AWS credits for NASSCOM 10000 Startups members: apply for Activate yourself, plus a partner route.
AWS Activate credits come from an application you submit yourself. Founders needs no investor. Portfolio needs an Org ID from an Activate Provider. A vetted AWS partner can file MAP, POC or incremental workload funding for your work.
- AWS Activate credits come from an application you submit yourself. Ask NASSCOM what AWS benefit, if any, its program includes today.
- Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 with no investor. Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) needs an Org ID from an Activate Provider.
- A partner can file a different kind of AWS funding: MAP, POC or incremental workload (IW). That is $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IHow Activate works for NASSCOM 10000 Startups members
Activate Portfolio is not a program benefit you get automatically. It is an AWS application you submit yourself, with an Org ID from an Activate Provider.
AWS Activate Providers are VC firms, accelerators, incubators and angel investors. A provider gives each startup it backs a one-time Org ID or an email invite. See AWS Activate Providers.
The CloudRoute directory does not list NASSCOM 10000 Startups as a provider. Ask the NASSCOM 10000 Startups team whether it is one. If it is not, an investor that backs you may be.
With an Org ID, apply on the AWS credits page yourself. The amount depends on the provider's offer, up to $200,000. Apply within 12 months of your latest funding date. Each Org ID works once.
With no provider behind you, apply for Activate Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000). You do not need a partner for Activate, and a partner cannot file it for you.
IIAWS Regions for India workloads
AWS runs two Regions in India: Asia Pacific (Mumbai), ap-south-1, and Asia Pacific (Hyderabad), ap-south-2. Mumbai is turned on by default. Hyderabad is an opt-in Region: turn it on in your account before you use it. See the AWS Regions list.
India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 can shape where and how you store personal data. Check it with your own adviser or your matched partner before you move.
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. |
IVWhat a vetted AWS partner can file for you
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 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.
VHow 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
Does NASSCOM 10000 Startups give AWS credits automatically?
How much is Activate Founders?
Which AWS Regions are in India?
Is the partner route separate from Activate?
Can CloudRoute or a partner apply for Activate for me?
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.