Up to $150K in AWS funding: the top of what a partner can file for a startup.
"Up to $150K" is the top of the range a vetted AWS partner can file for a startup through MAP, POC or incremental workload (IW) funding. The full range is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. It is not an Activate tier and it is not a stack of credit programs.
- The top of the partner-filed range for startups. A vetted AWS partner files MAP, POC or IW funding for a specific piece of work: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- It is not built by stacking Activate on top of other credit programs. Activate is a separate application the founder makes.
- Activate Portfolio, for startups backed by an Activate Provider, goes up to $200,000. Activate Founders, for self-funded startups, is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
IWhere "up to $150K" comes from
It comes from funding an AWS consulting partner files for real work, not from Activate.
AWS lets its consulting partners request funding for customer work. For startups there are three routes: MAP for a migration to AWS, POC for a test, and incremental workload (IW) funding for new work on AWS. For startups, the range across those routes is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
Partner programs go higher, up to about $1M, but that tier is for enterprises such as banks, hospitals and municipalities, not startups.
Some pages build a "$150K stack" out of Activate Portfolio, a fixed Bedrock credit and an AWS program that does not exist. That stack is wrong. Activate is something the founder applies for, and no consulting partner can file it.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
Partner routes come first because they are the route to this range for most startups without a VC.
| 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. |
IIIWhich route fits your work
- 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.
Where you land in the range depends on the workload. The partner scopes the work, files the request, and AWS decides. Nobody can promise the top of the range before that.
IVWhere Activate fits
Activate credits are separate, and you apply for them yourself.
- Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed.
- Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000. Apply yourself with the Org ID (or an invite) from your AWS Activate Provider. Apply within 12 months of your latest funding date. A consulting partner cannot file it.
- AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000 or more, by invitation. Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
- Review time: AWS says Activate applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days.
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 a startup really get up to $150K from AWS?
Is $150K an AWS Activate tier?
Do I need a VC to get this?
Can a partner file Activate for me as part of this?
What does CloudRoute cost?
See where your work lands in the range.
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.