$50K in AWS funding at seed: it depends on who backs you and what you build.
At seed, Activate Portfolio is open only if your investor is an AWS Activate Provider. You apply with its Org ID or invite, up to $200,000. If it is not, Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Either way, 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.
- Ask your lead investor first: is it an AWS Activate Provider? Only a provider's Org ID or invite unlocks Portfolio.
- If yes, apply for Portfolio yourself: up to $200,000, set by the provider's offer. If no, apply for Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
- For a migration, a test or new work on AWS, partner-filed funding is the larger route for most seed startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IWhere AWS funding comes from at seed
It depends on two things: whether your investor is an Activate Provider, and whether you have specific work a partner can get funded.
Investor is an Activate Provider. Apply for Portfolio with its Org ID or invite. Portfolio goes up to $200,000. Activate Portfolio applicants must apply within 12 months of their latest funding date.
Investor is not a provider. Portfolio is not open through that investor, however well known it is. Apply for Founders instead: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
Specific work. A vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or IW funding whatever your investor setup. For startups it is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
Some pages say a partner files Portfolio for seed startups, or that any named investor unlocks it. Neither is true. A consulting partner cannot file Portfolio.
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.
IVHow to apply for Activate at seed
- 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.
- Founders: Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed.
- Review time: AWS says Activate applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days.
- Know the limits: AWS says Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. AWS promotional credits do not pay Savings Plans or Reserved Instance upfront fees.
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 $50K the standard AWS award at seed?
My investor is a regional VC. Can I still get Portfolio?
Can a partner file Portfolio for me?
What does CloudRoute cost?
Seed stage? 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.