Program
Private
Active
AWS Activate
Amazon Web Services
Maximum Funding
Up to $200,000
Ongoing / no fixed deadline
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
In Kind
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
Varies
AWS Activate provides Up to $200,000 USD in AWS Activate Credits (Activate Founders: start with $1,000, select participants up to $5,000; Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000; AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000+, invite only). Offers AWS Activate credits to pre-Series B startups founded within the last 10 years, with tiered awards from $1,000 for the Founders tier up to $200,000 for Portfolio tier startups and additional credits for AI startups. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Offers AWS Activate credits to pre-Series B startups founded within the last 10 years, with tiered awards from $1,000 for the Founders tier up to $200,000 for Portfolio tier startups and additional credits for AI startups.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be pre-Series B
- Must have been founded in the last 10 years
- Must have an AWS account on a paid tier plan
- Must be new to Activate Credits, or requesting more credits than previously received
- Must have a fully functioning company website
- Activate Founders tier (self-funded/bootstrapped): apply directly
- Activate Portfolio tier: requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider such as an accelerator, angel investor, or venture capital firm; the most recent funding round must be within the last 12 months (if applicable), and the startup must not have previously received AWS Activate Credits of equal or greater value
- AWS Credits for AI Startups is invite-only for startups scaling past Activate Portfolio
- Credits are in-kind AWS consumption, not cash
- Government entities are not eligible to participate in the programme
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $200,000 USD in AWS Activate Credits (Activate Founders: start with $1,000, select participants up to $5,000; Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000; AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000+, invite only)
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Private
- Deadline
- Ongoing / no fixed deadline
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipUse a company-domain email address, not a personal one, and track your credit expiry since credits typically expire 12–24 months after issuance; AI startups should ask their AWS Activate Provider about additional credit options.
Evaluation Criteria
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The pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win AWS Activate
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 4-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
4 docs
Application Steps
1
Create your AWS Builder ID Select 'Apply now' on the AWS Credits page and create an AWS Builder ID using your personal email address, then verify it through the confirmation email. AWS notes this ID "remains with you across jobs and organizations". If you already have one, sign in instead.
Required Documents 4
✓ AWS account details
✓ Company-domain email
Eligible Expenses 5
Ineligible Expenses 8
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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Stacking partner data not yet available.
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How AWS Activate Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
Free
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about AWS Activate
Free
Who can apply for AWS Activate Credits?
Startups that are pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, with an AWS account on a paid tier plan, and either new to Activate Credits or requesting more than previously received.
How much can a self-funded startup actually get?
The Activate Founders tier starts you with $1,000 USD in credits; AWS says select participants may qualify for additional credits up to $5,000. It is the only tier you can apply for directly.
How do I reach the $200,000 tier?
Activate Portfolio requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider — an accelerator, angel investor or venture capital firm. You request that code from your provider; it cannot be self-issued.
How long does a decision take?
AWS's step-by-step guide says processing usually takes 7-10 business days, and the credits page says you will hear back within 5-10 business days. You are notified by email.
What can't the credits pay for?
AWS Marketplace, Professional Services, Training and Certification, Route 53 domain registration, crypto-mining usage, upfront Savings Plans or Reserved Instance fees, and taxes on your bill.
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Full Playbook: AWS Activate
6 steps · 4 docs · reviewer insights