A man standing near a space station window looking out in space

Space partnerships

Whether you’re building intelligent Earth-observation satellites, enabling the creation of climate-resilient cities with space data or building space cybersecurity solutions, Space Startups do ground-breaking work. Collaborating with Space Startups inspires and invigorates us at Microsoft, and we can’t wait to work with the next innovative company.

Learn more about our startup partnerships

Customer Stories

Fortifyedge stretches machine learning all the way to Mars

For most of us, confirming our identity is a simple case of verifying our email and password, and perhaps a unique code sent to our smartphone. But Major Tom’s in space with his hands full; it’s not that easy.

Spiral Blue satellite in space orbiting our planet earth

Spiral Blue takes edge computing into orbit, democratising space data

Discover how Microsoft Australia partners with not-for-profits, Government and business to support communities.

A building with green plants hanging over its railings

Office of Planetary Observations heads to space for a greener Planet Earth

Learn how Australian organisations have leveraged Microsoft solutions to strengthen their business resilience, agility and competitive advantage.

Still have questions? Want to talk with our space industry experts?

SpacestartupsAU@microsoft.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Azure Space is a set of products and services that are powered by key partnerships and designed to meet the needs of the space community. For more information read the Microsoft Australia blog
The space community is growing rapidly, and innovation is lowering the barriers of access for public- and private-sector organisations. Microsoft wants to make space connectivity and compute more accessible for industries like agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and government.
Founders can apply directly from the Microsoft for Startups. We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to review your application.
Our team reviews every application and evaluates how well a company meets the eligibility criteria at the time of application. You may reapply when you feel your startup better fits the guidelines or if you’d like to provide additional information to be reviewed.

Once 14 days have passed, a previously declined founder can reapply through.
We love bootstrapped startups and would be happy to consider you. Please apply so we can learn all about you and your business idea!
The M12 venture fund and its initiatives and investments operate independently of Microsoft for Startups. Microsoft for Startups does often collaborate with M12, but we are a separate initiative and do not offer venture capital.