Free cloud credits for startups: AWS, Google and Microsoft self-serve programmes

Programme terms change often. Everything below comes from each provider's public pages as checked on 15 Oct 2026; confirm the current terms before you apply. Startup Roof has no partnership with any of these providers and plays no part in their decisions.

If you're building a software product, cloud costs can arrive before revenue does. The three largest cloud providers each run startup programmes that offer promotional credits, technical resources and support. Founders in the UAE can apply directly. This guide summarises what each provider publishes, focusing on the routes open to self-funded and early-stage startups, and gives tips for making the credits last.

AWS Activate

AWS offers promotional credits through AWS Activate, with tiers based on funding stage (AWS: Activate credits).

Eligibility (per AWS's page): pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, an AWS account on a paid tier plan, and either new to Activate credits or requesting more than previously received.

Tiers relevant to most early founders:

• Activate Founders (self-funded): for bootstrapped or self-funded startups, applied for directly. As of 16 Oct 2026, AWS says you start with USD 1,000 in credits, and select participants may qualify for up to USD 5,000.
• Activate Portfolio (pre-Series B): as of 16 Oct 2026, up to USD 200,000 in credits, but only with an Organization ID from an Activate Provider (an accelerator, angel investor or VC firm that's part of AWS's network).

There's also an invite-only tier for AI startups ready to scale. If you're in an accelerator, ask whether it is an Activate Provider; if not, the self-funded route is the one to use.

Google for Startups Cloud Program

Google's programme matches startups to tiers based on stage (Google Cloud: Startup program eligibility and benefits; Google for Startups: Cloud).

Early-stage tier: for startups not yet backed by equity funding, as of 16 Oct 2026 Google says you can receive up to USD 2,000 in credits, valid for one year, with technical resources and community access.

Funded tiers: as of 16 Oct 2026, Google's startup page says Seed to Series A startups can get up to USD 200,000 in cloud credits, or up to USD 350,000 for AI-first startups (Google Cloud: Startups) (Google Cloud: AI startup program).

Basic requirements listed by Google include: a Google Cloud account and billing ID, a publicly available company website, a company email domain matching the website, and a founding date within Google's stated window. Google also lists exclusions (for example agencies, consultancies, dev shops and personal blogs), says acceptance is at its discretion, and has a condition about paid Google Workspace subscriptions on your company domain around the time you apply. Read the footnotes on the eligibility page carefully.

Microsoft for Startups

Microsoft describes a single entry route for all startups (Microsoft Learn: Getting started with Microsoft for Startups).

What the page lists:

• starter credits to begin building on Azure: as of 16 Oct 2026, the getting-started page says up to USD 200, while Microsoft's credit activation guide says members who join on or after 29 May 2026 get up to USD 1,000 in starter credits (Microsoft Learn: Activate Azure credits)
• the ability to unlock up to USD 150,000 in credits over time, based on verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage, through a series of milestones
• access to Azure AI capabilities, Azure services, technical resources and go-to-market support

You apply through startups.microsoft.com and manage credits in the programme portal once accepted. Read the milestone requirements on Microsoft's page: higher tiers depend on usage and verification, not just on applying.

Comparing the three at a glance

	AWS Activate (Founders)	Google for Startups Cloud (early stage)	Microsoft for Startups
Who it's for	Self-funded, pre-Series B	Not yet equity-funded	All startups, same entry
Starting credits (as of 16 Oct 2026)	USD 1,000, up to 5,000 for select participants	Up to USD 2,000, valid 1 year	Up to USD 200–1,000 starter credits (see above), more via milestones
Higher tiers	Up to USD 200,000 via Activate Provider Org ID	Up to USD 200,000 (Seed–Series A), up to 350,000 AI-first	Up to USD 150,000 via usage milestones
Source	aws.amazon.com/startups/credits	cloud.google.com/startup/benefits	learn.microsoft.com (Microsoft for Startups)

Credits are promotional, have expiry dates, apply only to eligible services, and are granted at each provider's discretion. None of this is guaranteed.

How to choose

• Pick the platform your team knows. Credits run out; switching costs don't. Choose the stack you'd choose anyway.
• Check which services are covered. Some credits exclude certain services, marketplace products or support plans.
• Look at expiry. A one-year credit used in month 11 is wasted if you haven't launched.
• Don't build lock-in for credits alone. Keep your architecture portable where it's cheap to do so.

Making credits last

1. Set billing alerts and budgets on day one, at low thresholds.
2. Shut down what you're not using. Idle test environments, oversized databases and forgotten GPUs are the usual culprits.
3. Use managed and serverless options for early workloads where they're cheaper at low volume.
4. Tag resources by project so you can see what's costing money.
5. Plan for the end of credits. Model your monthly cost after credits expire and make sure your pricing covers it.

Preparing your application

• A live company website and a matching company email domain
• Your trade licence or incorporation details and founding date
• A short, clear description of your product and how you'll use the cloud
• If you're in an accelerator, its provider ID where relevant (AWS)
• Honest answers about funding stage, since tiers depend on it

Frequently asked questions

Can a UAE-registered startup apply? The provider pages quoted here don't list the UAE as excluded, but each programme has its own terms and country rules. Check the terms page linked from each application before you apply.

Can I apply to more than one programme? The pages don't stop you holding credits from different providers, but each sets its own conditions. Running production on two clouds just to use credits usually adds cost and complexity.

Do I need a company before applying? Google asks for a company website and matching email domain, and AWS and Microsoft ask about your startup. Having your licence and a live website ready makes applications simpler.

What happens when credits expire? You pay normal rates for anything still running. Set alerts well before expiry and review your setup.

Where Startup Roof fits

Startup Roof is a UAE-first founder ecosystem with source-checked guides, founder tools and a network of people building here. We don't offer or arrange cloud credits; this guide simply points you to the providers' own programmes. Explore startuproof.com to see what else is there.

Build. Scale. Grow.

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Sources (providers' public programme pages, checked 15 Oct 2026)

• AWS: AWS Activate credits
• Google Cloud: Startup program eligibility and benefits; AI startup program; Google for Startups: Cloud
• Microsoft Learn: Getting started with Microsoft for Startups