Cloud Credits for Startups: How to Get Free Compute Without Equity
TL;DR: Cloud credits are promotional balances that cloud providers give startups to cover infrastructure costs, with no equity taken. The big programs are AWS Activate, Google for Startups Cloud Program, Microsoft for Startups, and Cloudflare for Startups, and the largest packages usually require a partner investor or accelerator. Self-funded founders can still claim entry tiers today and stack several programs at once.
✅ Verified: November 8, 2026 · Source: official program pages (aws.amazon.com, cloud.google.com, learn.microsoft.com, cloudflare.com, nvidia.com) · Next review: February 8, 2027Program details change often. Confirm eligibility, amounts, and deadlines on each official program page before applying.
Cloud credits are the fastest non-dilutive money most software founders can get. Your app needs servers, databases, storage, and, if you build with AI, expensive model inference. Every month that bill comes due before revenue does. Cloud credits can push that bill close to zero for months while you find users.
The problem is that every provider runs its program differently. Tiers depend on funding stage, partner referrals, company age, domain email, and even whether you have used credits before. Many founders claim one small package and never realize they qualified for more elsewhere. ShipGrants tracks cloud and AI credit programs alongside 1,500+ grants, prizes, and fellowships, so you can see them in one place.
This guide explains how cloud credits work, compares seven major programs with verified numbers, and shows a simple strategy to stack them without wasting the ones that expire.
Table of contents
- What are cloud credits?
- Which cloud credits programs are best for startups?
- How do cloud credits work after you are approved?
- Who qualifies for cloud credits?
- How do you apply for cloud credits step by step?
- How do you make cloud credits last longer?
- Can founders outside the US get cloud credits?
- How to stack cloud credits without wasting them
- Cloud credits vs grants vs loans: which should you pursue?
- Bottom line
⚡ Key takeaways
- Cloud credits cover infrastructure costs for free and take no equity, but they expire and only apply to the provider’s own services.
- AWS Activate, Google for Startups Cloud Program, Microsoft for Startups, and Cloudflare for Startups are the main programs for software founders.
- The biggest packages usually need an Org ID or referral code from a partner VC, accelerator, or investor network.
- Self-funded startups can still claim entry tiers, typically from $1,000 to $5,000 per provider.
- Pick one primary cloud, claim credits when you are ready to use them, and set billing alerts before credits run out.
What are cloud credits?
| Direct answer: Cloud credits are prepaid promotional balances that a cloud provider applies to your account to offset usage of its services. They are not cash and cannot be withdrawn, but they replace money you would otherwise spend on compute, storage, databases, and AI models. Startup programs hand them out to win long-term customers. |
The logic is simple. A provider that hosts your company in its early days often keeps you as you grow. Giving away cloud credits to thousands of startups is a customer acquisition strategy, and you benefit from it as long as you choose deliberately.
| Definition: Cloud credits: promotional usage balances issued by a cloud or infrastructure provider, valid for a limited period and limited to eligible services on that provider’s platform. They are a form of non-dilutive support: no equity, no repayment. |
What cloud credits can and cannot pay for
Credits typically cover the provider’s own pay-as-you-go services: virtual machines, serverless functions, managed databases, storage, networking, and the provider’s own AI models. They often exclude marketplace products, third-party models billed separately, support plans beyond the program’s own offer, and services like domain registration. Google, for example, notes that third-party models are billed directly and not covered by its program credits.
Why cloud credits matter more for AI products
For a classic SaaS app, hosting may be a modest line item. For an AI product, inference and fine-tuning can be the largest monthly cost. That is why several programs now offer bigger tiers for AI-first startups, and why AI founders should read the fine print on which models and GPUs the cloud credits actually cover.
Which cloud credits programs are best for startups?
| Direct answer: The main cloud credits programs for startups are AWS Activate (up to $100,000), Google for Startups Cloud Program (up to $350,000 for qualifying AI startups), Microsoft for Startups (up to $150,000 via its Investor Network), and Cloudflare for Startups (up to $250,000). NVIDIA Inception adds partner credits and GPU pricing for AI teams. |
Here are the seven programs most relevant to software builders, with figures checked on official pages.
1. AWS Activate
AWS Activate offers $1,000 in credits through its Founders package for self-funded startups, and up to $100,000 through its Portfolio package for startups affiliated with an Activate Provider, such as an accelerator or VC, which supplies an Org ID. AWS lists eligibility requirements such as being pre-Series B, having a company website, and being founded within the last 10 years. Best for: teams already building on AWS or joining an accelerator that is an Activate Provider. Our AWS Activate guide walks through the application.
