{"id":23909,"date":"2026-10-29T16:00:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/?p=23909"},"modified":"2026-10-29T16:22:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:22:26","slug":"aws-activate-credits-for-startups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/aws-activate-credits-for-startups\/","title":{"rendered":"AWS Activate Credits for Startups: How to Get Up to $200k and What Partners Unlock"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Key Takeaways:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate is the startup program from Amazon Web Services, and it has provided over $8 billion in promotional credits to startups since 2013.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Founders tier gives self-funded startups $1,000 in credits, and select startups can qualify for up to $5,000 over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Portfolio tier gives up to $200,000 in credits, but it requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider such as a VC, accelerator, or angel investor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI startups that are ready to scale can discuss credits above $200,000 with their AWS Account Manager.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credits cover more than 200 AWS services, including third-party models on Amazon Bedrock, and they usually expire within 1 to 2 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications take about 7 to 10 business days, and credits cannot be used to pay past bills.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><b>Quick Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To get AWS Activate credits, create an AWS Builder ID, complete your AWS Activate profile using a business email, and choose either the Founders tier (self-funded) or the Portfolio tier (with an Activate Provider\u2019s Org ID). Then add your startup and funding details, link and verify your AWS account, and submit. AWS usually responds within 7 to 10 business days.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every founder knows the feeling of opening that first proper AWS bill, after weeks of spinning up test servers, databases, and maybe an AI model or two on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/what-is-aws\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amazon Web Services (AWS)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and realising that the cloud is quietly eating into the runway that was supposed to last until the next funding round. The product is not even live yet, the investors are asking about burn rate, and each and every dollar is suddenly needing a reason to exist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is exactly where AWS Activate credits are stepping in, helping startups build, test, and launch on AWS without paying the full cloud bill from day one. But how much can you actually get, who qualifies for it, and what role are partners playing in all of this? Well, the answer depends on your funding stage and on who is backing you, so let\u2019s break it down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is the AWS Activate Program?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate is the program Amazon Web Services runs for startups, giving early-stage companies promotional credits along with technical support, business mentorship, and curated training to help them build on AWS. More than 350,000 startups have joined the program since it started in 2013, and AWS has provided over $8 billion in promotional credits to startups globally, which is showing just how central this program has become for founders who are building on the cloud.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate credits are applied directly to your AWS account to offset the cost of eligible services, and they are covering most of what startups are actually using day to day, resulting in support for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compute services like Amazon EC2, Amazon ECS, and Amazon EKS.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managed databases like Amazon RDS and Amazon DynamoDB.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storage on Amazon S3.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Networking through Amazon CloudFront and Amazon VPC.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Third-party AI models on Amazon Bedrock from OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral AI, Meta, and others.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligible AWS Support plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why the credits are not just a discount on hosting; they also give founders room to experiment with architectures and AI models before committing real money to them. And if you are still deciding whether AWS is the right cloud for your startup in the first place, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/aws-vs-azure-vs-google-cloud\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud decision guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> compares all three platforms on pricing, AI, and regional coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate Credit Tiers in 2026: Founders vs Portfolio<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS is currently offering two main credit tiers through the AWS Activate program, and which one you are eligible for depends on your funding stage and on whether you are affiliated with an AWS Activate Provider, so let\u2019s take a look at both.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activate Founders Tier<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Founders tier is designed for self-funded, early-stage startups that have not yet joined an accelerator or raised money from a participating investor. It offers $1,000 in AWS Activate credits, and AWS states that select startups may qualify for up to $5,000 over time. This tier is a really good fit for founders who are building an MVP, testing a product idea or running early pilots, where the cloud bills are still small but every saving is adding to the runway.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activate Portfolio Tier<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Portfolio tier is where the bigger numbers are sitting, as it offers up to $200,000 in AWS Activate credits for startups backed by an Activate Provider. The exact amount is not fixed, as it varies based on your startup\u2019s stage, your funding timeframe, and the package your provider has arranged with AWS; some providers are offering stage-based packages.