AWS Activate in 2026: Founders, Portfolio and AWS Credits for AI Startups.
AWS Activate has three offers today. Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000, and you apply yourself. Portfolio is up to $200,000, and you apply yourself with an Org ID from your Activate Provider. AWS Credits for AI Startups is invite only. AWS lists no Builders tier, and no partner can file any of them.
- AWS Activate Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Self-funded startups with no investor or accelerator behind them. Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed.
- AWS Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000. Startups backed by a VC firm, accelerator or angel investor that is an AWS Activate Provider. 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. The AWS credits page lists no Builders tier.
IThe three AWS Activate offers, side by side
All three are on the AWS Activate credits page. In each case the founder applies, or is invited. A consulting partner cannot apply for you.
| Offer | Amount | Who applies | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Activate Founders | $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 | The founder | Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. No investor, accelerator or partner needed. |
| AWS Activate Portfolio | up to $200,000 | The founder | 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 | The founder, by invitation | Invite only. Talk with your AWS account manager. There is no open application. |
IIWho can apply, and how long it takes
The same basic rules apply to Founders and Portfolio.
- Eligibility: Pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, with an AWS account on a paid plan. You must be new to Activate credits or ask for more than you got before.
- Portfolio window: Apply for Portfolio within 12 months of your most recent funding date.
- Where the Org ID comes from: Your Activate Provider: a VC firm, accelerator, incubator or angel group in the AWS program. Providers can also invite you directly (AWS providers page).
- Review time: AWS says applicants hear back within 5 to 10 business days.
- Expiry: AWS says Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. See Do AWS credits expire?
IIIWhat changed from older guides
An earlier version of this page, like many guides, described the tiers wrongly.
It described a third tier the AWS credits page does not list, a lower Portfolio ceiling, and Portfolio applications filed by a partner or a VC. None of that matches AWS today. Raised from $100,000 to up to $200,000 in June 2026. You apply for it yourself with your provider's Org ID or invite.
If a guide or a vendor tells you a partner can file Activate for you, or unlock a hidden tier, check it against the AWS credits page.
IVWithout a VC, the bigger route is partner-filed funding
Most startups have no VC or accelerator behind them, so for them Activate means Founders. A partner can file much more for real work.
A vetted AWS partner can file MAP funding when you move to AWS, POC funding when you test something, and incremental workload (IW) funding when you launch new work on AWS. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. That is on top of anything you get from Activate, which you still 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. |
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
How much is each AWS Activate tier in 2026?
Is there a Builders tier in AWS Activate?
Can a partner or my VC file Activate Portfolio for me?
How long does an Activate review take?
What can I get without a VC?
Apply for Activate yourself. Ask a partner about the rest.
A vetted AWS partner can check MAP, POC or IW funding for your migration, test or new workload: $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.