$150K in AWS funding at Series A: two separate routes, not one stack.
At Series A there are two separate routes to a figure like this. Activate Portfolio, which you apply for with your investor's Org ID, goes up to $200,000. And a vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or IW funding for specific work: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- Activate Portfolio goes up to $200,000. You apply yourself with your lead investor's Org ID or invite, if the investor is an Activate Provider.
- Partner-filed MAP, POC or IW funding is tied to specific work. For startups it is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- There is no AWS "stack" that adds up to a fixed $150K. Pages that quote approval odds by stage for one are not quoting AWS.
IThe two real routes at Series A
They are separate. Different people apply, different rules apply, and AWS decides each one.
Activate Portfolio. 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. It goes up to $200,000, and your provider's offer sets the amount.
Partner-filed funding. A vetted AWS consulting partner scopes a migration, a test or new work with you and files the request. For startups it is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
Some pages build $150K from Portfolio plus fixed amounts from other programs, including one AWS does not run. That stack is not real. Neither are the approval percentages quoted for it.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
| 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 partner-filed 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.
IVPortfolio rules to check before you apply
- Your investor is an Activate Provider: Only a provider's Org ID or invite unlocks Portfolio. Ask your lead investor.
- The funding window: Activate Portfolio applicants must apply within 12 months of their latest funding date.
- Credits you already have: If you got Activate credits before, you can ask for a larger amount. AWS gives the difference.
- 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
Is $150K an AWS credit tier for Series A?
Can one partner file everything for me?
What are my odds of approval?
What does CloudRoute cost?
Ask a partner what AWS will fund for your Series A work.
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.