AWS Startup Credits 2025: Complete Guide to Getting $100,000+ in Free Cloud Credits

AWS startup credits can save your early-stage company $100,000+ in cloud infrastructure costs. This comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to qualify for AWS Activate, Google Cloud for Startups, and Microsoft for Startups credits—plus hidden strategies to stack credits from multiple sources.

Quick Answer: Pre-Series B startups can get up to $100,000 in AWS Activate credits through accelerator partnerships, $350,000 from Google Cloud for AI startups, and $150,000 from Microsoft for Startups. Total potential: $600,000+ in combined credits.

Here's how to claim every dollar available to your startup in 2025.

AWS Activate Credits: $1,000 to $100,000 (Founders vs Portfolio)

AWS Activate is the primary program for startup cloud credits. There are two tiers based on your funding status:

AWS Activate Founders Package: $1,000 Credits

Who qualifies:

• Self-funded or bootstrapped startups
• Pre-Series B companies founded within the last 10 years
• No previous AWS Activate credits received
• Must have a company website or profile

How to apply:

• Visit aws.amazon.com/startups/credits
• Click "Apply Now" and create an AWS Builder ID (use your personal email—this ID stays with you across companies)
• Complete your AWS Activate profile with business information
• Link your startup's AWS account
• Submit application—approval typically takes 3-5 business days

What you get:

• $1,000 in AWS credits (valid for 2 years)
• AWS Business Support credits
• Access to startup-focused training and resources
• Technical guidance from AWS startup experts

AWS Activate Portfolio Package: Up to $100,000 Credits

Who qualifies:

• Startups affiliated with an AWS Activate Provider (VC firm, accelerator, incubator)
• Pre-Series B (most recent funding round within the last 12 months)
• Founded within the last 10 years
• Have an Organizational ID from your Activate Provider

How to apply:

• Check if your investor, accelerator, or incubator is an AWS Activate Provider
• Request your unique Organizational ID from them
• Apply through aws.amazon.com/startups using the Portfolio application
• Enter your provider's Organizational ID
• Submit—approval typically takes 5-7 business days

What you get:

• Up to $100,000 in AWS credits (valid for 2 years)
• Up to $5,000 in AWS Business Support credits
• 80+ hours of AWS training credits
• One-on-one technical reviews with AWS Solutions Architects
• Exclusive startup webinars and events

Pro tip: The credit amount varies by provider. Top-tier VCs like Y Combinator, Sequoia, and a16z typically secure the full $100,000. Lesser-known accelerators might offer $25,000-$50,000. Ask your provider what tier they offer before applying.

Google Cloud for Startups: $2,000 to $350,000 in Credits

Google Cloud offers the most generous AI startup credits in 2025, with up to $350,000 available for AI-first companies.

Google Cloud Credits Tiers

Tier 1: Self-Funded Startups ($2,000)

• For unfunded or pre-seed startups
• $2,000 USD in credits over 12 months
• Access to Google Cloud and Firebase products
• Basic technical support

Tier 2: Equity-Funded Startups ($200,000)

• First year: Up to $100,000 in credits
• Second year: 20% cost coverage up to $100,000
• Total potential: $200,000 over 2 years
• Dedicated Startup Success Manager
• Google Cloud engineer support
• Networking events and training

Tier 3: AI-First Startups ($350,000)

• Up to $350,000 in cloud credits
• Priority access to Google's AI/ML teams
• Early access to new AI products (Gemini, Vertex AI, etc.)
• Go-to-market support through Google Cloud Marketplace
• Co-marketing opportunities
• Dedicated AI training and technical workshops

How to Qualify for AI-First Credits

Google defines "AI-first" as startups where:

• Your core product uses machine learning or AI
• You're building on or training large language models
• AI/ML represents 50%+ of your cloud compute usage
• You're developing AI agents, computer vision, or NLP applications

Application process:

• Visit startup.google.com/cloud
• Select your startup category (unfunded, equity-funded, or AI-first)
• Complete the application with company details
• Provide proof of funding (for equity-funded tier)
• Describe your AI use case (for AI-first tier)
• Wait 7-14 days for review

Pro tip: If you're building anything with AI, always apply for the AI-first tier even if AI is only 30-40% of your product. Google is aggressively funding AI startups to compete with AWS and Azure. Emphasize your ML roadmap in your application.