2. Google for Startups Cloud Program
Google lists up to $350,000 in credits over two years for qualifying AI startups: coverage of eligible usage up to $250,000 in year one and 20% of usage up to an additional $100,000 in year two. Other startups qualify for lower tiers, and the funded tiers are aimed at startups with verifiable pre-seed to Series A funding. Best for: AI-first startups with funding, and teams that want Gemini models in the same stack. See Google Cloud credits.
3. Microsoft for Startups
Microsoft offers up to $5,000 in Azure credits through self-service and up to $150,000 through its Investor Network offer, which requires a referral code from a participating investor or accelerator. Microsoft states that credits under the investor offer are tied to eligibility rules such as being privately held and not yet at Series C. Best for: teams using Azure services or Azure OpenAI, and startups backed by a partner investor. Details in Microsoft for Startups.
4. Cloudflare for Startups
Cloudflare offers up to $250,000 in credits across four tiers ($5,000, $25,000, $100,000, and $250,000) for its developer platform, including Workers and storage, with product-specific limits. Cloudflare lists criteria such as building a software product with an active website, being funded up to Series B, and being founded within the last five years. Credits last up to one year or until used. Best for: edge apps, APIs, and security, often as a second provider next to a hyperscaler.
5. NVIDIA Inception
NVIDIA Inception is free to join, with no application fees, membership fees, or equity requirements. It does not hand out cash; instead it offers preferred pricing on NVIDIA hardware and software, training, investor connections, and access to cloud credits from partners. It suits AI startups that are incorporated and actively building.
6. AI API credit programs
Model providers and AI platforms run their own startup credit programs, often through accelerators and investor partners. These change frequently, so we cover them separately in our guide to OpenAI credits and AI API credits.
7. Smaller infrastructure providers
DigitalOcean, MongoDB, Oracle, and other infrastructure companies also run startup programs with credits. They can be useful as a second provider or for a specific workload, such as a managed database.
| Program | Max cloud credits | Entry tier without investor | Partner needed for top tier? |
| AWS Activate | Up to $100,000 | $1,000 (Founders) | Yes, Activate Provider Org ID |
| Google for Startups Cloud | Up to $350,000 (AI) | Lower Start tier | Funded tiers need verifiable funding |
| Microsoft for Startups | Up to $150,000 | Up to $5,000 | Yes, Investor Network code |
| Cloudflare for Startups | Up to $250,000 | $5,000 | Yes, for top tiers |
| NVIDIA Inception | Partner credits + pricing | Free membership | No |
Note: Credit amounts, tiers, and eligibility change often. Figures above were checked on November 8, 2026. Confirm current terms on each provider’s official startup page before applying.
How do cloud credits work after you are approved?
| Direct answer: After approval, the provider attaches the cloud credits to your billing account, and eligible usage is deducted from the credit balance before anything is charged to your card. Credits usually apply automatically, cover only eligible services, and stop at the end of the validity period or when the balance hits zero. |
Most providers ask for a billing account with a valid payment method even when you have credits. That card is the fallback once the credits run out or when you use a service the credits do not cover. This catches many founders out: the dashboard shows a healthy credit balance, but a marketplace product or an excluded service quietly creates a paid charge.
Check three things in your billing console in the first week. First, confirm that the credits appear and note the exact expiry date. Second, look at which services the credits apply to, usually listed in the credit details. Third, create a budget alert well below your expected monthly spend, so you hear about surprises early.
Credits also interact with support plans and partner offers. Some programs include separate support credits or training credits that sit alongside the main balance. Treat each one as its own line with its own expiry, and add them all to the same tracker you use for grants and deadlines.
Who qualifies for cloud credits?
| Direct answer: Most programs want a privately held, early-stage company building a software product, with a working website and a company email on a matching domain. Many cap company age (often 5 or 10 years) and funding stage (often pre-Series B or pre-Series C). Larger tiers usually require an affiliation with a partner VC, accelerator, or investor network. |
Do you need a company to get cloud credits?
Usually yes. Programs ask for a company website, a business domain email, and company details, and some require incorporation. Individual developers can still use free tiers and trial credits that every major cloud offers, but startup programs are built for companies.
Do you need investors?
Not for entry tiers. Self-funded founders can claim AWS Activate Founders, Microsoft’s self-service credits, Cloudflare’s bootstrapped tier, and Google’s lower tier. Investors and accelerators unlock the six-figure packages, because providers use partners to filter for startups likely to grow.
