Cloud & hosting

Alibaba Cloud Startup Program: credits and free Model Studio tokens for AI startups

Open applicationLast verified 15 October 2026

Credit amount (provider's words)

Up to $120k cloud credits support + up to 2B free Model Studio tokens + POC coupons

As stated by Alibaba Cloud; not a guarantee. Alibaba Cloud decides who is approved.

Apply on Alibaba Cloud →Opens the official Alibaba Cloud page. SuperLaunch earns nothing from this link.

The Alibaba Cloud startup program, now presented as the AI Catalyst Program, offers AI startups up to $120k in cloud credits support, up to 2 billion free Model Studio tokens for Qwen models, and POC coupons. Alibaba Cloud says it is especially interested in AI video and image generation, model aggregators and content moderation, and successful applicants hear back by email within 4–5 business days.

Alibaba Cloud's AI startup offer, now branded the 'AI Catalyst Program' on the application page, combines cloud credits with free Model Studio (Qwen) tokens. It is aimed at AI startups that will build on Alibaba Cloud. It says it is especially interested in AI video and image generation, model aggregators and content moderation.

What you get

Up to $120k cloud credits support
Up to 2B free Model Studio tokens
POC coupons
1:1 office hours with Alibaba Cloud AI experts
12 months of access to Alibaba Cloud Academy, plus invitations to global events and the AI Alliance network

Eligibility

AI startups that plan to build on Alibaba Cloud and its AI tools
Priority areas: AI video/image creation, AI model aggregators and content moderation
Selection is at Alibaba Cloud's discretion. No funding or age thresholds are published on the current page

How the Alibaba Cloud startup program works

Credit types and validity

Up to $120k cloud credits support
Up to 2B free Model Studio tokens
POC coupons
1:1 office hours with Alibaba Cloud AI experts
12 months of Alibaba Cloud Academy access, global events and the AI Alliance network

How the credits are applied and when they expire

Apply on alibabacloud.com/startup (it redirects to the AI programme page) and answer any follow-up email asking for more information. Accepted startups join the AI Catalyst Program; the credit, token and coupon amounts are 'up to' figures decided case by case, and no expiry terms are published on the current page.

Approval time

Successful applicants are notified by email within 4–5 business days

For founders in India

No India-specific terms published. The programme page sets no country rules; selection is at Alibaba Cloud's discretion.

How to apply, step by step

Open alibabacloud.com/startup, which redirects to the AI program page, and click 'Apply now'
Submit the online application form on that page
Answer any follow-up email asking for more information
Successful applicants are told by email within 4–5 business days, then join the AI Catalyst Program

Documents and details to keep ready

Not published. Answer any extra information Alibaba requests by email during the review

Tips before you apply

Show a concrete plan to build on Alibaba Cloud and Model Studio, ideally in the priority areas (AI video/image, model aggregators, content moderation)
Reply quickly to any follow-up email requesting more information
Treat amounts as maximums and confirm your actual allocation and validity after acceptance

Terms to know

Amounts are 'up to' figures. The actual credits and tokens are decided case by case

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Alibaba Cloud startup program give?

Up to $120k in cloud credits support, up to 2B free Model Studio tokens, and POC coupons, plus expert office hours and Academy access. Actual amounts are decided case by case.

What is the Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program?

It is the current name used on Alibaba Cloud's AI startup application page; accepted startups join it after notification.

How long does Alibaba Cloud take to approve startups?

Successful applicants are notified by email within 4–5 business days.

Which startups does Alibaba Cloud prioritise?

AI startups building on Alibaba Cloud, with particular interest in AI video/image creation, AI model aggregators and content moderation.

Checked against Alibaba Cloud's own pages on 15 October 2026. Official sources:

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