AWS credits for unfunded startups: no investor needed, and a bigger partner route.
You do not need funding to get AWS credits. Apply for Activate Founders yourself. A vetted AWS partner can also file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding for your work: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- You do not need an investor to get AWS credits. AWS tells bootstrapped and self-funded startups to apply for Activate Founders directly: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
- Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) needs an Org ID from an Activate Provider. With no investor or accelerator behind you, Founders is your Activate tier.
- A vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. For an unfunded startup, this is the larger route.
ICan an unfunded startup get AWS credits?
Yes. AWS Activate Founders is built for startups with no investor.
The AWS credits page tells bootstrapped and self-funded startups to apply directly. Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. You need no investor, accelerator or partner.
The rules on that page are pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, and an AWS account on a paid plan. Funding is not one of them.
Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) needs an Org ID from an Activate Provider: a VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel investor. If none backs you, Founders is your Activate tier.
IIWhy the partner route matters most without an investor
Without an investor, Activate gives you $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Through a vetted AWS partner, the same startup can get $50K to $150K in MAP, POC or incremental workload funding. 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.
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
Do I need funding to get AWS credits?
How much can an unfunded startup get from AWS?
Can a partner file Activate Founders 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 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.