What AI founders should check before choosing cloud credits
AI products have specific needs, so compare programs on more than the headline amount. Ask which models the cloud credits cover, whether GPU instances are available in your region, whether quotas limit how much GPU you can actually use, and how long the credits last. A large package you cannot spend on the models you need is worth less than a smaller one that fits your stack.
Common reasons applications get rejected
- Using a free email address instead of a company domain.
- A website that is a placeholder or does not describe a real product.
- Previous credits already received from the same provider.
- Company age or funding stage outside the program’s limits.
- Mismatched details between the application and your billing account.
How do you apply for cloud credits step by step?
| Direct answer: Set up a company domain email and a real product website, create a billing account with the provider, choose the right tier (self-serve or partner referral), submit the application with consistent company details, and set billing alerts as soon as credits arrive. Approval can take days to a few weeks. |
- Prepare your basics. A live website that explains your product, a domain email, and accurate company information.
- Pick your primary cloud. Choose the provider whose services fit your stack, not just the largest number.
- Check for a partner path. Ask your accelerator, incubator, or investors whether they are partners of AWS, Google, Microsoft, or Cloudflare. Some founder communities also act as partners.
- Apply with consistent details. Use the same company name, website, and billing account across the application.
- Redeem and monitor. Once credits arrive, set budget alerts and check which services they cover.
- Plan the next tier. Several programs let you apply for more as you raise funding or grow usage.
Timing matters. Many cloud credits start counting down when they are applied to your account. Claim them when you are ready to build and ship, not months before.
How do you make cloud credits last longer?
| Direct answer: Treat cloud credits like real money. Set budgets and alerts, right-size instances, shut down idle development environments, use autoscaling and serverless where it fits, cache aggressively, and monitor AI token usage per feature. These habits often stretch credits for months and keep costs sane once they end. |
A few practical habits make a big difference for small teams:
- Right-size from day one. Start with small instances and scale up only when metrics show you need to.
- Turn off what you do not use. Development and staging environments running 24/7 can burn a large share of your credits.
- Use managed and serverless services wisely. They reduce operations work and can scale to near zero when traffic is low.
- Cache responses. A CDN and application caching cut both compute and bandwidth.
- Watch AI usage per feature. Log tokens or GPU time per feature so one expensive endpoint does not eat the whole balance.
- Review the bill weekly. Ten minutes a week catches runaway resources before they cost hundreds.
These habits matter even more at the end of the credit period. Startups that build lean from the start move to paid billing smoothly. Startups that relied on cloud credits to hide inefficient architecture often face a painful jump in costs, sometimes right when they are trying to raise money or reach profitability.
Can founders outside the US get cloud credits?
| Direct answer: Yes. The major cloud credits programs are global, and founders in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere can apply as long as their company meets the program rules and the provider operates in their country. Partner tiers depend on whether your local accelerator or investor participates. |
Unlike government grants, cloud credits rarely depend on where your company is registered. Microsoft, for example, requires a startup headquartered in a country where Azure is available for its investor offer. AWS, Google, and Cloudflare run their programs worldwide, with local accelerators and investors acting as partners in many regions.
For non-US founders, the practical questions are different. Does the provider have a data center region close to your users? Does your payment method work for the billing account? Do local data protection rules, such as the GDPR in the EU, shape where you can store customer data? Answer those first, then claim cloud credits from the provider that fits.
European founders can also combine cloud credits with national innovation grants and EU programs, because credits cover infrastructure while grants cover people and R&D. That combination is often stronger than either one alone.
How to stack cloud credits without wasting them
| Direct answer: Use one provider as your main platform, claim its biggest tier you qualify for, then add complementary credits from providers that serve different needs, such as edge and security, GPUs, or a managed database. Track expiry dates in one place and move workloads before credits end. |
Stacking is allowed in the sense that different providers run separate programs, but each program has its own rules, so read them. A practical setup for a small SaaS team might be: main application on one hyperscaler, edge and security on Cloudflare, and AI inference covered by AI-specific credits.
| Rule: The One-Primary Rule. Run your core product on one primary cloud and use other credits only for workloads that are easy to move. Migrating a whole stack every year to chase new cloud credits usually costs more engineering time than the credits are worth. |
| Mistake: Claiming everything on day one. If credits start expiring when applied and your product is not live yet, you can lose much of their value. Claim when usage will actually ramp. |
Cloud credits vs grants vs loans: which should you pursue?
