AWS credits for seed-stage startups: what you apply for, and what a partner files.

IWhich Activate tier fits a seed-stage startup

AWS sets the Activate tier by who backs you, not by the name of your round. The same rules apply at pre-seed.

• Backed by an Activate Provider: Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000. Providers are VC firms, accelerators, incubators and angel investors that work with AWS (AWS providers page). Ask yours for its Org ID or an invite. Apply within 12 months of your latest funding date.
• No provider behind you: Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Self-serve on the AWS credits page.
• AI startup ready to scale: AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000 or more, by invitation, through your AWS account manager.

Raised from $100,000 to up to $200,000 in June 2026. Earlier versions of this page said a partner could file Portfolio for you and gave typical award splits. Both were wrong: you apply yourself, and AWS does not publish award splits.

A seed round raised on SAFEs from several angels works the same way. Ask each investor, and any accelerator you joined, whether it is an Activate Provider.

IIWhat a partner can file for a seed-stage team

Only an AWS consulting partner can request MAP, POC and incremental workload (IW) funding. It is tied to real work and separate from Activate. $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.

• MAP (Migration Acceleration Program): You run on Vercel, Heroku, Google Cloud, Azure or your own servers and plan to move to AWS. Your matched partner scopes the migration and files MAP funding when it qualifies.
• POC (proof of concept) funding: You want to test something before you build it out, such as a support agent on Amazon Bedrock. A POC can fit whether or not you run on AWS today.
• IW (incremental workload) funding: You already run on AWS and are launching new work: a new feature, a new region or a first large customer.

AWS says MAP funds give partners cash or AWS promotional credits to speed up customer migrations, and that partner funds help explore proofs of concept (AWS partner funding page, AWS MAP page).

You can apply for Activate and also work with a partner. The two do not depend on each other.

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.

IVHow to get both, step by step

• Check eligibility. The AWS credits page asks for pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, and an AWS account on a paid plan.
• Ask your investors and accelerator for an Activate Org ID. With one, apply for Portfolio. Without one, apply for Founders.
• Apply yourself on the AWS credits page, within 12 months of your latest funding date for Portfolio.
• Wait for AWS. AWS says you hear back within 5 to 10 business days. Its FAQ says approved credits appear in the Billing console in 3 to 4 hours.
• List the work you plan: migrations, tests and launches. A matched partner checks which qualify for MAP, POC or IW funding, scopes the work and files the request. AWS decides.

VPlan how long the credits last

Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. Apply when you have work to run on them.

AWS Cost Explorer forecasts spend up to 18 months ahead (AWS docs). Use it to see when your credits will run out.

Unless AWS agrees otherwise, promotional credits do not pay upfront fees for Savings Plans or Reserved Instances, AWS Marketplace or AWS Professional Services (AWS promotional credit terms).