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Activate Founders<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Activate Portfolio<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit amount<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,000 (up to $5,000 over time for select startups)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to $200,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built for<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-funded startups<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Startups backed by an Activate Provider<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Org ID needed<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funding stage<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-funded<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-Series B<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company age<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in the past 10 years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in the past 10 years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funding deadline<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not tied to a funding round<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply within 12 months of latest funding<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical validity<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 to 2 years, depending on package<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 to 2 years, depending on package<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23919\" src=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups.webp\" alt=\"AWS Credits Ladder for Startups\" width=\"1672\" height=\"940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups.webp 1672w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups-640x360.webp 640w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Credits-Ladder-for-Startups-400x225.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1672px) 100vw, 1672px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The $200,000 figure is the ceiling and not the default, as most startups are receiving whatever their provider\u2019s package allows for their stage, which is why understanding eligibility is extremely crucial before you apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate Eligibility: Who Qualifies for AWS Startup Credits?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligibility for the AWS Activate program is fairly clear once you know what AWS is checking, and both tiers share a few basic rules along with some tier-specific ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for the Founders tier, your startup needs to be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New to AWS Activate credits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-funded.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Running a fully functioning company website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded within the past 10 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for the Portfolio tier, your startup needs to be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Associated with an AWS Activate Provider and holding their Organization ID.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not previously awarded AWS Activate credits of equal or greater value.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-Series B, with the most recent funding round in the last 12 months, if applicable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Running a fully functioning company website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded within the past 10 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And that is not all, as the type of AWS account you are using also matters. Under the AWS Free Tier that launched in July 2025, accounts on the free plan are not eligible for other promotional credits, so founders who signed up on the free plan are usually upgrading to the paid plan before applying for Activate credits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The website requirement is something a lot of founders are underestimating, as a placeholder page or a broken domain gives a poor impression before the application has even been reviewed, and AWS is also using your business email domain to validate your startup\u2019s credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #EEF2FE; border: 1px solid #DBE2FB; border-radius: 14px; padding: 28px 32px; margin: 38px 0;\">\n<p style=\"color: #1b3fae; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.3; font-weight: bold; margin: 0 0 10px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Not Sure Which AWS Activate Tier Fits Your Startup?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4b5563; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0 0 22px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tell us about your product and funding stage, and our AWS-certified team will help you plan your cloud setup and credit strategy before you apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #2563EB; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; padding: 13px 26px; border-radius: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/contact\">Talk to Our AWS Expert\u00a0\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get AWS Activate Credits: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole application for AWS startup credits is done online, starting from the official <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aws.amazon.com\/startups\/credits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate credits page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it takes seven steps from start to submission, so let\u2019s take a look at each one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1: Create or Sign In With Your AWS Builder ID<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select \u201cApply Now\u201d on the AWS Credits page and create an AWS Builder ID, which is your personal profile for AWS tools and services. Since this ID stays with you across jobs and companies, AWS recommends using your personal email here, and you need to verify it through the confirmation email before moving ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2: Complete Your AWS Activate Profile<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a one-time profile that collects information about your startup, and here you need to use your business email address matching your startup\u2019s domain, as consistent domain information helps AWS validate your application.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3: Choose Your Credit Tier<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select the Founders tier if you are self-funded, or the Portfolio tier if you are backed by an Activate Provider. For the Portfolio tier, you need your provider\u2019s Org ID, which is a unique, case-sensitive, and confidential code, and if it appears invalid, you need to contact your provider directly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4: Add Your Startup Details<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide your business information (product, target market, and current traction), your current funding stage, and the date of your most recent funding round. If your round had multiple close dates, use the most recent one, as this information directly affects your eligibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5: Link Your AWS Account<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Link your startup\u2019s primary AWS account to your Builder ID so the credits can be applied to your billing. You need administrator permissions (root user or an IAM user with admin access), pop-ups enabled in your browser, and an account that is not already linked to another Builder ID, since only one Builder ID can link to an AWS account at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 6: Verify Your AWS Account<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select \u201cVerify your account\u201d in the AWS Management Console, and once you see \u201cAccounts linked successfully\u201d, you can return to the application.