Partner-filed AWS credits, explained: what a partner can file, and what you apply for yourself.
An AWS consulting partner can request funding that only partners can request: MAP for migrations, POC funding for tests, and incremental workload (IW) funding for new work on AWS. A partner cannot file AWS Activate credits. You apply for Activate yourself.
- Partner-filed AWS funding is money an AWS consulting partner requests from AWS for a specific customer project. There are three routes: MAP (Migration Acceleration Program) when you move to AWS, POC funding when you test something, and incremental workload (IW) funding when you launch new work on AWS.
- Through a partner, a startup can get $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. A self-funded startup gets $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 from AWS Activate Founders, so for most startups without a VC the partner route is the bigger one.
- A partner cannot file AWS Activate. You apply for Activate Founders yourself. You apply for Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000) yourself too, with the Org ID or invite from your Activate Provider. AWS Credits for AI Startups is invite only, through your AWS account manager.
IWhat "partner-filed" means
Some AWS funding can only be requested by an AWS partner, for a customer project. "Partner-filed" means the partner asks AWS for that funding for your project. AWS decides.
AWS describes this on its partner funding page: funds that help partners "explore proof of concepts, and accelerate migration projects". Under the Migration Acceleration Program, AWS gives partners cash or AWS promotional credits to speed up customer migrations.
The partner registers your project with AWS in AWS Partner Central. Partners co-sell with AWS through the ACE program (APN Customer Engagements) and register customer opportunities there. Funding requests are tied to a real engagement like that. If there is no qualifying project, there is nothing to request.
So partner-filed funding is not a general grant for your company. It pays toward a defined piece of work: a migration, a test, or a new workload.
IIThe three partner routes: MAP, POC and IW
Which route fits depends on where you run today and what you want to do next.
- Migration Acceleration Program (MAP): You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. Your matched AWS partner files it. The migration qualifies and AWS approves it.
- Proof of concept (POC) funding: You want to test something, whether or not you are on AWS today. Your matched AWS partner files it. The test qualifies and AWS approves it.
- Incremental workload (IW) funding: You are already on AWS and are launching new work: a new AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. Your matched AWS partner files it. The new workload qualifies and AWS approves it.
For startups, the amount is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. The range comes from CloudRoute partner records, not from an AWS price list. AWS does not publish startup amounts for these routes, and it does not name IW funding on a public page.
Partner funding programs reach about $1M, but that tier is for enterprises such as banks, hospitals and municipalities, not startups.
IIIWho files each kind of AWS funding
Partner routes first, then the AWS Activate offers you apply for yourself.
| 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 partner cannot file: AWS Activate
AWS Activate is AWS's credit program for startups. The founder applies. No consulting partner can apply for it on your behalf.
AWS Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed.
AWS Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000. Apply yourself with the Org ID (or an invite) from your AWS Activate Provider. Apply within 12 months of your latest funding date. A consulting partner cannot file it.
AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000 or more, by invitation. Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application.
Details and the application link are on the AWS Activate credits page. AWS says applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days.
An earlier version of this page said a partner could file Activate for you through a special review queue. That was wrong. We rewrote the page on 10 October 2026.
VWhat a partner needs from you
A partner can only request funding for work that is real and scoped. Bring these and the first call is short.
- What you run today: Where the product is hosted, the main services and databases, and roughly what you spend each month.
- What you want to do: Move to AWS, test something (for example a Bedrock feature), or launch new work on AWS such as a new AI feature, customer or contract.
- The business reason: Why this work matters now: a customer deadline, a cost problem, a product launch.
- A rough timeline: When the work should start and when you want it live.
VIWhere CloudRoute fits, and how it makes money
CloudRoute does not file anything. It picks one vetted partner for your project and introduces you.
CloudRoute is a free referral service that matches startups with vetted AWS consulting partners. The partner files the AWS funding only partners can request (MAP for migrations, POC for tests, incremental workload funding for new work on AWS) when the work qualifies and AWS approves it. Startups pay nothing. Partners pay CloudRoute a monthly membership plus 10% of AWS-approved funding. CloudRoute is not part of AWS and does not issue credits.
We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.
When you do not need us: if you only want Activate credits, apply yourself on the AWS Activate page. If your test is small enough to run on your own budget, you may not need partner funding at all.
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
What does "partner-filed" AWS funding mean?
Can a partner file AWS Activate credits for me?
How much partner-filed funding can a startup get?
What is the ACE program?
Do I pay CloudRoute or the partner?
Do I need to be on AWS already?
Find out which partner route fits your project
Tell us what you want to move, test or build. We pick one vetted AWS partner who can check MAP, POC or IW funding for it: $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.