AWS Innovation Sandbox: a tool for sandbox accounts, not a credit program.
Innovation Sandbox on AWS is an AWS Solution that lets cloud admins lend out temporary sandbox accounts with security rules, spend alerts and automatic clean-up. It does not give you AWS credits. If you want AWS to help fund a test, that is POC funding, which an AWS partner files.
- Innovation Sandbox on AWS is an AWS Solution that lets cloud administrators set up, lend out and recycle temporary sandbox accounts. It applies security and governance policies, sends spend alerts, and cleans accounts up after use.
- It is not a credit pool. It does not create AWS accounts and it does not come with credits. AWS estimates it costs about $65.25 a month to run at medium scale in US East (N. Virginia).
- If you want AWS to help pay for a test, ask about proof of concept (POC) funding. An AWS partner files it when the test qualifies and AWS approves. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
IWhat Innovation Sandbox on AWS is
An AWS Solution for teams that want people to try AWS services in isolated accounts, without the risk of a runaway bill.
AWS describes it in the Innovation Sandbox on AWS implementation guide: it "allows cloud administrators to set up and recycle temporary sandbox environments" by automating security and governance policies, spend controls and account recycling through a web interface.
It sets up a sandbox organizational unit (OU) with a standard set of policies and guardrails. It sends alerts and takes automated action when spend reaches a budget threshold. It lends an account for a set time or up to a spend limit, then cleans the account up for reuse. It can also block expensive or sensitive actions inside sandbox accounts.
It does not create new AWS accounts or close existing ones. You bring existing accounts, and the solution manages them.
AWS puts the cost of running the solution at medium scale in US East (N. Virginia) at about $65.25 a month (cost page). What your sandbox users run comes on top of that.
IIInnovation Sandbox is not a credit program
Some websites, including an earlier version of this page, described "AWS Innovation Sandbox" as a credit pool that partners file for. We found no AWS source for that.
AWS documents Innovation Sandbox on AWS as account tooling. No AWS page we checked on 10 October 2026 describes a credit pool, an application form or a partner filing route under that name. We removed the old claims, including the dollar ranges, review times and stacking rules.
If someone tells you a partner can get you "Innovation Sandbox credits", ask which AWS program they mean. For a test, the real route is POC funding.
IIIWhere funding for a test actually comes from
AWS funding for tests and new workloads goes through partners, under named routes. AWS Activate credits are separate, and you apply for them yourself.
POC funding fits when you want to test something, whether or not you run on AWS today. Your matched AWS partner files it. The test qualifies and AWS approves it.
Incremental workload (IW) funding fits when you are already on AWS and launching new work, such as a new AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. The new workload qualifies and AWS approves it.
For startups, these partner routes are $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. A self-funded startup gets $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 through Activate Founders, so the partner route is usually the bigger one.
| 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. |
IVRunning Innovation Sandbox yourself
If you want governed sandbox accounts for your team, you can deploy the solution without a partner.
- Read the planning section: The implementation guide covers cost, security, quotas and supported Regions before you deploy.
- Deploy from the templates: AWS CloudFormation templates automate the deployment. The code is on GitHub.
- Set the lease rules: Decide the spend threshold and how long each sandbox account is lent out.
- Plan for clean-up: Accounts are cleaned up and returned to the pool after use, so nothing in a sandbox should be needed later.
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 POC funding
Your matched partner scopes the test with you. Then it checks whether the test qualifies for POC (proof of concept) funding. A POC can fit whether or not you run on AWS today.
- 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 AWS Innovation Sandbox a credit program?
What does Innovation Sandbox on AWS cost?
Does Innovation Sandbox create AWS accounts?
Can a partner get me AWS funding for a test?
Where do I apply for AWS Activate credits?
Planning a test on AWS?
A vetted AWS partner can scope the test and check whether it qualifies for POC funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.