Beyond the AWS startup program:funding a vetted partner files for you.
Activate is the AWS startup program most founders know, and you apply for it yourself. MAP, POC and IW funding only an AWS partner can file, for a move to AWS, a test or new work on AWS. Without VC backing, that is usually the bigger route. We match early-stage teams with a vetted AWS partner who can file it: for a startup, $50K to $150K. It depends on the workload, and AWS approves. CloudRoute is free for startups.
You need AWS set up right, and you have no DevOps hire.
Three situations we hear often. If one fits, a partner can help, and the work may qualify for AWS funding.
No DevOps hire yet.
Your engineers ship product. You need someone to set up a production AWS account: networking, access, monitoring, backups.
Your platform bill keeps growing.
Moving off Heroku, another cloud or your own servers can cost less at scale. The hard part is the move itself, and the time it takes from your team.
You heard about AWS credits, but not who files what.
Founders apply for Activate themselves. MAP, POC and IW funding can only be filed by an AWS partner, for real work. Most founders only hear about the first.
Every AWS startup program, and who files it.
Two kinds of AWS money. Activate you apply for yourself. MAP, POC and IW funding only an AWS partner can file, for real work that qualifies. For a startup without VC backing, the partner route is usually the bigger one.
Your matched partner files MAP, POC or IW funding as part of the work. You do not fill in AWS forms. For a startup it can be $50K to $150K. It depends on the workload, and AWS approves. Activate you apply for yourself, and no partner can file it for you.
Building with AI? POC and IW funding can cover it.
Want to test Claude or other models on Amazon Bedrock? A partner can file POC funding for the test. Already on AWS and adding an AI feature? That can be IW funding. Both need a real workload and AWS approval.
- 01Claude on Amazon Bedrock: the same models, with AWS billing and access control
- 02Several models behind one AWS API, so you can switch
- 03Search over your own documents
- 04Quality checks and monitoring before users see it
Ready when you are.
Tell us what you're building. We find the funding route that fits and a vetted AWS partner who can file it. No technical knowledge needed.
Apply in 90 seconds.Free for startups.
- 90-second formtell us what you're building. No technical questions, no AWS knowledge needed.
- 24-hour replya person reads it and replies within 24 hours. Your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.
- Free for startupspartners pay CloudRoute a membership plus 10% of AWS-approved funding. You never get an invoice from us.
What happens after you fill in the form.
One example, step by step. It shows the process, not a result.
How a match works (example)
Example: a startup wants to move off another cloud, test an AI feature, or launch new work on AWS. These are the steps every match follows.
- The founder fills in the form.
Cloud, stage, monthly spend and what they are building. It takes about 90 seconds. No AWS knowledge needed.
- We reply within 24 hours.
A person at CloudRoute reads the inquiry and checks which route fits: MAP for a move to AWS, POC for a test, IW for new work on AWS. VC-backed founders also hear how to apply for Activate themselves.
- We pick one vetted partner and say who.
We choose an AWS partner by region, stack and funding route, and tell the founder why.
- The partner reaches out within 5 business days.
They run a discovery call and write a short scope: the work, the funding route they would file, and what AWS will ask to see.
- The partner files. AWS decides.
If the workload qualifies, the partner files MAP, POC or IW funding. AWS reviews it and approves or declines. Nothing is promised before AWS approves.
- The founder decides.
Hire the partner or not. There is no obligation. Startups pay CloudRoute nothing. Partners pay CloudRoute a monthly membership of $5K, $7.5K or $10K plus 10% of AWS-approved funding.
When you don't need us.
We would rather tell you now than waste your time. Skip CloudRoute if one of these is true.
You only want Activate credits.
Apply yourself at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits. Founders get $1K, up to $5K. If a VC firm, accelerator or angel investor backs you, ask them for their Activate Org ID: Portfolio goes up to $200K. No partner is needed, and none can file it for you.
You have no real workload yet.
MAP, POC and IW funding are for real work a partner will deliver. If you are still exploring an idea, start with Activate Founders and come back when you have something to build, test or move.
You already work with an AWS partner.
Ask them about MAP, POC or IW funding directly. They can file it, and you do not need a second introduction.
90 seconds. Three steps. A reply within 24 hours.
We use this to pick the right partner and the funding route that fits, before the discovery call. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.
Things founders ask.
What is the AWS startup program?
AWS Activate is AWS's main startup program, and you apply for it yourself: AWS Activate Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000), AWS Activate Portfolio (up to $200,000, with an Org ID from your Activate Provider) or AWS Credits for AI Startups ($200,000 or more, by invitation). AWS also funds real projects through its partner programs: an AWS partner can file MAP, POC or IW funding, $50K to $150K for a startup. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
Is CloudRoute a middleman? Why is it free?
Yes. CloudRoute is a referral service between startups and AWS partners. It is free for startups because partners pay us: a monthly membership of $5K, $7.5K or $10K, plus 10% of AWS-approved funding. We are not part of AWS and do not issue credits.
Who files the funding, and who applies for Activate?
Your matched partner files MAP, POC or IW funding when the workload qualifies, and AWS approves or declines it. You apply for Activate yourself. AWS Activate Founders: apply at aws.amazon.com/startups/credits, no investor or partner needed. AWS Activate Portfolio: apply with the Org ID or invite from your Activate Provider (a VC firm, accelerator or angel investor), within 12 months of your latest funding. AWS Credits for AI Startups: invite only, through your AWS account manager. No partner, and not CloudRoute, can file Activate for you.
How fast does this go?
We reply within 24 hours. Your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days to book a discovery call. How long AWS takes to review partner-filed funding depends on the program and the workload. Your partner tells you what to expect before anything is filed.
I'm not on AWS yet. Does this still work?
Yes. Moving onto AWS is what MAP is for. If you are starting fresh rather than moving, POC funding can cover a test of what you want to build, when it qualifies.
What if the partner is not a fit?
Tell us. We can introduce a different partner. You never have to hire anyone.