$200K in AWS credits: the Activate Portfolio maximum, and where MAP fits.
$200,000 is the most AWS Activate Portfolio gives. You apply for it yourself with an Org ID or invite from your Activate Provider. It is also where the invite-only AWS Credits for AI Startups tier starts. If you are moving to AWS, a vetted partner can also file MAP funding for the migration: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- Activate Portfolio goes up to $200,000. Raised from $100,000 to up to $200,000 in June 2026. The founder applies with an Activate Provider's Org ID or invite; a consulting partner cannot file it.
- AWS Credits for AI Startups starts at that level: $200,000 or more, by invitation, through your AWS account manager.
- For a migration to AWS, MAP is the partner-filed route. Your matched partner scopes the move and files it. For startups that is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IWhere $200K in AWS credits comes from
Two AWS programs touch $200,000. Both are founder-side: you apply, or AWS invites you.
Activate Portfolio goes 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. The amount you can claim depends on your provider's offer, so not every Portfolio startup gets the maximum.
AWS Credits for AI Startups is $200,000 or more, by invitation. Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
Some pages build $200K from a Portfolio award plus fixed MAP percentages by phase. AWS does not publish those percentages, and Portfolio alone now reaches this figure.
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. |
IIIIf you are migrating: MAP is filed by your partner
You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. Your matched partner files MAP funding when the migration qualifies and AWS approves it.
AWS offers migration investments, as AWS credits or partner investments, to offset one-time migration costs.
For startups, partner-filed funding is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. Partner programs reach about $1M, but that tier is for enterprises such as banks, hospitals and municipalities.
MAP is separate from Activate. You can apply for Activate yourself and still have a partner file MAP for the migration work. AWS decides each request on its own rules.
IVHow to apply for Activate Portfolio
- Confirm your provider: Your VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel group must be an AWS Activate Provider. Ask them for the Org ID or an email invite.
- Check the funding window: Activate Portfolio applicants must apply within 12 months of their latest funding date.
- Apply on the AWS site: Go to aws.amazon.com/startups/credits, choose Portfolio, enter the Org ID or use the invite, and link an AWS account on a paid plan.
- Wait for the decision: 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 MAP funding
Your matched partner scopes the migration with you. Then it checks whether the move qualifies for MAP (Migration Acceleration Program) funding. MAP is for teams that are not on AWS yet.
- 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
Who can get $200K in AWS Activate credits?
Can an AWS partner file Activate Portfolio for me?
How much MAP funding can a startup get?
Did Portfolio used to be smaller?
What does CloudRoute cost?
Moving to AWS? Ask a partner about MAP.
A vetted AWS partner scopes your migration and files MAP funding if it qualifies. $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.