$10K in AWS credits: what AWS offers above the $5,000 Founders cap.
AWS has no $10K credit tier. Self-funded startups get Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. To go above that you need either an Activate Provider behind you (Portfolio, up to $200,000) or a piece of work a vetted AWS partner can get funded: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- There is no $10K Activate tier. Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000, and you apply yourself.
- Above the Founders cap, Activate needs an Activate Provider: Portfolio goes up to $200,000, set by the provider's offer.
- Without an investor, the route above the cap is partner-filed funding for real work: MAP, POC or IW. For startups that is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IIs $10K an AWS credit tier?
No. AWS lists three Activate tiers, and none of them is a fixed $10K award.
Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000, for self-funded startups. You apply yourself. AWS does not publish how it picks the startups that get more than the starting amount.
Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000, for startups backed by an AWS Activate Provider (a VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel group). You apply yourself with the provider's Org ID or invite. The amount depends on the provider's offer.
AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000 or more, by invitation, through your AWS account manager.
Some pages say a partner can file Founders for $10K, or describe AWS programs that do not exist. Founders is self-serve and no partner files it. If a page names a credit program, check it on aws.amazon.com before you plan around it.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
Founders apply for Activate. A vetted AWS consulting partner files MAP, POC and IW funding for a specific piece of work.
| Funding | Who files it | Amount | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. |
| Proof of concept (POC) funding | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You want to test something, whether or not you are on AWS today. |
| Incremental workload (IW) funding | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You are already on AWS and are launching new work: a new AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. |
| AWS Activate Founders | Founder applies | $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 | Self-funded startups with no investor or accelerator behind them. |
| AWS Activate Portfolio | Founder applies | up to $200,000 | Startups backed by a VC firm, accelerator or angel investor that is an AWS Activate Provider. |
| AWS Credits for AI Startups | Invite only (AWS account manager) | $200,000 or more, by invitation | AI startups ready to scale after Activate Portfolio, invited by AWS. |
IIIHow do startups without an investor get past the Founders cap?
The answer is partner-filed funding tied to real work. For startups the range is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- Migration Acceleration Program (MAP): You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. Your matched partner files it when the migration qualifies and AWS approves it.
- Proof of concept (POC) funding: You want to test something, whether or not you are on AWS today. Your matched partner files it when the test qualifies and AWS approves it.
- Incremental workload (IW) funding: You are already on AWS and are launching new work: a new AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. Your matched partner files it when the new workload qualifies and AWS approves it.
If none of these fits yet, Founders is the right step for now. You can come back when you plan a migration, a test or a new workload.
IVHow to apply for Activate Founders
- Check eligibility: Pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, with an AWS account on a paid plan. You must be new to Activate credits or ask for more than you got before.
- Apply on the AWS site: Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed.
- Wait for the decision: AWS says Activate applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days.
- Know the limits: AWS says Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. AWS promotional credits do not pay Savings Plans or Reserved Instance upfront fees.
How a match works (example)
- You tell us about the work
You fill in a short form: what you run today, what you want to move, test or build, your stage and your region.
- We pick one partner
We read your answers and pick one vetted AWS consulting partner that fits the work, the stack and the region. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.
- The partner checks which funding fits
Your matched partner scopes the work with you. Then it checks which partner-filed funding fits: MAP if you are moving to AWS, POC if you want to test something, or incremental workload (IW) funding if you are already on AWS and launching new work.
- The partner files, AWS decides
If the work qualifies, the partner files the funding request with AWS. AWS reviews it and decides. The amount depends on the workload.
- You pay nothing
CloudRoute is free for startups. Partners pay CloudRoute a monthly membership plus 10% of AWS-approved funding.
AWS Activate credits are separate, and you apply for them yourself. Use Activate Founders if no investor backs you. Use Activate Portfolio with the Org ID or invite from your VC, accelerator, incubator or angel group if it is an Activate Provider. A consulting partner cannot apply for Activate on your behalf.
Common questions
Can I get $10K in AWS credits on my own?
Can a partner file Activate Founders for a larger amount?
What is the route above the Founders cap without a VC?
How long does Activate take?
What does CloudRoute cost?
Need more than the Founders cap? Ask a partner.
A vetted AWS partner checks whether your work qualifies for MAP, POC or IW funding and files it if it does. $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.