Start building with up to $100,000 USD in AWS credits
AWS Activate Portfolio is a free program designed for startups and early stage entrepreneurs that provides AWS credits, AWS Support credits, training credits, exclusive offers, go-to-market support and more.
These benefits are designed to give you the right mix of tools, resources and expert support to quickly get started on AWS and grow your business. Whether you are just getting started, or already building on AWS, AWS Activate helps you go further.
Explore the benefits of AWS Activate Portfolio
Get started on AWS at zero cost
Experiment, build, and grow with up to $100,000 in AWS Cloud credits helping you get started at zero cost. Experiment and build nearly anything that you can imagine. AWS credits are applied to your AWS bill to help cover costs associated with eligible AWS Services.
Get technical help anytime, anywhere
Receive 24/7 access to technical support and architectural guidance from AWS Cloud support engineers via phone, chat and email with up to $10,000 in AWS Business Support plan credits. You can have an unlimited number of contacts that can open an unlimited amount of cases while your support plan is active.
New! AWS Activate Console
Explore content recommended for you, including technical guidance for building on AWS, tools & resources, Activate exclusive offers, and details of your AWS credit awards. The new Activate Console provides the tools and resources to support you through every step of building and growing your business. Log in now.
Exclusive offers
Take advantage of special offers only available to AWS Activate members including discounts, free products, memberships, services and tools. Plus, enjoy executive mentorship, educational content tailored to your needs, and other startup-friendly perks provided by participating organizations.
Become a cloud expert
Build your AWS Cloud skills and get hands-on practice with 80 free credits for self-paced labs from Qwiklabs. Qwiklabs provides real cloud environments that help you learn using the real thing – no simulations. From machine learning, security, infrastructure, to application development, we’ve got you covered.
Gain new customers
Dive into exclusive opportunities to showcase your startup at AWS events including AWS Summits and AWS re:Invent, and on the AWS Startups Blog. Reach thousands of potential customers and grow your business.
How to apply and get started
Step 1
First make sure you have an AWS account. If not, you can create one for free here.
Step 2
Next click here to apply for AWS Activate Portfolio or use the link your Activate Provider shared with you.
Step 3
Complete the application form in full and submit – it takes just a few minutes to complete.
Step 4
Look out for a confirmation email from AWS. It takes on average 7-10 business days to process applications.
Step 5
Start building on AWS! The world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform.
Eligibility criteria
To apply to AWS Activate Portfolio, your startup must meet the following criteria:
- Startup must be unfunded or funded (up to and including Pre-Seed, Angel, Seed, Debt Finance, and Series A)
- Have your Activate Provider’s organization ID
- A company website
- LinkedIn profile (applicant)
- An AWS account
- Must not have previously received AWS Activate credits at equal or greater value from the same Activate Provider
- Must not have exceeded $100,000 in redeemed AWS Activate credits
- Startup must be less than 10 years old
There’s a reason the world’s hottest and most successful startups use AWS: we’re on a mission to help you succeed, from inception to IPO.
“AWS Activate is a must for a technical founder like myself building a SaaS product. As a bootstrapped startup, Activate gave Yallhands the lifeline to flexibly build whatever was necessary to secure our first major clients without sacrificing ideal infrastructure choices or cutting into the grocery budget. The more we build, the more we lean on its seemingly limitless capabilities. It’s turned me into a die-hard fan.”
-Mark Zuppe
Founder & CEO at Yallhands
Learn more about startups on AWS
Thousands of startups are leveraging AWS Activate to build and grow their business. Learn how startups, including DoorDash, Airbnb, Ralali, and Deliveroo have transformed their businesses using AWS.