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 7: Review and Submit<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double-check your funding stage, dates, and email domains before submitting, as applications cannot be edited once they are sent. AWS usually processes applications in 7 to 10 business days and shares the outcome by email; once approved, your credits and their expiry date appear in the AWS Billing and Cost Management Console within 3 to 4 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23918\" src=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide.webp\" alt=\"AWS Activate Credits_ 7-Step Guide\" width=\"1672\" height=\"940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide.webp 1672w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide-640x360.webp 640w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credits_-7-Step-Guide-400x225.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1672px) 100vw, 1672px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Mistakes That Slow Down Your Application<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most delays come from small details rather than big eligibility problems, resulting in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a personal email on the Activate profile instead of a business email on your domain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entering the wrong funding stage or an outdated funding date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typing the Org ID incorrectly, since it is case-sensitive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linking an AWS account without admin permissions, or one already linked to another Builder ID.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying for the Portfolio tier more than 12 months after the last funding round.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since a submitted application cannot be edited, the only fix for a mistake is cancelling it, unlinking your AWS account from your Builder ID, and applying again, which is why double-checking each and every detail before you submit is really saving time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Partners Unlock in the AWS Activate Program<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word \u201cpartner\u201d is being used for two very different groups in AWS startup conversations, and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons founders are confused about why they cannot reach the bigger credit amounts, so let\u2019s break both down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate Providers: The Route to Portfolio Credits<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activate Providers are accelerators, angel investors, venture capital firms, and startup-enabling organisations that have a direct relationship with AWS, and there are thousands of them worldwide. Being affiliated with one is what is opening up the Portfolio tier, as the provider is giving you a unique Organization ID that confirms your eligibility for their specific package level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Activate Provider relationship is bringing your startup:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to the Portfolio tier, with credits of up to $200,000.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A package level matched to your stage, as set by the provider.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A path to a higher package later, if your provider offers stage-based tiers and you move up a stage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you are already part of an accelerator or have raised from an investor, the first thing to do is ask them whether they are an Activate Provider and request their Org ID, because that single code is often the difference between $1,000 and a much larger package.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Consulting Partners: Help With Spending Credits Well<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS consulting partners, known as Services Partners in the AWS Partner Network, are a completely different group, as they are not handing out Activate credits or Org IDs, but they are helping startups design, build, and run workloads on AWS so that the credits are going into the right places. Activate credits are applied to eligible AWS service charges, so they are not covering a partner\u2019s consulting fees, and AWS\u2019s own Professional Services is also listed among the exclusions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where a good partner is really adding value is in the decisions that determine how long your credits last, like picking right-sized services, setting up budgets and alerts, and building an architecture that is still affordable once the credits run out. Our guide on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-an-aws-consulting-partner\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to choose an AWS consulting partner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers partner tiers, verification, and red flags in detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DianApps is an AWS Select Tier Partner, and while we are not an Activate Provider and cannot issue Org IDs, our AWS-certified team is helping startups plan their architecture, build their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/mvp-development-services\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MVP,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and keep cloud costs under control while their credits are running, through our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/aws-services\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS consulting services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going Beyond $200,000 for AI Startups<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS states that additional credits above $200,000 are available for AI startups that are ready to scale beyond Activate\u2019s tiers, and the route here is a conversation with your AWS Account Manager rather than the standard application. Since Activate credits are also accepted for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock, AI-first startups are using them to test which foundation model is fitting their use case before committing a budget to it. If you are building AI features, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/generative-ai-development-services\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">generative AI development services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and our guide on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/on-device-ai-vs-cloud-ai\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on-device AI vs cloud AI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you decide where your models should run.