AWS MAP funding, explained: what it funds, who files it, who qualifies.
MAP (Migration Acceleration Program) funding helps pay for moving existing workloads to AWS. AWS gives partners cash or AWS promotional credits to speed up customer migrations. Your matched partner files it when the migration qualifies, and AWS approves. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP is AWS's program for migrating existing workloads to AWS. It combines a method (Assess, Mobilize, then Migrate and Modernize) with tools, training, partner expertise and financial investments.
- MAP funding is partner-filed. Your matched AWS partner files it. The migration qualifies and AWS approves it. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP depends on what you move, not on your funding stage. That is why it is usually the bigger route for a startup without a VC: AWS Activate Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000.
IWhat MAP funds
MAP helps pay for a migration: the planning, the foundation you migrate into, and the move itself.
AWS describes the Migration Acceleration Program as providing "the tools, training, expertise from AWS Migration Competency Partners, and financial investments you need to succeed."
On its partner funding page, AWS says MAP funds give partners cash or AWS promotional credits to accelerate customer migrations. AWS offers migration investments, as AWS credits or partner investments, to offset one-time migration costs.
AWS does not publish a MAP price list or formula on its public pages, so a fixed percentage you read elsewhere is an estimate. An earlier version of this page quoted one, along with per-phase amounts; we removed them. The amount depends on the migration, and AWS approves it.
IIThe three MAP phases
AWS names three phases. Each one de-risks the next.
- Assess: AWS says you will "understand what you need to succeed and build a realistic TCO model for your migration". Discovery tools map what you run and what depends on what.
- Mobilize: AWS says you will "get clear guidance on migration strategies" and accelerate decisions. In practice this is the landing zone, runbooks and a pilot migration.
- Migrate and Modernize: Production workloads move in waves, with AWS migration services and partner expertise. Some are rehosted, some moved to managed services.
For a step-by-step view of a migration, see the AWS migration checklist.
IIIWho qualifies for MAP funding
MAP is about the migration. Your partner checks fit before filing, and AWS decides.
- A real migration: Existing workloads moving to AWS from a data center, another cloud or a hosting platform. A new build on AWS is not a migration.
- A business case and a sponsor: Someone who can say "we intend to move", with a reason: a contract ending, a cost problem, a customer requirement.
- A partner to file and deliver: You cannot file MAP yourself. The partner files it and usually does the migration work.
- AWS approval: AWS reviews the request and decides the amount.
Not moving anything? If you want to test something, POC funding may fit. If you are already on AWS and launching new work, incremental workload (IW) funding may fit.
IVMAP funding vs AWS Activate
Different jobs, different filers. You can have both.
| MAP funding | AWS Activate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who files it | Your AWS partner | You (Founders), or you with your Activate Provider's Org ID (Portfolio) |
| What it is for | Moving existing workloads to AWS | General startup credits |
| Based on | The migration | Your company and who backs it |
| Amount | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | Founders: $1,000 to start, up to $5,000. Portfolio: up to $200,000. |
| Can a partner file it? | Yes, only a partner | No |
VAll AWS funding routes, by who files them
Partner routes first, then the 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. |
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 MAP funding
Your matched partner scopes the migration with you. Then it checks whether the move qualifies for MAP (Migration Acceleration Program) funding. MAP is for teams that are not on AWS yet.
- 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 is AWS MAP funding?
Who files MAP funding?
How much MAP funding can a startup get?
Is MAP better than AWS Activate?
Does a new build on AWS qualify for MAP?
Planning a move to AWS?
We pick one vetted AWS partner with migration experience in your stack and region. The partner checks whether the move qualifies for MAP 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.