Microsoft for Startups: $150,000 Azure Credits + OpenAI Access

Microsoft for Startups (formerly Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub) offers up to $150,000 in Azure credits plus exclusive OpenAI API credits.

Microsoft for Startups Credits

Standard Track:

• $1,000 Azure credits for non-funded startups
• Valid for 12 months
• Access to Microsoft technical resources

Funded Startup Track:

• Up to $150,000 in Azure credits
• Requires VC backing or acceptance into qualifying accelerator
• Credits distributed over 1-2 years based on funding stage
• Includes technical support and co-sell opportunities

What makes Microsoft unique: OpenAI Credits

Microsoft for Startups is the only major program offering OpenAI API credits:

• Access to GPT-4, GPT-4o, and other OpenAI models through Azure
• Discounted rates on Azure OpenAI Service
• Priority access during high-demand periods
• HIPAA/SOC2 compliant infrastructure for AI applications

Pro tip for AI startups: If you're building with OpenAI's APIs, Azure credits effectively become OpenAI credits at Azure's enterprise pricing (often 20-30% cheaper than OpenAI direct). This makes Microsoft the best choice for GPT-based startups.

How to Stack Cloud Credits from Multiple Sources (Get $600,000+)

The secret most startups miss: you can stack credits from different providers AND different programs simultaneously. Here's the optimal stacking strategy:

Multi-Cloud Credit Stacking Strategy

Step 1: Apply to all three major providers

• AWS Activate: $100,000
• Google Cloud: $200,000 (or $350,000 for AI)
• Microsoft Azure: $150,000
• Total: $450,000-$600,000

Why this works: Each provider operates independently. There's no exclusivity requirement. Apply to all three even if you only plan to use one initially.

Step 2: Leverage VC portfolio benefits separately

Many VCs offer cloud credits through separate channels:

• Y Combinator: $100,000 AWS + deals with GCP/Azure
• Sequoia: Portfolio discounts on top of standard programs
• a16z: Additional credits through their infrastructure partnerships
• First Round Capital: Stacking bonuses for portfolio companies

How to stack: Your VC's portfolio credits often come through a different application than the standard startup program. Apply to both:

• Standard AWS Activate Portfolio (using VC's Org ID)
• VC's separate cloud benefits program

Example: Y Combinator companies can get $100,000 through AWS Activate + additional credits through YC's dedicated infrastructure partnerships = $125,000+ total AWS credits.

Real Example: Maximum Credit Stack

Here's a real scenario for an AI startup founded by an underrepresented founder in Y Combinator:

• AWS Activate (YC): $100,000
• AWS Impact Accelerator: $225,000
• Google Cloud AI-First: $350,000
• Microsoft for Startups: $150,000
• NVIDIA Inception: $250,000
• VC portfolio bonus: $50,000

Total: $1,125,000 in cloud credits

Credit expiration management: Credits have different expiration dates. AWS and Azure credits typically last 2 years, Google Cloud 1-2 years. Plan your infrastructure roadmap to use expiring credits first. Use CloudShip to track all your credit expiration dates and forecast burn rate so you never lose credits to expiration.

Common Mistakes That Disqualify Startups (And How to Avoid Them)

After reviewing 100+ failed credit applications, here are the top mistakes:

Mistake #1: Applying Too Late (After Series B)

Most programs explicitly state "Pre-Series B." Once you raise a Series B:

• AWS Activate: ❌ Ineligible
• Google Cloud: ❌ Ineligible
• Microsoft: ❌ Ineligible

Solution: Apply during or immediately after your Seed/Series A round. Don't wait until you "need" the credits.

