AWS credits for pre-seed startups: what you apply for, and what a partner can file.
At pre-seed, who backs you decides your Activate tier. With no investor, you apply for Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. With an angel group or accelerator that is an Activate Provider, you apply for Portfolio with its Org ID: up to $200,000. A vetted AWS partner can also file MAP, POC or IW funding for real work: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- No investor yet: apply for Activate Founders yourself, $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
- Backed by an angel group, accelerator, incubator or VC that is an Activate Provider: ask it for an Org ID and apply for Activate Portfolio yourself, up to $200,000. Pre-seed is not excluded. The amount depends on your provider, and AWS decides.
- When you have real work to move, test or launch, a vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IWhich Activate tier fits a pre-seed startup
AWS decides the Activate tier by who backs you, not by the name of your round. You apply for every tier yourself.
- No investor behind you: Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Self-serve on the AWS credits page.
- Backed by an Activate Provider: Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000. Providers are VC firms, accelerators, incubators and angel investors (AWS providers page). Ask yours for its Org ID or an invite, then apply within 12 months of your latest funding date.
Earlier versions of this page said Portfolio does not apply at pre-seed and that a partner could file Founders for you. Both were wrong. Pre-seed startups with an Activate Provider can apply for Portfolio, and nobody files Activate for you.
IIWhen partner-filed funding fits at pre-seed
Partner-filed funding follows the work, not the round. $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP (Migration Acceleration Program): You already run a product on another cloud or your own servers and want to move it to AWS. Your matched partner files MAP funding when the migration qualifies.
- POC (proof of concept) funding: You have a real test to run, such as an AI feature 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 first large customer. Your matched partner files IW funding when it qualifies.
If you are still at the idea stage with no workload yet, start with Activate. Come back to the partner route when there is work to scope.
AWS reviews every request and decides. Sources: the AWS MAP page and the AWS partner funding page.
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. |
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
Can a pre-seed startup get Activate Portfolio?
Should I wait until my seed round to apply?
I have not incorporated yet. Can I apply?
How much can a partner file at pre-seed?
Can CloudRoute or a partner apply for Activate for me?
Why is CloudRoute free for startups?
See what a partner can file for your pre-seed startup.
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.