The Google for Startups Cloud Program is designed to support startups through various stages of development by providing a range of financial, business, and technical resources. The program offers Google Cloud credits, specialized offers, and community support to help emerging businesses build their products and infrastructure, with tiers and benefits matched to a startup's specific stage and needs.
Program Tiers and Structure
• Start Tier: Designed for pre-funded startups.
• Scale Tier: Tailored for early-stage startups that have secured funding.
• AI Tier: An extension for Scale tier startups, providing specialized resources and tools for AI-first companies.
• Web3 Tier: An additional program for Scale tier startups in the Web3 space, offering unique benefits relevant to their business needs.
Scale Tier Eligibility Criteria
• Funding: Must have received startup equity funding from pre-seed to Series A from an institutional investor or common Web3 funding sources. If Series A, the round must have been raised within the last 12 months.
• Company Age: Must have been founded within the last 10 years.
• Previous Credits: Must not have received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits previously.
Scale Tier Benefits
• Google Cloud Credits: $200,000 in credits distributed over two years (Year 1: 100% up to $100,000; Year 2: 20% up to an additional $100,000).
• AI Startup Credits: An additional $150,000 in credits for qualified AI-first startups to support product development using Vertex AI or Gemini.
• Enhanced Support: $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits for one year.
• Google Workspace: 12 months of free Google Workspace Business Plus for new subscribers.
• Google Maps Platform: $600 monthly credit for any Google Maps service.
• Training: $500 in Google Skills credits for online training courses.
• Support and Access: Includes dedicated business support, a success manager, exclusive Web3 Program access for qualified startups, and additional partner offers from the Google Cloud ecosystem.
AI Program Details
• Eligibility: Requires being an AI-first startup, where AI is integral to the company's foundational structure and strategy, not just a productivity layer.
• Benefits: Access to Google's open AI ecosystem, including infrastructure, AI products, and foundation models. Participants can receive up to $350,000 in credits and access platforms like Vertex AI Model Garden.
Web3 Program Details
• Benefits: Provides Web3 projects and startups with up to $200,000 over two years for Google Cloud and Firebase usage, access to a dedicated Discord channel, foundation grants, and VIP event access.
Application Requirements
• Billing Account ID: Applicants must have their 18-character Google Cloud billing account ID ready.
• Business Email: The business email used in the application must match the startup’s public website domain and the domain associated with the billing account.
• Funding Verification: Applicants should provide links to publicly available online sources detailing their equity investments. Stealth mode startups are advised to work with their investors for verification.
Funding Qualifications
• Qualifying for Scale Tier: Includes equity investment vehicles from institutional investors and venture capital firms, Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) Agreements, verifiable token raises, and Blockchain foundation grants.
• Evaluated for Other Tiers: Funding from private equity, government innovation grants, prize funding, crowdfunding, angel investors, and friends and family will not qualify a startup for the Scale tier but will be evaluated for other program tiers.
Program Exclusions
• Ineligible Entities: The program may not accept companies that have IPO'd or been acquired, educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, personal blogs, dev shops, consultancies, agencies, cryptocurrency mining companies, or companies distributing tokens contrary to regulatory guidance.
Additional Programs and Resources
• Startup Perks: Offers partner benefits and discounts to pre-funded startups through the Google Cloud ecosystem.
• Google Developer Program: Helps developers scale apps with AI, build new projects, and expand their network.
• ISV Startup Springboard: A 12-week program for emerging AI startups to accelerate growth with technical guidance and GTM resources.
• Technical Resources: Startups can access AI/ML architecture resources, generative AI training courses, technical guides, and workshops like AI Startup School and Google Cloud Next.
This program offers a comprehensive suite of tools and support systems aimed at fostering innovation and growth within the startup community. Interested parties can find detailed information and application guidelines through the official program channels to determine the best fit for their venture's current stage and future ambitions.