$300K in AWS credits: no tier at that number, but three programs around it.
AWS has no fixed $300K credit tier. Around that level, AWS runs two founder-side programs for AI startups: the invite-only AWS Credits for AI Startups tier and the Generative AI Accelerator, where AWS picks the startups. Separately, a vetted AWS partner can file funding for a specific AI test or launch.
- AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000 or more, by invitation. Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
- The AWS Generative AI Accelerator gave its 2025 cohort of 40 startups up to $1 million each in AWS credits. AWS selects the startups; no partner files it. No 2026 cohort page was live when we checked on 2026-10-10.
- For a specific AI test or launch, a vetted AWS partner can file POC or incremental workload (IW) funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IIs $300K an AWS credit tier?
No. AWS publishes no fixed award at that figure. Pages that quote an average award or an acceptance rate for it are guessing.
AWS Credits for AI Startups is $200,000 or more, by invitation. AWS publishes no cap above that. Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
The Generative AI Accelerator is a cohort program. The AWS Generative AI Accelerator gave its 2025 cohort of 40 startups up to $1 million each in AWS credits. AWS selects the startups; no partner files it. AWS has not published how awards are spread across a cohort.
Activate Portfolio goes up to $200,000, through an Activate Provider's Org ID or invite. The founder applies.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
None of the Activate tiers, and not the accelerator, can be filed by a consulting partner. Partner-filed funding is a separate route tied to specific 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. |
IIIWhere partner-filed funding fits for AI startups
- 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.
For startups, partner-filed funding is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
Partner funding programs reach about $1M, but that tier is for enterprises such as banks, hospitals and municipalities, not startups.
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 POC funding
Your matched partner scopes the test with you. Then it checks whether the test qualifies for POC (proof of concept) funding. A POC can fit whether or not you run on AWS today.
- 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 apply for $300K in AWS credits?
Does a partner file the accelerator or the AI Startups tier?
Is there a 2026 Generative AI Accelerator cohort?
What can a partner file for an AI startup?
What does CloudRoute cost?
Building on Bedrock? Ask a partner what AWS will fund.
A vetted AWS partner checks whether your AI test or launch qualifies for 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.