AWS credits in 2026: what changed, and who files what.
AWS raised Activate Portfolio to up to $200,000 in June 2026 and added an invite-only tier for AI startups. You still apply for Activate yourself. A vetted AWS partner files a different kind of funding: MAP, POC or incremental workload (IW).
- Activate Portfolio now goes up to $200,000. AWS raised it in June 2026. You apply yourself, with the Org ID or invite from your Activate Provider.
- AWS added a new tier, AWS Credits for AI Startups ($200,000 or more, by invitation), through your AWS account manager. Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
- What did not change: no partner can file Activate for you. A partner files MAP, POC or incremental workload funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IWhat changed in AWS startup credits in 2026
These changes come from the AWS credits page and the AWS Startups FAQ, as recorded in the directory's AWS entry on 9 October 2026 and checked again on 10 October 2026.
- Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000: Between 31 May and 14 June 2026, the AWS credits page raised this tier from "Up to $100,000" to "Up to $200,000". The amount you get depends on your Activate Provider's offer.
- AWS Credits for AI Startups: A new tier: $200,000 or more, by invitation. There is no open form. You talk with your AWS account manager.
- Activate Founders: The self-serve tier is now $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Self-funded startups apply directly, with no Org ID.
- A paid AWS plan is required: By mid-January 2026, the credits page required an AWS account on a Paid Tier plan. Free account plans are not eligible.
- Credit terms updated: AWS updated its Promotional Credit Terms on 24 September 2026. Credits still do not pay Savings Plans or Reserved Instance upfront fees.
- Kiro Startup Credits: AWS relaunched Kiro Startup Credits on 7 April 2026, with applications open to 31 December 2026. It is a separate offer, not part of Activate.
Every change to the directory's data is logged with its date in the startup credits change log.
IIWho files each kind of AWS funding
A startup can get two kinds of AWS money. You apply for Activate credits yourself. Only an AWS consulting partner can request MAP, POC and incremental workload (IW) 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. |
IIIWhat a vetted AWS partner can file for you
For most startups with no VC behind them, partner-filed funding is the larger route: $50K to $150K for startups, against $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 from Activate Founders. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP (Migration Acceleration Program): You are not on AWS yet and want to move. Your matched partner scopes the migration and files MAP funding when it qualifies.
- POC (proof of concept) funding: You want to test something, on AWS or not. Your matched partner scopes the test and files POC funding when it qualifies.
- IW (incremental workload) funding: You are already on AWS and are launching new work: an AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. Your matched partner files IW funding when the new workload qualifies.
AWS reviews every request and decides. CloudRoute is free for startups. Partners pay CloudRoute a monthly membership plus 10% of AWS-approved funding. Sources: the AWS MAP page and the AWS partner funding page.
IVHow to apply for AWS Activate yourself
You do not need anyone to file Activate for you, and a consulting partner cannot.
- Check the rules on the AWS credits page: pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, and an AWS account on a paid plan.
- No investor behind you: apply for Activate Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000). It is self-serve.
- Backed by a VC, accelerator, incubator or angel group: ask it for its Activate Provider Org ID or an invite. Then apply for Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000). Apply within 12 months of your latest funding date.
- AI startup ready to scale: AWS Credits for AI Startups ($200,000 or more, by invitation) is arranged through your AWS account manager.
- AWS says you hear back within 5 to 10 business days. Credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, so apply when you have work to run.
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
Did the Activate Portfolio ceiling change in 2026?
What is AWS Credits for AI Startups?
Can CloudRoute or a partner apply for Activate for me?
How long does AWS take to review an Activate application?
Do Activate credits expire?
Why is CloudRoute free for startups?
Find out which partner-filed funding fits your work.
Tell us what you run and what you plan to move, test or build. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.