| Direct answer: Cloud credits are fast, low-effort, and non-dilutive but only cover one type of cost. Grants give flexible cash for a defined project but take more work and time. Loans give cash quickly but must be repaid. Most founders should claim cloud credits first, then pursue grants for bigger needs. |
| Option | What you get | Effort | Repay? | Best use |
| Cloud credits | Free infrastructure usage | Low | No | Hosting, data, AI inference |
| Grants | Cash for an approved project | Medium–high | No | R&D, product, hiring |
| Prizes | Cash award | Medium | No | Teams with a demo |
| Loans | Cash | Medium | Yes | Working capital with revenue |
If you want the bigger picture of money that costs no equity, start with our guide to non-dilutive funding.
Bottom line
Cloud credits are the easiest win in non-dilutive funding for software founders. Claim entry tiers from the providers you actually use, ask your accelerator or investors about partner codes for larger packages, and protect the value by claiming only when you are ready to ship. Then move on to grants and prizes for the costs credits cannot cover.
ShipGrants lists cloud and AI credit programs next to 1,500+ grants, prizes, and fellowships in one filterable spreadsheet, and the free funding kit shows how to fit credits into a full funding plan.
| 💡 Tip: Cloud credits keep your burn low, and that is one important piece of getting funded. But finding the right program is half the battle. ShipGrants puts 1,500+ grants, prizes, fellowships, and cloud/AI credits in one filterable place — with eligibility, funding type, and deadlines. Explore the database |
FAQ: cloud credits
What are cloud credits for startups?
Cloud credits for startups are promotional balances that cloud providers apply to a startup’s account to offset the cost of their services. They cover things like compute, storage, databases, networking, and the provider’s own AI models, depending on the program.
They are not cash, cannot be withdrawn, and expire after a set period. Providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Cloudflare offer them through startup programs to attract companies early. For founders, cloud credits are a form of non-dilutive support: you give up no equity and repay nothing, as long as you follow the program terms. The main limits are expiry dates and which services are eligible. Read both before you apply, and claim credits from the provider you actually plan to build on. Programs also bundle extras such as training and technical support.
How do I get free cloud credits?
Start with the startup program of the provider you plan to use. Prepare a live product website, a company domain email, and accurate company details, then apply through the program page.
Self-funded startups can usually claim an entry tier directly, such as AWS Activate Founders or Microsoft’s self-service credits. Larger packages normally require a referral or Org ID from a partner accelerator, VC, or investor network, so ask your partners if they participate. Approval can take from a few days to several weeks. Claim credits when you are ready to build, because many start their countdown once applied. If your accelerator or investor is a partner, ask for the Org ID or referral code before you apply, since adding it later is not always possible. Keep the confirmation emails as well.
How much are AWS Activate credits?
AWS Activate offers $1,000 in credits through its Founders package for self-funded startups and up to $100,000 through its Portfolio package for startups associated with an Activate Provider, such as an accelerator, incubator, or VC.
AWS lists requirements such as being pre-Series B, having a company website, and being founded within the last 10 years. Portfolio applications need an Org ID from your provider. Figures were checked on November 8, 2026; confirm current terms on the AWS Activate page before applying, since packages can change. Credits apply to eligible AWS services, and you should check the expiry date in your billing console after approval. If you later join an accelerator that is an Activate Provider, you may be able to apply for a larger package. Keep your account details consistent across applications.
Can I get cloud credits without VC funding?
Yes. Entry tiers are designed for self-funded founders. Examples include AWS Activate Founders, Microsoft’s self-service Azure credits of up to $5,000, Cloudflare’s bootstrapped tier, and Google’s lower tier.
The largest packages usually need a partner, but partners are not only VCs. Many accelerators, incubators, university programs, and founder communities are partners of cloud providers. Joining one of them can unlock larger cloud credits without raising equity. Always check that a partner is officially listed by the provider. If you have no partner yet, claim the entry tier now and apply for a larger tier later, when you join an accelerator or raise a round. Keep your usage clean and your company details consistent, because providers review history when you request more.
Do cloud credits expire?
Yes. Every program sets a validity period, and unused credits disappear when it ends. Cloudflare, for example, states its startup credits last up to one year or until used. Google’s AI tier is structured over two years.
Some credits start counting down as soon as they are applied to your account, not when you start using them. That is why timing your application matters. Set calendar reminders for expiry dates and budget alerts in the provider console so you know when credits are running low and paid billing will begin. Keep all expiry dates in one tracker together with your grant deadlines.