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Partner Type<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Who They Are<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>What They Help Unlock<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate Provider<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accelerators, VCs, angel investors, startup organisations<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Org ID for the Portfolio tier and stage-based credit packages<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Consulting Partner<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Services Partners in the AWS Partner Network<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Architecture, builds and cost governance that stretch your credits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Account Manager<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your contact at AWS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conversations about credits above $200,000 for AI startups<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23917\" src=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate.webp\" alt=\"Who Unlocks What in AWS Activate\" width=\"1787\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate.webp 1787w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate-1024x504.webp 1024w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate-768x378.webp 768w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate-1536x756.webp 1536w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate-640x315.webp 640w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Who-Unlocks-What-in-AWS-Activate-400x197.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1787px) 100vw, 1787px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Free AWS Credits Startups Should Know About<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you even reach the Activate stage, AWS is offering free AWS credits to brand-new customers through the AWS Free Tier. New customers are receiving $100 in credits at sign-up and can earn up to $100 more by exploring services. The free plan is running for up to 6 months or until credits run out, and Free Tier credits expire 12 months after the account is created, along with 30+ services that are always free within monthly limits.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Program<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Credit Amount<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Best For<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Key Condition<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Free Tier<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to $200<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying AWS and early prototypes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New AWS customers only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activate Founders<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,000 (up to $5,000 over time)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-funded startups<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working website, founded in the past 10 years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activate Portfolio<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to $200,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provider-backed startups<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Org ID, pre-Series B<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond Activate (AI)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above $200,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI startups ready to scale<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Via AWS Account Manager<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is helping founders validate an idea on Free Tier credits first and then move to Activate when the product is ready to grow. If you are also comparing startup programs and platforms beyond AWS, our overview of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/top-cloud-service-providers-and-companies\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top cloud service providers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is covering the wider market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What AWS Activate Credits Cover and What They Don\u2019t<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate credits can be used on more than 200 eligible AWS services, but there are a few exclusions that founders are often discovering only when the bill arrives. Credits cannot be applied to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amazon Mechanical Turk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Managed Services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Professional Services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Training and Certification.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS also notes that any service not listed in the AWS Billing and Cost Management Console is not covered. And the way credits are applied matters just as much, as they offset new monthly usage on eligible services only; they do not cover past bills, and you cannot choose which services they go toward, since they are applied automatically to all eligible charges until they are used up or expire. Once that happens, your running services are billed at standard rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Spend AWS Activate Credits Well<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting AWS Activate credits is only half of the job, because the startups that are benefiting the most are the ones treating credits like a budget and not like free money, and the difference is showing up clearly when the credits run out. Here is how to make them count.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apply When You Are Ready To Ramp Up:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AWS itself is advising founders to apply when they are about to launch resource-intensive features or grow their user base, since credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years and unused credits are simply lost.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Forecast the Next 12 Months:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> List the services you are expecting to use and focus on costs that are consistent or increasing, so you know whether your credits will last until your next milestone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Set Up Budgets and Alerts From Day One:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AWS Budgets and the Credits page under Billing show you your balance and expiry date, and checking them monthly really prevents surprises.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shut Down What You Are Not Using: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since credits are applied automatically to all eligible charges, a forgotten test environment is burning credits exactly like your production app, and this is where a lot of runway is disappearing quietly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Experiment With Ai On Credits:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use Amazon Bedrock to compare foundation models while credits are covering the cost, rather than locking in a model too early.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Design For Life After Credits:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> An architecture that only works because it is subsidised is going to hurt when standard pricing starts, which is why automated deployments through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/devops-solutions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DevOps practices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ongoing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/cloud-managed-services\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cloud managed services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are helping startups keep costs predictable. If you are planning to bring in outside help, our guide on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/key-considerations-when-hiring-a-cloud-managed-service-provider\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiring a cloud managed service provider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers what to look for.