AWS credits for generative AI startups: what you apply for, and what a partner files.
You apply for Activate yourself, and Activate credits can pay for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock. To test or launch a generative AI feature, a vetted AWS partner can file POC or incremental workload funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- Activate is the same for every startup, and you apply yourself: Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000) or Portfolio (up to $200,000) with an Org ID from your Activate Provider. AWS made Activate credits redeemable for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock in April 2024.
- A vetted AWS partner can file POC funding to test a generative AI feature, or incremental workload (IW) funding when you are already on AWS and launching it: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- AWS Credits for AI Startups ($200,000 or more, by invitation) and the Generative AI Accelerator are chosen by AWS. No partner files them.
IThree kinds of AWS money for a generative AI startup
Each one has a different person who files it. Knowing which is which saves you from paying anyone for something you can do yourself.
- Activate credits (you apply): Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000, self-serve. Portfolio is up to $200,000, with the Org ID or invite from your VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel group if it is an Activate Provider. Source: the AWS credits page.
- Partner-filed funding (a partner files): POC funding to test a generative AI feature, IW funding when you are already on AWS and launching it, or MAP if you are moving an existing workload to AWS. $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- Programs AWS selects you for: AWS Credits for AI Startups is invite only: $200,000 or more, by invitation, through your AWS account manager. 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. Source: the AWS post on the 2025 cohort.
Earlier versions of this page added these up into a partner-filed stack and quoted a median Accelerator award. That was wrong: a partner cannot file Activate, and AWS publishes no median award.
IIUsing AWS credits on Amazon Bedrock
On Amazon Bedrock, AWS bills you for the models you call, so AWS credits can pay that bill.
In April 2024, AWS made Activate credits redeemable for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock, naming Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, Cohere, AI21 Labs and Stability AI (AWS announcement).
Unless AWS agrees otherwise, the AWS promotional credit terms exclude AWS Marketplace, AWS Professional Services and upfront fees for Savings Plans and Reserved Instances, among others. Check the terms of your own credit package.
If you are testing a new generative AI feature, ask your matched partner whether POC funding fits the test. If you already run on AWS and are launching the feature, ask about IW funding. AWS decides both.
IIIWho files each kind of AWS funding
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. |
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 an Activate Provider: ask it for its Org ID or an invite, then apply for Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) within 12 months of your latest funding date.
- 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 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
Is there an AWS credit program just for generative AI startups?
Can Activate credits pay for Claude on Amazon Bedrock?
How much can a partner file for a generative AI test?
Can a partner file the Generative AI Accelerator for me?
Can CloudRoute or a partner apply for Activate for me?
Why is CloudRoute free for startups?
Find out which partner-filed funding fits your AI feature.
Tell us what you run and what you plan to test or launch. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.