AWS Activate
Up to $100K in AWS credits for eligible startups
Up to $100,000 in AWS credits
- Best for
- Pre-seed, Seed
- Available in
- Global
- Program type
- Credits
- Last verified
- Apr 10, 2026
About this program
AWS Activate is Amazon Web Services' official startup program. It provides tiered benefits: the Founders tier gives self-serve credits with no funding requirement, while the Portfolio tier — available to startups backed by participating accelerators, incubators, and VCs — offers substantially larger credit packages, technical training, and AWS Business Support.
Benefits can be applied across any AWS service, and credits typically have a 12- to 24-month expiration window.
What you get
- Up to $100,000 in AWS credits
- Up to $100K in total value
- 24-month window to apply benefits
- Offer type: Credits
Eligibility
Startups incorporated for under 10 years, with less than $100M raised, and a company email address. Higher tiers require backing from a participating AWS Activate Provider.
- Stage
- Pre-seed, Seed
- Region
- Global
- Funding cap
- Up to $100M raised
- Incorporation required
- Yes
How to apply
- Visit the AWS Activate Console and sign in with your AWS account.
- Select the tier you qualify for (Founders or Portfolio).
- If applying for Portfolio, provide your sponsoring organization code.
- Complete the startup profile and submit.
- Credits are typically applied within 1–5 business days.
Frequently asked questions
Can bootstrapped founders access the $100K tier?
No — the $100K tier is restricted to startups backed by an AWS Activate Provider (participating accelerator or VC). Bootstrapped founders qualify for the Founders tier.
How long do AWS Activate credits last?
Credits typically expire 12–24 months after issuance, depending on the tier.
Can credits be used on any AWS service?
Yes, credits can be applied to most AWS services, though some marketplace and third-party charges may be excluded.
You'll be redirected to Amazon Web Services to apply. FounderDeals never handles applications.
Alternatives to AWS Activate
Other cloud & infrastructure programs founders weigh against Amazon Web Services. Each links out to the provider's official page.