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Share Your Forecasts With AWS.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Discussing upcoming releases with your AWS account team helps them tailor recommendations and suggest the right mix of services as you scale.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23916\" src=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey.webp\" alt=\"AWS Activate Credit Journey\" width=\"2012\" height=\"782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey.webp 2012w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey-1024x398.webp 1024w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey-768x298.webp 768w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey-1536x597.webp 1536w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey-640x249.webp 640w, https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AWS-Activate-Credit-Journey-400x155.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2012px) 100vw, 2012px\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #EEF2FE; border: 1px solid #DBE2FB; border-radius: 14px; padding: 28px 32px; margin: 38px 0;\">\n<p style=\"color: #1b3fae; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.3; font-weight: bold; margin: 0 0 10px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Make Your AWS Credits Last Longer <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4b5563; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0 0 22px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our AWS-certified engineers are helping startups build cost-aware architectures, so credits are going into growth and not into idle resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #2563EB; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; padding: 13px 26px; border-radius: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/contact\">Plan My AWS Setup\u00a0\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can You Apply for AWS Activate Credits More Than Once?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can, as long as you still meet the program requirements. In general, you can reapply for Portfolio credits when your new application is requesting a higher amount than your previously approved credits, and you have not reached AWS Activate\u2019s lifetime credit cap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your provider is offering stage-based packages and you are moving from pre-seed to seed, you are receiving the difference and not the full amount, so a startup that received $10,000 earlier and now qualifies for $100,000 is getting an additional $90,000. You also need to still be affiliated with the same provider, as switching providers can affect eligibility, so confirming your current stage with your investor before applying is definitely the smart move. This is also how many startups are progressing naturally, starting on the Founders tier and moving to the Portfolio tier once they join an accelerator or raise their first round.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AWS Activate credits are one of the most practical ways for startups to build on AWS without letting the cloud bill eat into the runway, and the program is giving something to almost every stage, from $1,000 for self-funded founders to up to $200,000 for provider-backed startups and even more for AI companies that are ready to scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The real difference, though, is coming from how well you are preparing the application and how carefully you are spending the credits once they land, as the startups that are getting the most out of AWS Activate are the ones planning their architecture, tracking their usage and building for the day the credits end, from beginning until completion. And if you need a helping hand with that part, our AWS team is always happy to guide you through it.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #EEF2FE; border: 1px solid #DBE2FB; border-radius: 14px; padding: 28px 32px; margin: 38px 0;\">\n<p style=\"color: #1b3fae; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.3; font-weight: bold; margin: 0 0 10px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Building Your Startup on AWS?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4b5563; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0 0 22px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From MVP to scale, our team is helping founders plan, build, and run their products on AWS with costs under control from day one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #2563EB; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; padding: 13px 26px; border-radius: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/dianapps.com\/contact\">Book a Free Consultation\u00a0\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<style>.elementor-23910 .elementor-element.elementor-element-2932a52{text-align:left;}.elementor-23910 .elementor-element.elementor-element-2932a52 > .elementor-widget-container{margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.elementor-23910 .elementor-element.elementor-element-0b767d1 .elementor-tab-title{border-width:1px;border-color:#00000014;}.elementor-23910 .elementor-element.elementor-element-0b767d1 .elementor-tab-content{border-width:1px;border-bottom-color:#00000014;}.elementor-23910 .elementor-element.elementor-element-0b767d1 > .elementor-widget-container{margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}<\/style><div class=\"porto-block elementor elementor-23910\">\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-27707ca elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"27707ca\" data-element_type=\"section\">\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0163611\" data-id=\"0163611\" data-element_type=\"column\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a2969 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03a2969\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2932a52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2932a52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\">FAQs <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b767d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"0b767d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-toggle{text-align:left}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{font-weight:700;line-height:1;margin:0;padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;cursor:pointer;outline:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon{display:inline-block;width:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon svg{-webkit-margin-start:-5px;margin-inline-start:-5px;width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-right{float:right;text-align:right}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-left{float:left;text-align:left}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active{border-bottom:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;display:none}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{padding:12px}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:12px 10px}}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-toggle,.e-con>.elementor-widget-toggle{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1201\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1201\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do I get AWS Activate credits?