Amazon Web Services Official ProgramUp to $100,000 Benefit
AWS Activate for Startups
Free Cloud Compute and Hosting credits with support for early-stage software startups.
EligibilityVenture Supported
RegionGlobal Access
Quick Facts
Provider
Amazon Web Services
Benefit value
Up to $100,000
Availability
Global
Best for
infrastructure, cloud, aws
Application approval, exact credit amount, duration, and redemption requirements are controlled by the official provider. LahbabiGuide summarizes public program information to help founders prepare before applying.
Program Overview
AWS Activate provides early-stage startups with the cloud infrastructure credits, technical support, and training they need to succeed. Startups can apply for the Portfolio program or Founders program based on their funding status, giving access to the full breadth of AWS services including EC2, S3, RDS, and specialized AI/ML accelerators like AWS Bedrock and SageMaker. It is considered the gold standard for backend infrastructure scaling.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility Criteria
- Bootstrapped Startups: Must have a valid company website and business email. Aimed at early-stage companies under 10 years old.
- VC-Backed Startups: Must be associated with an approved Activate Provider (VC, Accelerator, or Incubator).
- Previous Credits: Must not have previously received the equivalent or higher level of Activate credits.
- Legal Entity: Must be a registered business entity in a supported region.
Common Rejection Reasons
Startup credit applications are often rejected for avoidable reasons. Before applying to Amazon Web Services, review these common issues and prepare accurate company information.
- Incomplete company website or invalid business email
- Startup outside the supported stage, age, or region
- Previous credits already redeemed on the same provider
- Missing partner, accelerator, or provider ID when required
- Unclear product description or non-software business model
How to Apply?
How to Claim Credit
- Create an AWS Account: Ensure you have a standard AWS root account active with a valid payment method.
- Identify your Provider: If you are in an accelerator, get their unique 'Activate Provider ID'.
- Submit Application: Fill out the form at the official AWS Activate portal using your business details.
- Verification: Technical teams will review your application within 7-10 business days.
- Deployment: Credits are applied to your billing dashboard automatically and offset monthly invoices.
LahbabiGuide does not sell promo codes or guarantee approval. Startup credit programs are controlled by the official provider, and eligibility requirements may change without notice. Always verify details on the official application page before applying.