AWS Activate is a startup support program designed to help companies move from early development to production and scale on AWS. Eligible startups can apply for AWS Activate Credits to reduce the cost of more than 200 AWS services, with standard Activate awards reaching up to $200,000. AWS also offers additional credit opportunities for qualifying AI startups that have progressed beyond the standard Activate tiers.
Program Eligibility and Credit Tiers
• Program positioning: AWS Activate supports startups from pre-seed through later growth stages. Credit eligibility depends on factors including funding status, whether the startup is self-funded or backed by an AWS Activate Provider, previous Activate Credit awards, and company age.
• General eligibility: AWS states that Activate applicants must generally be pre-Series B, have been founded within the past 10 years, and meet the requirements of the relevant credit tier. The current AWS program page also requires an AWS account on a Paid Tier Plan. AWS's application guide additionally requires a functioning company website.
• Activate Founders – Self-funded: The Founders tier provides $1,000 in AWS Activate Credits to eligible early-stage, self-funded startups that are new to Activate Credits. Select startups may qualify for additional credits over time, bringing the total to up to $5,000. Startups can apply directly without an Activate Provider Org ID.
• Activate Portfolio – Provider-backed, Pre-Series B: The Portfolio tier provides up to $200,000 in AWS Activate Credits to eligible startups associated with an AWS Activate Provider. Applicants need the provider's Organization ID (Org ID), must be pre-Series B, and cannot previously have received Activate Credits of equal or greater value. If applicable, the startup's most recent funding round must have occurred within the previous 12 months.
• AWS Credits for AI Startups – Invite only: AWS lists an additional opportunity for AI startups ready to scale beyond the Activate Portfolio tier. Qualifying companies may receive $200,000 or more in AWS Credits and are directed to speak with an AWS Account Manager or contact AWS for support.
• Credit terms: AWS Activate Credits are denominated in USD and are subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions.
Activate Provider Network
• AWS Activate works with thousands of venture capital firms, accelerators, angel investors, and other startup-support organizations worldwide. These organizations can provide eligible startups with the Org ID required to apply for the Activate Portfolio tier.
• AWS lists organizations including Andreessen Horowitz, Brex, Carta, Greylock Partners, Sequoia, and Y Combinator as examples of Activate Providers.
How to Apply
• Step 1 – Create or sign in with an AWS Builder ID: Start from the AWS Activate application page and create a Builder ID or sign in to an existing one. AWS's June 2026 application guide recommends using a personal email address for the Builder ID because the ID remains associated with the individual across organizations.
• Step 2 – Complete the AWS Activate profile: Applicants complete a startup profile with company information. AWS recommends using a business email address associated with the startup's domain for the Activate profile and credit application.
• Step 3 – Choose the appropriate credit tier: Self-funded startups can apply for Activate Founders. Startups backed by an accelerator, investor, VC, or other participating organization can apply for Activate Portfolio using an eligible Activate Provider's Org ID.
• Step 4 – Provide startup information: Applicants submit information about the company, product, target market, traction, current funding stage, and most recent funding round where applicable. AWS uses these details to assess eligibility.
• Step 5 – Link an AWS account and submit: The startup links its primary AWS account to the Builder ID and completes the application. AWS states that applicants generally receive a decision within 5–10 business days.
Helpful Resources and Credit Use
• Application resource: AWS provides an official Applying for AWS Activate Credits: A step-by-step guide covering eligibility, application requirements, and what to do after approval.
• Program resource: AWS also provides FAQs and additional guidance explaining Activate Credits, eligibility, and program rules.
• Credit use: Eligible Activate Credits can offset charges for more than 200 AWS services. AWS positions the credits as a way for startups to build MVPs, move from prototype to production, develop AI products, and reduce infrastructure spending as they grow.
AI, Migration, and Kiro Offers
• AI – From development to production: Startups can use eligible AWS promotional credits with cloud and AI services, including Amazon Bedrock. AWS positions these resources for companies developing AI-native products and moving applications from initial development toward production.
• Migration – Move workloads to AWS: AWS offers AI-powered migration assessments, technical guidance, and potential AWS or partner investments intended to help offset eligible one-time migration expenses.
• Kiro – Startup development support: Kiro provides an agentic development environment that can turn prompts into code, designs, and implementation tasks. AWS currently promotes separate Kiro Startup Credits for eligible startups that do not already have Activate Credits, with the option to progress toward AWS Activate later.
Founder Stories and Next Steps
• Founder stories: AWS publishes examples of startups using Activate Credits to develop and scale products on AWS.
• Next steps: Startups can review the AWS Activate eligibility requirements, determine whether the Founders or Portfolio tier applies to them, gather any required Activate Provider Org ID, and submit an application through the official AWS Activate Credits page.
For startup teams evaluating cloud-credit programs, AWS Activate provides a tiered funding opportunity for AWS infrastructure costs, ranging from an initial $1,000 for qualifying self-funded startups to as much as $200,000 for eligible provider-backed startups. Additional AWS Credits may be available to qualifying AI startups scaling beyond the standard Activate tiers.