What you actually get
These programmes give you promotional credit against the provider's own cloud bill, not cash. You still need a billing account, and unused credit usually expires. They can take a large chunk out of GPU, storage and API costs while you are building, but they will not pay salaries.
The three we track as open, rolling programmes are the Google for Startups Cloud Program: AI track, AWS Activate Credits and Microsoft for Startups. Our compute credits guide explains how credit programmes work in general, including expiry and "up to" wording.
Side by side: the published amounts
| Programme | Published credit | How it is structured |
|---|---|---|
| Google for Startups Cloud Program: AI track | Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits over 2 years (AI-first startups) | Google's AI startup page breaks this down as up to $250,000 in year 1 at 100% for AI-first startups, then 20% up to an additional $100,000 in year 2. The standard (non-AI) cap it quotes is lower: up to $200,000 over two years. |
| AWS Activate Credits | Up to $5,000 (self-funded) or up to $200,000 (with an Activate Provider Org ID); invite-only $200K+ for AI startups at scale | The Founders tier, for self-funded startups, starts at $1,000, and select participants may qualify for additional credits up to $5,000. The Portfolio tier, up to $200,000, needs an Organisation ID from an AWS Activate Provider such as an accelerator or VC. Further credits above $200,000 for AI startups ready to scale are invite-only, through an account manager. |
| Microsoft for Startups | Up to $150,000 in Azure credits | Microsoft's page says you can unlock up to $5,000 through business verification, then further credits as you adopt more Azure services with sustained usage, up to $150,000 over time in one programme. It is not a single lump sum on day one. |
Who qualifies?
- Google. The AI track is aimed at VC-funded startups that use, or plan to use, Gemini as a foundation of their primary product. The page is designed for Pre-Seed or Seed rounds raised within the last five years, or a Series A within the last 12 months, companies founded within the last five years, and startups that have not already received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits. Acceptance is at Google Cloud's discretion. Educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, consultancies and several other types are excluded.
- AWS Activate. The credits page sets a common bar of pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, an AWS account on a paid-tier plan, and being new to Activate credits or requesting more than you have already received. Self-funded teams use Founders; teams backed by a participating investor or accelerator use Portfolio and need that provider's Org ID.
- Microsoft for Startups. The programme is for early-stage startups building software products, including AI-powered and cloud-based applications. You can apply if you already use another cloud: there is no requirement to migrate everything at once. The page does not publish a full eligibility checklist in one place, so read the application flow and any linked terms before you assume you qualify.
The fine print that changes the headline number
- Credits cover the provider's own products, not everything in the marketplace. Google states that credits apply to eligible first-party, pay-as-you-go Google Cloud products. Third-party models and services, including those in Model Garden or Marketplace, are billed separately and are not covered.
- The generous figure is usually "up to". What you are actually awarded can be lower, and it may unlock in stages, as with Microsoft's verification and usage steps or AWS's Founders starting amount of $1,000.
- Expiry and eligible services matter more than the cap. A large credit that cannot be used on the GPUs or models you need, or that expires before you can use it, is worth less than a smaller, well-timed award.
- Credits are tied to the applicant. Google says credits may only be used by the original applicant and cannot be shared, split or resold.
How to apply
- Start a billing account first where the provider asks for one, and use a company email address on the company domain.
- Pick the right tier. For AWS, that means Founders versus Portfolio, and having an Org ID ready if you have an Activate Provider. For Google, check whether you actually meet the AI-track funding and product tests.
- Apply to more than one if you are eligible. The programmes are independent, and many startups use more than one cloud.
- Read the current programme page on the day you apply. Offers change, and the figures above are the ones published when we last checked. Our compute credits list is sorted so you can see every programme we currently track.
AWS says you will usually hear back within 5–10 business days. Google and Microsoft do not publish a standard decision time on the pages we checked.
