Bedrock POC credits: how partner-filed POC funding works for a Bedrock test.
Proof of concept (POC) funding is AWS funding an AWS partner requests for a defined test, such as a Bedrock feature. The partner files it when the test qualifies, and AWS decides. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. It is separate from AWS Activate, which you apply for yourself.
- Bedrock POC credits come from partner-filed proof of concept (POC) funding. An AWS partner requests it for a defined test, for example a Bedrock feature, whether or not you run on AWS today. AWS decides.
- For startups, partner-filed funding is $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. AWS does not publish a POC price list or a POC review time, so treat fixed figures on other sites with care.
- It is separate from AWS Activate. You apply for Activate yourself: Founders is $1,000 to start, up to $5,000, and Portfolio is up to $200,000 with your Activate Provider's Org ID.
IWhat Bedrock POC funding is
AWS funding for a defined test, requested by an AWS partner who is working with you on it.
AWS says its partner funding helps partners "explore proof of concepts, and accelerate migration projects" (AWS partner funding page). For a startup, that means a partner scopes a test with you, registers the opportunity with AWS, and requests POC funding for it.
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.
There is no public form for founders, because the request is tied to a project the partner is doing with you.
Older versions of this page quoted fixed POC amounts and review times. AWS does not publish either, so we removed them.
IIWhat makes a POC fundable
A fundable POC is not bigger than an unfundable one. It is more specific. These five things give a partner what it needs to scope the test and file the request.
1. A named business problem
Not "add AI to our app". Instead: "support agents spend about 6 minutes summarizing each ticket; we want a Bedrock summary to cut that to under a minute across about 2,000 tickets a day." A problem with a number attached shows the test is real.
2. A Bedrock-native design
Name the model, or the short list you will compare, and the AWS services around it: a knowledge base for retrieval, S3 for documents, Lambda or Step Functions for orchestration, Guardrails for safety, CloudWatch for monitoring.
3. Clear success metrics
Say how you will decide whether it worked: a quality measure (accuracy, summary quality, deflection rate), a latency target, a cost-per-request ceiling, and a go or no-go line.
4. A bounded scope
A POC has an end. Keep it to one workload, one data set and one group of users, with a start date, milestones and an evaluation date.
5. A path to production
Say what production looks like if the test works: expected monthly requests, the model you would run, and what that means for your AWS spend.
Write the POC as one paragraph. It should answer five questions: What problem? Which Bedrock model and services? How will you measure success? Over what window? What does production look like if it works? If any answer is vague, fix it before you talk to a partner.
IIIPOC funding vs AWS Activate
Different programs, different filers. You can have both.
Activate is general startup credit that you apply for yourself. POC funding is tied to one test and filed by a partner. If you are already on AWS and the work is a new launch rather than a test, incremental workload (IW) funding may fit instead.
AWS says Activate credits can also pay for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock, such as Anthropic, Meta and Mistral AI models (AWS post).
| 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. |
IVAfter the POC
Run the test against the metrics you set, and keep an eye on unit cost so production is not a surprise.
- Measure what you promised: Quality against your rubric, cost per request, latency, and the monthly spend you would see at production volume.
- Control inference cost: Match the model to each task, use prompt caching where the prompt has stable context, use batch inference where latency allows, and keep retrieved context lean.
- Plan the next step: If the test works and you launch on AWS, ask your partner whether the new workload qualifies for IW funding.
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
Are Bedrock POC credits the same as AWS Activate credits?
How much can Bedrock POC funding be?
Do I need to be VC-backed to get POC funding?
Why is there no public form for POC funding?
Do I need to run on AWS already?
Turn your Bedrock idea into a funded test
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.