What happens when cloud credits run out?
Usually your account switches to normal paid billing, charged to the payment method on file. Services do not always pause automatically, so an unexpected bill is a real risk if you are not watching.
To avoid surprises, set budget alerts before your credits end, review which services consume the most, and shut down unused resources. Plan ahead: either have revenue or other credits ready, or optimize your architecture so costs stay manageable when the free period ends. Many founders review their architecture two months before cloud credits expire, which leaves time to right-size services or negotiate a committed-use discount with the provider.
Can I use cloud credits from multiple providers at once?
Yes, in the sense that AWS, Google, Microsoft, and Cloudflare run separate programs, and each decides eligibility on its own rules. Many startups use one primary cloud and add a second provider for edge, security, GPUs, or a specific database.
Be careful about spreading your core product across several clouds just to use every credit. Moving workloads costs engineering time, and complexity adds risk. A good approach is the One-Primary Rule: keep the core on one platform and use other cloud credits for workloads that are easy to move, such as static assets, edge functions, batch jobs, or experiments. This keeps your architecture simple.
Do cloud credits cover AI models and GPUs?
Often, but with limits. Programs typically cover the provider’s own AI services and GPU instances. Third-party models may be billed separately; Google, for example, says third-party models are not covered by its program credits.
GPU capacity can also be limited by region or quota even when credits cover it. If your product depends on specific models or GPUs, read the program terms carefully and test early. AI-specific tiers exist at several providers, and NVIDIA Inception members can access partner credits and preferred pricing on NVIDIA technology. Track AI usage per feature from the start, because inference costs grow quickly with users.
Are cloud credits taxable?
The tax treatment of promotional cloud credits depends on your country and how the credits are accounted for. In many cases, using a free promotional credit simply means you have no expense to deduct, rather than receiving taxable cash, but rules differ.
Ask an accountant how to record cloud credits in your books, especially if they are large. Keep the provider’s credit statements with your records, because they show the value received and the period it covered. If you also receive grants or R&D tax credits, tell your accountant about the cloud credits too, since some reliefs look at total costs. This is general information, not tax advice.
Is it worth applying for cloud credits if my costs are small?
Usually yes. Entry tiers take little time, and even a few thousand dollars can cover months of hosting for an early product. Applying also gets you into the provider’s startup ecosystem, which can include training, technical support, and partner offers.
The main cost is attention. If your product is not live yet, wait until it is, so credits do not expire unused. Then apply to the provider you actually use, and revisit larger tiers when you join an accelerator or raise funding. Small credits today also make your first months of real traffic cheaper, and they let you test a provider before committing to it.
Where can I find a full list of cloud credits programs?
Each provider publishes its own startup page, and founder communities share perk lists. The challenge is keeping track as programs change tiers, rules, and partners.
ShipGrants includes cloud and AI credit programs in the same filterable spreadsheet as 1,500+ grants, prizes, and fellowships, each with funding type, eligibility notes, and deadline information where relevant. That lets you plan credits and grants together instead of in separate lists. Always confirm the final terms on the provider’s official page before applying. Programs change tiers and partners regularly, so a list that is even six months old can point you to offers that no longer exist.
Stop hunting for funding across Google, government portals, and half-dead databases.
ShipGrants gives you 1,500+ grants, prizes, fellowships, and free cloud/AI credits in one filterable spreadsheet — each with funding type, eligibility, and deadline — plus a 21-page application playbook, ready-to-use templates, and Telegram deadline alerts. Find the programs you actually qualify for and apply with a system, not guesswork.
About the author
Volodymyr Rudyi is the founder of ShipGrants and an online entrepreneur based in Europe who runs a US-registered company, so he works with both the US and European funding systems. He built ShipGrants because funding programs for builders are scattered across government portals, corporate pages, and outdated lists. Before ShipGrants, he created TrafficTikTok, an education platform about affiliate marketing and online business, and runs a YouTube channel about building income online. He writes builder-to-builder: what each program actually requires, how to check eligibility, and how to apply with a system instead of guesswork.
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Update log
Last updated: November 8, 2026 — first published; AWS Activate, Google for Startups Cloud Program, Microsoft for Startups, Cloudflare for Startups, and NVIDIA Inception terms verified on official pages.
Sources
Methodology: program figures come from official provider pages, checked on November 8, 2026, combined with the ShipGrants research database. Sources: AWS Activate credits · Google for Startups Cloud Program · Microsoft for Startups · Cloudflare for Startups · NVIDIA Inception
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