Overview
Create what’s next without slowing down
Build with AI faster
Skip the lengthy sign-up and start developing AI apps and agents in as little as minutes with Microsoft Foundry.
Jumpstart development
Get from proof of concept to production quickly using AI-native workflows and code templates in GitHub Copilot.
Stay in your flow
Develop the way you want to with fully integrated tools, so you can focus on building.
USE CASES
The AI stack that fuels what’s next
- Access over 11,000 foundational, open, reasoning, multimodal, and industry-specific models. Instantly compare and swap models for your use case or enable intelligent model routing to optimize performance in real-time.
- Design, deploy, and scale AI apps and agents that automate business processes, independently or with teams. Enhance them with your own orchestrators, domain expertise, and multi-agent workflows. Run edge-optimized models and agents locally on Windows or macOS for offline or privacy-sensitive scenarios.
- Fine-tune models with minimal code, securely ground them on data stored anywhere to deliver smarter, more relevant experiences.
- Use open frameworks and protocols to orchestrate AI-powered solutions that automate workflows, respond with real-time precision, and securely connect to business systems using 1400+ tools or custom MCP tools.
- Move fast and win enterprise deals with tools that provide observability and governance from the start. Continuously improve security, quality, performance, and costs across all your AI apps and agents with a unified control plane.
- Automate repetitive work, improve code quality, and enable multi‑step planning and execution, so you can ship faster while staying in flow.
- Bring rich organizational context such as meetings, email, files, and code directly into development workflows, so AI agents can reason across real work, not just prompts or code snippets.
- Accelerate AI app and agent development with databases built for AI. Power real-time insights with native vector and semantic search.
- Develop and scale across multi-cloud environments with Microsoft Azure’s global infrastructure and open-source ecosystem. Connect apps and agents across regions with advanced performance and compliance capabilities.
GET STARTED
Develop AI solutions faster with exclusive offers
Build and differentiate your AI-powered apps and agents with Microsoft’s trusted tools, models, and go-to-market support—no matter your stage of growth.
Free Azure Trial
Get started building your first AI app or agent
Jump-start your project with instant access to a coding environment that’s pre-configured and customizable and that seamlessly works with VSCode and GitHub.
ISV Success
Start building with guidance and technical resources
Access benefits and resources designed to help software development companies build well-architected AI applications and agents.
Microsoft for Startups
Build boldly with AI-ready startup guidance
Microsoft for Startups helps founders build intelligent apps and agents with free Azure credits, AI tools, and go-to-market resources.
AI FOR BUILDERS
Loved by developers, powered by AI
Go from idea to production—without friction—using the tools developers trust.
80% of Fortune 500 companies
Use Microsoft Foundry
180M+ developers
Use GitHub
Doubled year-over-year
AI projects on GitHub
Success stories
Code that changed the game
Resources
Code with confidence
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Developing an app with Microsoft means building intelligent, scalable, and secure software using Microsoft’s AI-powered tools, cloud infrastructure, and global partner ecosystem.
You gain access to advanced developer tools like Microsoft Foundry and GitHub Copilot—plus go-to-market support through Microsoft Marketplace. - The development journey with Microsoft typically begins with designing and building your app using tools like Microsoft Foundry, GitHub Copilot, and Visual Studio.
Next, developers can fine-tune models and optimize performance using Azure’s AI services. Deployment is streamlined through Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, and other scalable cloud-native services. Security and compliance are built in with tools like Microsoft Purview and Responsible AI Toolbox.
Finally, apps can be published on Microsoft Marketplace, unlocking access to millions of users and co-sell opportunities with Microsoft’s global sales force. - While timelines vary depending on the complexity of the solution, Microsoft’s development environment and offerings significantly reduce time to market.
Through ISV Success, developers receive free tools, cloud credits, and 1:1 technical consultations, enabling many to go from concept to Microsoft Marketplace listing in just a few weeks.
Additional support like marketing benefits, customer propensity scoring, and up to USD 400,000 in Azure sponsorship further accelerates the path to launch via Marketplace Rewards. - Yes, Microsoft provides a clear roadmap through ISV Success.
The roadmap includes access to free developer tools, sandbox environments, technical consultations, and curated resources like code samples and reference architectures.
Continue your journey
Ready to maximize your momentum?
Answer a few questions and app advisor delivers curated, step-by-step guidance to help you build AI apps and agents, publish to Microsoft Marketplace, and grow sales.
ISV Success
Build and deploy your apps faster
Access exclusive software company benefits, including AI services, consultations, and developer tools.
Blog
Stay informed
Find the latest news, updates, and announcements from experts at the Microsoft Azure blog.