$25K in AWS credits: not an AWS tier, and what to ask for instead.
AWS does not publish a $25K credit tier. Activate Founders gives self-funded startups $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Activate Portfolio goes up to $200,000, and the amount depends on your investor's offer. For startups without a VC, the larger route is funding a vetted AWS partner files: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- There is no $25K tier on the AWS Activate page. Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Portfolio is up to $200,000, set by your Activate Provider's offer.
- You apply for Activate yourself. A consulting partner cannot apply for Founders or Portfolio on your behalf.
- Without an investor, the bigger route is partner-filed funding: MAP if you are moving to AWS, POC if you want to test something, or incremental workload (IW) funding for new work on AWS. For startups that is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IIs $25K an AWS credit tier?
No. AWS lists three Activate tiers on its credits page. None of them is a fixed $25K award.
Activate Founders is for self-funded startups: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. You apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner is needed.
Activate Portfolio is for startups backed by a VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel group that is an AWS Activate Provider. It goes up to $200,000. You apply yourself with the provider's one-time Org ID or email invite. Provider offers vary, so a $25K figure usually means one provider's offer, not an AWS tier.
AWS Credits for AI Startups is $200,000 or more, by invitation, through your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
Some pages say a partner can file Founders for a larger amount. That is wrong. Founders is a self-serve application, and it tops out at $5,000.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
Startups can get two kinds of AWS money. Activate credits, which the founder applies for. And partner-filed funding, which a vetted AWS consulting partner requests 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. |
IIIWhy startups without a VC should look at partner-filed funding first
For a startup with no investor, Activate Founders tops out at $5,000. Through a vetted AWS partner, the same startup can get $50K to $150K when the work qualifies. 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.
The partner files. AWS reviews the request and decides. The amount depends on the workload, so nobody can promise a figure before the work is scoped.
IVHow to apply for Activate yourself
- 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.
- Pick the tier: Founders if no Activate Provider backs you. Portfolio if your VC, accelerator, incubator or angel group is an Activate Provider. Ask them for the Org ID or an email invite.
- Apply on the AWS site: Go to aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. Sign in with an AWS Builder ID, fill in the Activate profile with a business email, link an AWS account on a paid plan, and submit.
- 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 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 $25K in AWS credits without a VC?
Can an AWS partner apply for Activate Founders or Portfolio for me?
Where does a $25K figure come from, then?
How long does AWS take to review an Activate application?
What do Activate credits not pay for?
What does CloudRoute cost?
No VC? Ask a partner what AWS will fund.
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.