Mistake #2: Using Corporate Email for AWS Builder ID

AWS requires a personal email for your Builder ID because it follows you across companies. Using your startup email can cause issues:

• Account access problems if you leave the company
• Complications if the company is acquired
• Builder ID may be rejected

Solution: Use Gmail, Outlook, or another permanent personal email.

Mistake #3: Letting Credits Expire Unused

The #1 waste: Getting approved but not using credits before they expire.

Statistics: ~40% of startup credits expire partially or fully unused.

Why it happens:

• Forgot expiration date (typically 24 months from approval)
• Overestimated future usage
• Built on different cloud provider
• Didn't track usage

Solution:

• Set calendar reminders at 12 months, 18 months, and 22 months
• Front-load compute-heavy projects (ML training, data processing) while you have credits
• Use credits for experimentation and R&D you'd otherwise postpone
• Use CloudShip to track credit expiration and forecast burn rate automatically

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer AWS credits to another account?

No. AWS Activate credits are tied to the specific AWS account linked during application. You cannot transfer them to another AWS account, even within the same company. Workaround: Use AWS Organizations to consolidate billing across multiple accounts while keeping credits in the original account.

Can I stack credits from multiple cloud providers?

Yes! Many companies use a multi-cloud strategy specifically to maximize credits. You can apply for AWS Activate ($100K), Google Cloud for Startups ($350K), and Microsoft for Startups ($150K) simultaneously. Just ensure you have legitimate use cases for each platform.

How long does approval take?

• AWS Activate Founders: 3-5 business days
• AWS Activate Portfolio: 5-7 business days
• Google Cloud for Startups: 7-14 days
• Microsoft for Startups: 5-10 business days

If denied: You'll receive an email explanation. Common reasons: company age, funding stage, or incomplete application. You can typically reapply after fixing issues.

Do credits cover data transfer/egress fees?

Yes, AWS Activate credits cover compute (EC2, Lambda), storage (S3, EBS), databases (RDS, DynamoDB), data transfer (egress charges), and most AWS services. Exception: AWS Marketplace purchases may not be covered depending on the specific product.

Can international startups apply?

Yes. AWS Activate, Google Cloud, and Microsoft for Startups are available globally with some country-specific restrictions. Must have business registration in an eligible country. Credit amounts may vary by region.

Next Steps: Maximize Your Startup Cloud Credits with CloudShip

Cloud credits delay costs but don't eliminate them. After credits expire, most startups see cloud bills increase 300-500%. Plan ahead with a comprehensive strategy:

Week 1: Apply to All Programs

• Day 1-2: Apply to AWS Activate (Founders or Portfolio)
• Day 3-4: Apply to Google Cloud for Startups (AI-first if applicable)
• Day 5: Apply to Microsoft for Startups
• Day 6-7: Research and apply to additional programs (DigitalOcean Hatch, Oracle, IBM)

Month 1-2: Optimize Credit Usage

• Front-load compute-intensive projects (ML training, data processing)
• Use credits for R&D and experimentation
• Build disaster recovery and testing environments
• Track credit burn rate weekly with CloudShip

Beyond Credits: Build Sustainable Cost Efficiency

CloudShip helps startups optimize cloud costs beyond credits—preparing you for efficient post-credit operations:

• Track all credit sources: Monitor AWS, GCP, Azure credits + expiration dates in one dashboard
• Forecast burn rate: Predict when credits will expire so you can plan infrastructure work
• Identify waste early: Find unused resources, oversized instances before credits run out
• Automate optimization: Generate Terraform PRs to fix cost issues without manual work
• Build FinOps habits: Track unit economics from day one for sustainable growth

Best of all? CloudShip works without needing access to your cloud accounts. You export cost reports, our AI analyzes them locally, and generates pull requests for your team to review. Your credentials never leave your infrastructure.

Real startup example: A Series A SaaS company secured $250,000 in credits (AWS + GCP). CloudShip helped them optimize usage to extend credits by 6 months AND reduce post-credit spend by $180,000/year through automated rightsizing and waste removal. Credits bought runway; AI FinOps built sustainable efficiency.