AWS for Startups
Up to $100,000 credits
About this perk
AWS Activate Portfolio Credits help eligible provider-backed startups offset AWS bills while they build and scale on AWS infrastructure, data services, and AI tooling. Through XRaise, qualifying startups can apply for up to $100,000 USD in AWS Activate Credits, including coverage for third-party foundation model usage on Amazon Bedrock under AWS’s program terms.
What You Get
Up to $100,000 USD in AWS Activate Credits (Activate Portfolio package).
Credits that apply to new usage charges on eligible services and apply automatically until consumed or expired.
Ability to use Activate Credits for third-party foundation models on Amazon Bedrock, with AWS Marketplace treated as eligible only for that specific Bedrock third-party model spend under the Activate Terms.
Portfolio eligibility requirements include: founded within the past 10 years, self-funded or pre-Series B, fully functioning company website, associated with a provider and having an Organizational ID, and not previously receiving credits of equal or greater value.
AWS account must be on a Paid Tier plan.
Eligibility
Why it matters for startups
Extends runway by offsetting core cloud costs while you move from MVP to production.
Supports AI product iteration by allowing credits to cover third-party model usage on Amazon Bedrock under the program rules.
Reduces operational overhead because credits apply automatically to eligible new charges and cannot be manually “assigned” to specific services.
Use cases / best for
Startups scaling AWS compute, storage, databases, and data pipelines as usage grows
Teams prototyping and shipping generative AI features using Amazon Bedrock models
Provider-backed startups that need a higher credit tier than basic startup packages
FAQs
The Portfolio package can award up to $100,000 in AWS Activate Credits for eligible provider-backed startups. 2. Do credits apply to past bills? No. Credits apply to new eligible usage charges and do not retroactively cover historical charges. 3. Can Activate Credits be used for third-party models on Amazon Bedrock? Yes. AWS states Activate credits can be used for third-party models on Bedrock, and the Activate Terms clarify the AWS Marketplace carve-out for Bedrock third-party model spend.