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1201\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1201\"><p>Create an AWS Builder ID, complete your AWS Activate profile with a business email, and choose the Founders tier if you are self-funded or the Portfolio tier if you have an Org ID from an Activate Provider. Then add your startup and funding details, link and verify your AWS account, and submit. AWS usually responds within 7 to 10 business days.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1202\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1202\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much are AWS Activate credits worth in 2026?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1202\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1202\"><p>The Founders tier offers $1,000, and select startups can qualify for up to $5,000 over time. The Portfolio tier offers up to $200,000 for startups backed by an Activate Provider, with the exact amount depending on your stage and the provider\u2019s package. AI startups ready to scale can discuss credits above $200,000 with their AWS Account Manager.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1203\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1203\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Do I need a VC or accelerator to get AWS startup credits?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1203\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1203\"><p>No, as self-funded startups can apply for the Founders tier without any investor. However, the Portfolio tier, which goes up to $200,000, requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider, such as an accelerator, angel investor, VC firm, or startup organisation.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1204\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1204\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long do AWS Activate credits last?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1204\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1204\"><p>AWS Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. Your exact expiry date is shown in the AWS Billing and Cost Management Console, and once credits expire or run out, your services are billed at standard rates.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1205\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1205\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can AWS Activate credits be used for AI models?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1205\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1205\"><p>Yes, AWS Activate credits can be used on Amazon Bedrock, including third-party models from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral AI, and Meta, which helps startups test different foundation models before committing a budget to one.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1206\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1206\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are AWS Activate credits really free?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1206\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1206\"><p>Yes, AWS Activate credits are promotional credits, so there is no cost to apply and no repayment involved. They only apply to eligible AWS services; they cannot cover past bills or services like AWS Professional Services and Training, and any usage beyond your credits is billed at standard rates.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do I get AWS Activate credits?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Create an AWS Builder ID, complete your AWS Activate profile with a business email, and choose the Founders tier if you are self-funded or the Portfolio tier if you have an Org ID from an Activate Provider. Then add your startup and funding details, link and verify your AWS account, and submit. AWS usually responds within 7 to 10 business days.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much are AWS Activate credits worth in 2026?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>The Founders tier offers $1,000, and select startups can qualify for up to $5,000 over time. The Portfolio tier offers up to $200,000 for startups backed by an Activate Provider, with the exact amount depending on your stage and the provider\\u2019s package. AI startups ready to scale can discuss credits above $200,000 with their AWS Account Manager.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I need a VC or accelerator to get AWS startup credits?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>No, as self-funded startups can apply for the Founders tier without any investor. However, the Portfolio tier, which goes up to $200,000, requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider, such as an accelerator, angel investor, VC firm, or startup organisation.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long do AWS Activate credits last?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>AWS Activate credits usually expire within 1 to 2 years, depending on the package. Your exact expiry date is shown in the AWS Billing and Cost Management Console, and once credits expire or run out, your services are billed at standard rates.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can AWS Activate credits be used for AI models?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Yes, AWS Activate credits can be used on Amazon Bedrock, including third-party models from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral AI, and Meta, which helps startups test different foundation models before committing a budget to one.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are AWS Activate credits really free?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Yes, AWS Activate credits are promotional credits, so there is no cost to apply and no repayment involved. They only apply to eligible AWS services; they cannot cover past bills or services like AWS Professional Services and Training, and any usage beyond your credits is billed at standard rates.<\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways: AWS Activate is the startup program from Amazon Web Services, and it has provided over $8 billion in promotional credits to startups since 2013. The Founders tier gives self-funded startups $1,000 in credits, and select startups can qualify for up to $5,000 over time. The Portfolio tier gives up to $200,000 in credits, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":23920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_wp_applaud_exclude":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2835],"tags":[2887],"class_list":["post-23909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aws","tag-aws-activate-credits"],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Untitled-Design-2026-10-29T210020.156-1140x445.webp",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Untitled-Design-2026-10-29T210020.156-463x348.webp",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Untitled-Design-2026-10-29T210020.156-300x169.webp",300,169,true],"full":["https:\/\/dianapps.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Untitled-Design-2026-10-29T210020.156.webp",1536,864,false]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>AWS Activate Credits 2026: Tiers, Eligibility &amp; 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