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Startup cloud credits in 2026: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft and more

As of October 2026, the largest free cloud credit packages for early-stage startups come from Google Cloud (up to $350,000 for AI-first startups and $200,000 for others), AWS Activate (up to $200,000) and Microsoft for Startups (up to $150,000 in Azure credits, released over time). Each program has its own eligibility rules, and the biggest amounts usually require venture funding or a referral from an accelerator or investor.

Founders without institutional funding can still get smaller packages: $1,000 to $5,000 from AWS Activate Founders, and up to $2,000 from Google Cloud's Start tier for young startups that plan to raise soon. Nvidia Inception and Anthropic's Claude Startups Program add training, discounts and model credits on top.

Startup credit programs at a glance

• Google for Startups Cloud Program: up to $2,000 (Start tier); up to $200,000 over two years (Scale tier); up to $350,000 for AI-first startups.
• AWS Activate: $1,000 for self-funded startups, rising to $5,000 for some; up to $200,000 through an Activate Provider; invite-only packages above $200,000 for AI startups.
• Microsoft for Startups: up to $150,000 in Azure credits, released as a startup shows progress and Azure usage; startups backed by Microsoft's Investor Network partners may unlock more.
• Nvidia Inception: free membership with training, preferred pricing and partner cloud credits; no fixed credit amount is published.
• Claude Startups Program (Anthropic): API credits and higher rate limits for funded startups; the credit amount is not published.

Google for Startups Cloud Program

Google runs two tiers, set out on its eligibility and benefits page.

Start tier is for startups with a working MVP that plan to seek venture funding soon. It gives up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year. The company must have been founded within the last 24 months, show a well-defined product roadmap and not have received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial.

Scale tier is for startups that raised a pre-seed or seed round within the last five years, or a Series A within the last 12 months, were founded within the last five years and have not received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits. The standard package covers 100% of Google Cloud usage up to $100,000 in the first year, then 20% of usage up to another $100,000 in the second year. AI-first startups get 100% coverage up to $250,000 in year one, for a total of up to $350,000.

Only equity funding from institutional investors and venture firms counts for the Scale tier, and SAFEs are accepted. According to Google's AI startup program page, angel, friends-and-family, crowdfunding, private equity, government grants and prize money do not qualify a startup for Scale. Program credits can be spent on Google's Gemini and Gemma models.

Before applying you need an 18-character Google Cloud billing account ID, and the business email on the application must match the domain of your startup's public website, the program FAQ says. Both tiers include Google Workspace Business Plus free for 12 months for new sign-ups, and the Scale tier adds up to $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits for one year.

AWS Activate

AWS Activate is open to startups that are pre-Series B, were founded within the last 10 years, have an AWS account on a paid plan, and are either new to Activate credits or asking for more than they received before.

• Activate Founders is for bootstrapped or self-funded startups. It starts at $1,000 in credits, and AWS says selected participants can qualify for up to $5,000.
• Activate Portfolio offers up to $200,000 to startups backed by an Activate Provider, such as an accelerator, angel investor or venture firm. You need the provider's Organization ID (Org ID) to apply.
• AWS Credits for AI Startups are invite-only, for startups that have outgrown Portfolio, start above $200,000 and are arranged through an AWS account manager.

The application asks you to create an AWS Builder ID with a professional email address, choose a tier, describe the product and funding stage, and link your AWS account. AWS says decisions take five to ten business days. All Activate credits are subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions.

Microsoft for Startups

Microsoft runs its startup benefits through a single application. According to Microsoft's documentation, startups can use Azure credits right away while eligibility is checked and can receive up to $150,000 in credits over time as they show verified progress, adoption of Azure services and sustained usage. Startups backed by a member of the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network can enter a referral code when applying; Microsoft says they may unlock additional credits, support and third-party benefits earlier.

To qualify, a company must:

• build a software product or service that it owns;
• be privately held and for-profit;
• be headquartered in a country where Azure is available;
• have received no more than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits;
• not have raised a Series C or later round;
• not be an educational institution, government body, consultancy or agency, and not be involved in cryptocurrency mining.

Applications go through the Microsoft for Startups website and are typically reviewed within three business days.

Nvidia Inception

Nvidia Inception is free, with no application fees, membership fees or equity. It is not mainly a credit program: members get free self-paced courses from the Nvidia Deep Learning Institute, preferred pricing on some Nvidia hardware and software, partner offers that include cloud credits, and introductions to investors. Companies must be less than 10 years old, incorporated, employ at least one developer and run a working website. Consulting firms, resellers, cloud service providers, public companies and crypto companies are excluded. Applications are reviewed individually, with no cohorts or deadlines.

Claude Startups Program (Anthropic)

Anthropic's Claude Startups Program is open to early-stage founders with or without venture backing, but its API credits have stricter conditions: the company must have equity funding from an institutional investor, have been founded within the last four years and not have received Anthropic startup credits before. Accepted startups also move to Anthropic's highest API rate limits. The credits apply only to the Claude API used through the Claude Console, not to Claude on Amazon Bedrock or Google Vertex AI.

How to improve your chances

• Use a company email on your own domain. Google checks that the email matches your public website, and AWS asks for a professional address.
• Have funding proof ready. Google asks for links to public sources on your equity funding; startups in stealth can have an investor confirm it instead.
• Ask your accelerator or investor first. The AWS Portfolio tier needs an Org ID, and Microsoft's Investor Network referral code speeds up larger benefits. Accelerators also bundle partner credits: Y Combinator lists more than $12 million in credits and deals, and a16z speedrun advertises more than $10 million.
• Watch prior-credit limits. Google's Scale tier excludes startups that already received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits, and Microsoft caps lifetime free Azure credits at $350,000.
• Set billing alerts. Credits cover usage only up to their limit and for a set period; anything beyond that is billed at normal rates.

For more on how young companies finance their first months, see our Startups coverage and the Founders section.

Frequently asked questions

Which cloud gives startups the most free credits?

As of October 2026, Google Cloud publishes the largest standard package, up to $350,000 over two years for AI-first startups. AWS Activate offers up to $200,000 through an Activate Provider, with larger invite-only packages for AI startups, and Microsoft up to $150,000 on its standard path.

Can a bootstrapped startup get cloud credits?

Yes. AWS Activate Founders starts at $1,000 for self-funded startups, with up to $5,000 for some, and Google's Start tier gives up to $2,000 for one year to startups that plan to seek venture funding. Microsoft's published eligibility rules do not require venture funding.

Can I get AWS, Google Cloud and Azure credits at the same time?

The published limits on earlier credits refer only to each provider's own credits: Google Cloud credits for Google, Activate credits for AWS and free Azure credits for Microsoft. None of the eligibility pages bars startups that hold credits from another cloud, so a startup can apply to several, and each application is judged on its own criteria.

Do Google Cloud startup credits cover Gemini?

Yes. Google says credits from the program cover its Gemini and Gemma models.

How long does approval take?

AWS says Activate decisions take five to ten business days, and Microsoft typically reviews applications within three business days.