If your startup is building AI features or other cloud-hungry products, early cloud credits can save you months or even years of runway. But understanding programs from Google, AWS, Microsoft, and OVHcloud can be confusing. This guide breaks it down for founders: what each program offers, who qualifies, and smart ways to maximize approvals.
Quick take: the only widely accessible path to $350k today is Google Cloud’s AI Startup track (usually via partner/VC referral). AWS Activate tops out at $100k. Microsoft shifted in July 2025: $150k requires Investor Network affiliation; bootstrapped founders can access up to $5k. OVHcloud’s Start level grants €10k with hands-on engineering time.
TL;DR. Cloud Credit for Startups – Caps & Who It’s For
- Google Cloud for Startups (AI track): Up to $350k over 2 years (Year 1: 100% up to $250k; Year 2: 20% up to $100k) + support credits. Ideal for AI-heavy teams using Vertex AI and exploring TPUs. Often requires partner/VC involvement.
- AWS Activate (Portfolio): Up to $100k in credits for startups backed by an Activate Provider (VC, accelerator, etc.). Self-serve “Founders” path is smaller.
- Microsoft for Startups: Investor Network startups: up to $150k. Bootstrapped path: up to $5k (starts with $1k, unlocks to $5k after verification; credits valid 180 days). Great if you’re .NET/Azure-first.
- OVHcloud Startup Program: €10k at Start level (12 months) + 6 hours of 1:1 engineering support; “Scale” tracks can go up to €100k via selected pathways. Cost-efficient EU hosting & data-locality
Google Cloud for Startups (incl. AI Startups track)
What you get
- Credits: Up to $350,000 over two years for AI startups. Year 1: 100% up to $250k. Year 2: 20% up to $100k. Plus $12k in Enhanced Support credits for one year.
- Ecosystem perks: Access to Vertex AI, Firebase, training, and program resources; public materials also reiterate “up to $350k” for early-stage startups.
Who qualifies (high level)
- Early-stage/AI-first startups; higher tiers commonly require referral via partners/VCs/accelerators. (Google’s public startup pages highlight the $350k cap and AI track benefits.)
Why choose it
- Strong AI stack (Vertex AI), mature data tooling, and the richest public package for AI startups. (Bonus: some VC partnerships advertise even richer combined packages for their portfolios.)
AWS Activate
What you get
Who qualifies (Portfolio path)
- Backing from an Activate Provider (VC/accelerator with an Org ID), pre-Series B, company founded within the last 10 years, functioning website, and you haven’t received equal/greater Activate credits before.
Why choose it
- Broadest service catalog and marketplace; excellent if you’re multi-cloud or your stack leans on AWS-specific managed services.
Microsoft for Startups (program update in 2025)
What you get
- Investor Network track: Up to $150,000 in Azure credits + higher-touch support.
- Bootstrapped track: Up to $5,000 total—starts with $1,000, unlocks to $5,000 after business verification; credits valid 180 days from approval.
What changed
- July 2025: Microsoft restructured the program—$150k is now tied to the Investor Network, while the bootstrapped path of cloud credits for startups caps at $5k. (Official pages and documentation reflect this shift.)
Why choose it
- Best fit for teams deep in the .NET/Azure stack or already selling into Microsoft-centric enterprises.
OVHcloud Startup Program
What you get
- Start (12 months): €10,000 cloud credits + 6 hours of 1:1 engineer time, visibility, and go-to-market support.
- Scale: paths advertised up to €100,000 credits and expanded engineer hours for later-stage companies or via enablers/accelerators
Why choose it
- Cost-efficient EU infrastructure, helpful if you need data-locality, predictable pricing, and hands-on onboarding support.
Can you combine programs?
Usually, yes—many startups apply to multiple providers (e.g., GCP + AWS + OVHcloud). Just avoid exclusive commitments (like specific enterprise discount agreements) that could conflict with other credit programs, and be transparent about lifetime credit history where asked (AWS enforces lifetime thresholds).
How to maximize approvals (battle-tested steps)
- Secure a sponsor first
Ask your VC/accelerator if they’re an AWS Activate Provider (Org ID) and whether they have Google Cloud startup referrals. This single step often 10×’s your ceiling (AWS to $100k; Google to $350k for AI). - Choose a primary and a backup
If you’re AI-heavy, target Google’s AI track first. Keep AWS Activate $100k as a hedge if your services or marketplace needs are AWS-centric. - Azure-first? Plan for the new tiers
If you can access Microsoft’s Investor Network, push for $150k. Otherwise, budget realistically around $5k and explore PoC/co-sell programs later. - Use OVHcloud for smart cost control
Run dev/staging or EU-local workloads on OVHcloud (€10k Start) to stretch top-tier credits further. - Show traction & technical clarity
Share a one-pager: problem, solution, metrics, forecasted cloud spend, and reference architecture (which services you’ll use and why). It signals seriousness and improves odds across all programs.
FAQs founders ask us
How long do credits last?
- GCP AI track runs 2 years with a 100% then 20% reimbursement structure.
- Microsoft’s bootstrapped credits are valid 180 days after verification.
- AWS durations vary by grant (commonly 12–24 months).
- OVHcloud Startup Program (Start): 12 months.
Will credits cover everything?
- No—credits are non-cash and apply only to eligible services. Anything outside covered SKUs bills as normal across providers (see each program’s T&Cs).
Is there anything new worth noting in 2025?
- Beyond the bigger AI packages, Google continues to market $350k for AI startups and runs regional initiatives; the direction of travel is more AI-oriented support.
Summary table
| Cloud | Headline credits | Duration/structure | Main gating factor |
| Google Cloud (AI track) | Up to $350k | 2 years; Yr1 100% → $250k; Yr2 20% → $100k | Often partner/VC referral |
| AWS Activate (Portfolio) | Up to $100k | Typically 12–24 months | Must apply via Activate Provider (Org ID) |
| Microsoft for Startups | $150k (Investor Network) or up to $5k (bootstrapped) | $5k valid 180 days (after $1k → verification) | Investor Network for $150k |
| OVHcloud Startup Program | €10k (Start); up to €100k (Scale) | 12 months (Start) | Start: open to anyone who meets the criteria; Scale: available through partners |
Need help choosing or applying?
If you want a second pair of eyes on your architecture plan or credit strategy before you apply, our team can help you design a cost-savvy, scalable setup (GCP/AWS/Azure/OVHcloud) and accelerate your first build.
