AWS Activate credits for startups

What you get

• Activate Founders (self-funded): starts with $1,000 USD in Activate Credits; select participants may qualify for up to $5,000
• Activate Portfolio (pre-Series B): up to $200,000 USD in Activate Credits
• AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000+ in AWS credits, invite only, for startups ready to scale after Activate Portfolio
• Kiro Startup Credits are offered separately to eligible startups that do not already hold Activate Credits

Eligibility

• Pre-Series B and founded in the last 10 years
• AWS account on the Paid Tier plan
• New to Activate Credits, or requesting more credits than previously received
• Portfolio tier only: an Organization ID (Org ID) from your Activate Provider (accelerator, angel investor or VC firm)

How AWS Activate credits work

Credit types and validity

• Activate Founders: starts at $1,000 USD in Activate Credits; select participants may qualify for up to $5,000
• Activate Portfolio: up to $200,000 USD in Activate Credits (requires an Activate Provider Org ID; pre-Series B, latest round within 12 months)
• AWS Credits for AI Startups: $200,000+ (invite only, via your AWS Account Manager, after Activate Portfolio)
• Kiro Startup Credits (separate offer for eligible startups without current Activate Credits)
• Validity: AWS says credits usually expire within 1–2 years depending on the package; exact expiry shows in the Billing console

How the credits are applied and when they expire

Credits are linked to the AWS account you connect to your AWS Builder ID. They apply monthly to new usage charges on eligible services and eligible AWS Support plans; they do not cover past bills, and you cannot choose which services they apply to first. Balance and expiry dates are under Billing > Credits. Credits are in USD and governed by the AWS Promotional Credit Terms & Conditions.

Approval time

AWS states 5–10 business days on the credits page and about 7–10 business days in its application guide; approved credits appear in the Billing and Cost Management console a few hours after approval.

For founders in India

AWS publishes no India-specific Activate terms: the same tiers apply and all Activate Credits are denominated in USD. Many Indian accelerators and VCs are Activate Providers, so ask yours for an Org ID before applying for the Founders tier.

How to apply, step by step

1. Create an AWS Builder ID with your professional email (or sign in) and complete your profile
2. Choose the tier: Activate Founders if self-funded, or Activate Portfolio if your VC/accelerator is an Activate Provider (get their Org ID)
3. Click 'Apply here' for your tier on aws.amazon.com/startups/credits and answer questions about your product, funding stage and company profile
4. Create or link an AWS account (Paid Tier plan) to your Builder ID and submit
5. AWS says you will hear back within 5–10 business days

Documents and details to keep ready

• Professional (work) email for the AWS Builder ID
• AWS account on the Paid Tier plan to link
• Activate Provider Org ID (Portfolio tier only)
• Product, funding-stage and company-profile details (AWS does not publish a document upload list)

Common reasons applications are declined

• Not eligible: must be pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, on an AWS Paid Tier plan, and new to Activate Credits (or requesting more than previously received)
• AWS Activate could not confirm your association with the Activate Provider whose Org ID you used (named in the AWS Activate FAQ)
• Portfolio applicants must apply within 12 months of their most recent funding date

Tips before you apply

• If you have a VC, accelerator or angel that is an Activate Provider, get their Org ID first: Portfolio goes up to $200,000 vs $5,000 for Founders.
• Use a business email that matches your startup domain for both your Builder ID and the application, as AWS uses it to validate you.
• Upgrade the linked AWS account to the Paid Tier plan before you submit; it is an eligibility requirement.
• Apply when you are about to ramp up usage. Credits typically expire in 1–2 years, and Portfolio applicants must apply within 12 months of their latest round.

Terms to know

• All Activate Credits are in USD and subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms & Conditions
• The $200,000+ AI track is invite only via your AWS Account Manager