Cloud Startup Programs

More Programs: All Programs AI Programs 6

Tool	Potential Value	Description
Google Cloud Cloud	$350,000	Provides up to $200,000 in credits for cloud services and infrastructure.
Approval Index VC-Backed Typically requires VC partner intro Eligibility Must be less than 5 years old Must have received less than Series A funding Must not be a previous Google Cloud Platform program participant Must have a company website Must be associated with an approved accelerator, incubator, or VC firm (for full program) Programs Google for Startups Cloud Program $200,000 Google for Startups Cloud Program (AI track) $350,000 View full breakdown Apply on Google Cloud
Cloudflare Infra / Edge	$250,000	Offers tiered startup credits from $5,000 to $250,000 based on funding stage.
Approval Index Open to All Available to most startups Eligibility Tiers based on stage (bootstrapped → high‑growth); building a software product; typically ≤5 years old. Programs Cloudflare for Startups Up to $250,000 View full breakdown Apply on Cloudflare
Microsoft Cloud	$150,000	Offers up to $150,000 in Azure credits for cloud services and development tools.
Approval Index VC-Backed Typically requires VC partner intro Eligibility Must be less than 7 years old Must have annual revenue less than $10M Must not be a previous Microsoft for Startups participant Must have a professional website Must be building a business-to-business technology solution Programs Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub $150,000 Azure Cloud Credits for Startups $5,000 Microsoft for Startups — Investor Offer $100,000 View full breakdown Apply on Microsoft
IBM Cloud	$120,000	Provides up to $120,000 cloud credits for cloud services and AI.
Approval Index Conditions Specific eligibility criteria apply Eligibility Must be less than 5 years old Must have less than $1M in annual revenue Must not be a current IBM Cloud customer Must have a minimum viable product Must be building an innovative technology solution Programs Startup with IBM $120,000 View full breakdown Apply on IBM
AWS Cloud	$100,000	Offers up to $100,000 in AWS credits for cloud infrastructure, AI model credits via Bedrock, and up to $1M for select accelerator cohorts.
Approval Index Open to All Available to most startups Eligibility Must be less than 10 years old Must not have previously received AWS Activate credits Must be privately held Must have a professional company website and email Must be a member of an approved accelerator, incubator, VC, or other startup organization (for full $100k credits) Programs AWS Activate $100,000 AWS Activate Founders $1,000 AWS Activate (Portfolio/Founders) $100,000 View full breakdown Apply on AWS
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DigitalOcean Cloud	$100,000	Provides up to $5,000 in infrastructure credits for their cloud platform.
Approval Index VC-Backed Typically requires VC partner intro Eligibility Must be less than 5 years old Must be part of an approved accelerator or incubator Must not have previously received DigitalOcean credits Must have a company website Must be building a scalable technology product Programs DigitalOcean for Startups $5,000 DigitalOcean for Startups $100,000 View full breakdown Apply on DigitalOcean
Oracle Cloud Cloud	$100,000	Up to $100,000 in Oracle Cloud credits with $500 free to start and 70% discount.
Approval Index Conditions Specific eligibility criteria apply Eligibility Benefits vary by region/partner; Always Free services available. Must be less than 10 years old Must have a minimum viable product Must not be a current Oracle Cloud customer Must have a scalable technology solution Programs Oracle for Startups Up to $100,000 View full breakdown Apply on Oracle Cloud

Google Cloud

Cloud

$350,000

Provides up to $200,000 in credits for cloud services and infrastructure.

Cloudflare

Infra / Edge

$250,000

Offers tiered startup credits from $5,000 to $250,000 based on funding stage.

Microsoft

Cloud

$150,000

Offers up to $150,000 in Azure credits for cloud services and development tools.

IBM

Cloud

$120,000

Provides up to $120,000 cloud credits for cloud services and AI.

AWS

Cloud

$100,000

Offers up to $100,000 in AWS credits for cloud infrastructure, AI model credits via Bedrock, and up to $1M for select accelerator cohorts.

DigitalOcean

Cloud

$100,000

Provides up to $5,000 in infrastructure credits for their cloud platform.

Oracle Cloud

Cloud

$100,000

Up to $100,000 in Oracle Cloud credits with $500 free to start and 70% discount.

Showing all 7 programs. Last updated July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What cloud programs are available for startups?

Credit for Startups lists 7 cloud programs programs, including Google Cloud, Cloudflare, Microsoft, IBM, worth up to $350,000. Browse the list to compare value, eligibility, and how to apply.

Do I need to be VC-backed to qualify?

Not always. Some programs are open to bootstrapped founders; others require a VC or accelerator referral. Each listing shows its referral requirement and application difficulty — or use the Get Matched tool to filter to programs that fit your startup.

How do I apply?

Pick a program, review its eligibility and step-by-step "how to apply" on its page, then apply directly through the provider. It's free to apply, and we're an independent directory — not affiliated with the programs listed.

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Credits

43

Cloud, AI, and developer-tool credits founders can claim — usage dollars to spend on the infrastructure powering your stack.

Accelerators

6

Cohort-based accelerators and incubators — Y Combinator, Techstars, Antler and the rest. Most provide cash for equity plus mentorship and a demo day.

Perks

36

Discounts and free tiers on the tools every startup uses — banking, legal, productivity, hiring, sales, marketing.

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Frequently asked questions

What cloud programs are available for startups?

Do I need to be VC-backed to qualify?

How do I apply?

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Credits

Accelerators

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