AWS credits for HR tech startups: the same Activate rules, plus a partner route.
AWS has no separate credit program for HR tech startups. You apply for Activate yourself. A vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding for HR tech work: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- AWS does not run a separate credit program for HR tech startups. Activate has the same tiers for every industry, and you apply yourself.
- Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 with no investor. Activate Portfolio goes up to $200,000 with an Org ID from your Activate Provider.
- A vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding for HR tech work: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. For most startups with no VC behind them, this is the larger route.
IAWS credit rules are the same for HR tech startups
AWS does not run a separate credit program for HR tech. What you can get depends on who backs you and what work you run, not on your market.
Activate has three tiers, and you apply for all three yourself. Activate Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000) is for startups with no investor. Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) is for startups backed by an Activate Provider, with its Org ID. AWS Credits for AI Startups ($200,000 or more, by invitation) goes through your AWS account manager.
Credit ranges per industry that you may see online, including on earlier versions of this page, are not AWS figures. AWS publishes its tiers on the AWS credits page.
Activate credits pay for eligible AWS usage. Unless AWS agrees otherwise, the AWS promotional credit terms exclude upfront fees for Savings Plans and Reserved Instances, AWS Marketplace and AWS Professional Services, among others.
IIWhich partner-filed funding fits HR tech work
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 run payroll, HRIS or recruiting systems on another cloud or your own servers and want to move them to AWS. Your matched partner files MAP funding when the migration qualifies.
- POC (proof of concept) funding: You want to test something new, such as an AI recruiting assistant or a policy Q&A tool on Amazon Bedrock. Your matched partner files POC funding when the test qualifies.
- IW (incremental workload) funding: You are already on AWS and are launching new work, such as a new enterprise customer that needs its own deployment, or payroll in a new country. Your matched partner files IW funding when it 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.
IIIWho 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. |
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
Is there an AWS credit program just for HR tech startups?
How much can a partner file for HR tech work?
Does handling payroll and employee data change what AWS funds?
Can CloudRoute or a partner apply for Activate for me?
How long does AWS take to review an Activate application?
Why is CloudRoute free for startups?
Find out which partner-filed funding fits your HR tech 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.