Get Free AWS Credits for Your Startup

What Are The AWS Credits?

AWS credits work like virtual currency, helping customers reduce the costs of using various AWS services. You receive AWS credits, either as part of a program, promotion, or grant. These are linked directly to your AWS account. When you use AWS services, the charges for those services are first covered by your available AWS credits (if applicable), and only the remaining amount, if any, is reflected on your bill. AWS credits often have an expiration date, so it’s important to use them within the stipulated time frame. Additionally, if you are a startup, then there is a large scope for you to receive AWS credits for startups. AWS offers free AWS credits for your startups; do not miss the opportunity to claim them! Read my article to learn how to get your free AWS credits!

Get Free AWS Credits For Your Startup

Let’s discover how you can claim your free AWS credits for startup in detail:

1. Understand The Types Of AWS Credits Available For Startups

A. AWS Free Tier

As part of the AWS Free Tier, AWS provides more than 100 services at no cost. The Free Tier includes three types of offers based on the product:

1. Free Trials: Limited-time offers for specific services.
   • Example: Amazon SageMaker AI – Free for 2 months.
2. 12 Months Free: You will have free access to a number of services for 12 months after creating your account.
   • Example: Amazon EC2 – Free for 750 hours per month for the first 12 months.
3. Always Free: Some services are always free within certain usage limits.
   • Example: Amazon DynamoDB – 25 GB storage per month free.

This makes AWS Free Tier an excellent option for startups to explore and experiment with various services without incurring costs initially.

B.  Industry-Specific Credits

AWS provides industry-specific credits to startups in sectors like healthcare, education, and gaming through programs that support innovation and growth.

Example:

The AWS Education Accelerator is a prime example of AWS’s support for education startups. The program offers AWS Credits, Mentorship, Training and resources, and Networking opportunities.

• Credits Offered: Participants can receive up to $100,000 in AWS credits.
• The AWS Education Accelerator application timeline was as follows: Applications were open from October 10 to November 17, 2023; the “Ask Me Anything” session took place on October 19, 2023; the cohort was announced in January 2024; and the program ran from January 9 to March 15, 2024.
• Eligibility: Open to early-stage education startups with innovative solutions.

Check for the reference: AWS Education Accelerator

C. Promotional Credits

AWS promotional credits are awarded to support innovation during events like hackathons. For example, in the Valorant Champions Tour Hackathon, winners of the Esports Manager Challenge—teams like VCT Team Builder, VCT Scout, and VCT Manager Assistant—leveraged AWS services such as EC2, Lambda, and S3 to build scalable solutions. The first-place rewards included $10,000 USD, $10,000 in AWS credits, tickets to Champs 2025, and a virtual meeting with AWS and Riot experts. 

D. AWS Activate Program 

AWS offers credits through the AWS Activate program, which includes two main types: Activate Founders and Activate Portfolio.

1. Activate Founders: Provides $1,000 USD in AWS credits for startups that are self-funded or pre-Series B, with a fully-functioning company website and founded within the past 10 years.
2. Activate Portfolio: This provides larger credits, depending on the startup’s association with an AWS Activate Provider, offering up to $100,000 USD in credits to scale operations.

For more details and to explore eligibility, visit the AWS Credits page.

E.  Startup-Accelerator Program Credits:

The AWS Generative AI Accelerator is an example of a Startup Accelerator Program Credits, which provides startup credits, mentorship, and access to AWS products such as Amazon SageMaker. This initiative enables AI-focused entrepreneurs to scale their ideas and promote innovation by leveraging AWS’s cloud infrastructure.

F.  Educational Credits:

AWS Educational Credits assist academic institutions such as universities and research labs by providing credits for educational initiatives, research projects, and learning programs. These credits enable students and faculty to leverage AWS tools for a wide range of academic activities.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Let’s use the AWS Activate program, one of the many free AWS credit options available to startups, as an example to examine how to get free AWS credits for your startups. Startups that fulfill certain criteria according to their selected tier (Activate Founders or Activate Portfolio) can receive credits.  For instance, Activate Founders is tailored for startups that are self-funded or pre-Series B, with a fully operational website, and founded within the last 10 years. Ensure all criteria are met before applying.

3. Prepare Necessary Documentation

Before you apply for AWS credits, make sure you have the following ready:

• Startup Founding Date: The date when your company was officially started.
• Funding Stage: Whether your company is self-funded or has received funding (e.g., pre-Series B).
• Company Website: A functioning website that shows information about your company.
• AWS Account: You need to create an AWS account if you don’t already have one, as it’s required to apply.

4. Submit Your Application

Once your documents are ready:

1. Log in to AWS: Use your AWS account to access the application page for AWS Activate.
2. Choose the Program Tier: Depending on your company type, select either Activate Founders (for newer startups) or Activate Portfolio (if your startup is part of an accelerator or incubator).
3. Fill Out the Form: Provide all the required details, such as your startup’s information and how you meet the eligibility criteria.

5. Await Approval

After you apply:

• AWS will review your application to make sure you meet their eligibility criteria.
• This can take a few days. AWS might ask for more information if something is unclear.

6. Redeem and Use Credits

If your application is approved:

• AWS will send you an email with the details of the credits you’ve received.
• You can log into your AWS account and activate these credits.
• They can be used to access AWS services like Amazon EC2 (for virtual servers), S3 (for storage), or Lambda (for running code).

7. Track and Optimize Usage

Once you start using your credits:

• Monitor Your Balance: Check how many credits are left in your AWS account using the AWS Billing Dashboard.
• Optimize Usage: Use AWS tools like Cost Explorer to ensure you’re using the credits effectively and not overspending.

Claim Your Free AWS Credits Now!

By thoroughly preparing your application and using the credits wisely, you can make the most of their benefits and establish a strong foundation for your startup on AWS. Remember to stay engaged with AWS to explore additional programs and resources, as they provide continued support beyond the initial credits. With a thoughtful approach, AWS credits can significantly accelerate your startup’s growth. If you need assistance with obtaining credits, feel free to reach out to top AWS consulting services. 

Kickstart your journey with Free AWS Credits for Your Startup and scale your innovation effortlessly!

Also, read about AWS Fargate or Lambda: Which AWS Service Maximizes Your ROI?