sourcey
Submit

agents:SKILL.mdmcp.jsonopenapi.yml

← Comparisons

AWS vs Google Cloud startup offers

Compare AWS and Google Cloud startup offers: what each offer gives, who qualifies, what it costs and how access works. Check the source behind each record.

written 3 Nov 2026

The short answer

Google Cloud's largest credit is up to $250,000 for AI startups, larger than AWS's largest benefit of at least $200,000. Neither company's live offers cost the startup anything throughout the offer.

Terms that change the decision

DimensionAWSGoogle Cloud
CreditsAWS Activate Portfolio credits: Up to $200,000AWS Activate Credits: Up to $200,000AWS Activate Founders: Up to $5,000AWS credits for AI startups: At least $200,000Google Cloud Scale tier: Up to $100,000Google Cloud Start tier: Up to $2,000 for 1 yearAI startups: Up to $250,000
DiscountsNoneGoogle Cloud Scale tier: 20% offAI startups: 20% off
CostAWS Activate Portfolio credits: Nothing to payAWS Activate Credits: Nothing to payAWS Activate Founders: Nothing to payAWS credits for AI startups: Nothing to payGoogle Cloud Scale tier: Nothing to payGoogle Cloud Start tier: Nothing to payAI startups: Nothing to pay
Who qualifiesAWS Activate Portfolio credits: Company was founded within the last 10 years; Must be pre-Series B and apply with an AWS Activate Provider Org ID; AWS also reviews prior credits and other application requirementsAWS Activate Credits: Apply for AWS Activate Credits as a startupAWS Activate Founders: Company was founded within the last 10 years; Must be self-funded, pre-Series B, have an AWS account on a paid tier, and be new to Activate credits or request more credits than previously receivedAWS credits for AI startups: Must be an invited AI startup ready to scale after AWS Activate PortfolioGoogle Cloud Scale tier: Must be a VC-funded startup that raised Pre-Seed or Seed within the last five years, or Series A within the last 12 months, was founded within five years, and has not received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud creditsGoogle Cloud Start tier: Company was founded within the last 24 months; Must be a technology startup planning to seek venture funding and must not have received prior Google Cloud credits beyond the free trialAI startups: Google admits AI-first startups case by case and requires AI to be foundational to the product rather than an add-on, alongside the Scale-tier application requirements
AccessAWS Activate Portfolio credits: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.AWS Activate Credits: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.AWS Activate Founders: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.AWS credits for AI startups: Open only to startups the vendor invites. Contact the vendor.Google Cloud Scale tier: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.Google Cloud Start tier: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.AI startups: Open to direct application by any startup that meets the eligibility requirements, with no referral, invitation or membership needed. Application form.

The offers behind the numbers

AWS

AWS provides cloud infrastructure, data services, and AI and machine-learning tools.

  • AWS Activate Portfolio creditsPre-Series B startups with an AWS Activate Provider Org ID can apply for up to $200,000 in AWS Activate credits.
  • AWS Activate CreditsEligible startups can apply for up to $200,000 in AWS Activate credits.
  • AWS Activate FoundersSelf-funded, pre-Series B startups founded within the last 10 years can apply for $1,000 in AWS credits, with selected participants eligible for up to $5,000.
  • AWS credits for AI startupsInvite-only AI startups ready to scale after AWS Activate Portfolio can receive more than $200,000 in AWS credits.

Google Cloud

Use Google Cloud credits to build and grow your startup business with innovative products and solutions designed for your needs.

Best fit

VC-backed applicants must have raised Pre-Seed or Seed within 5 years or Series A within 12 months.

  • Google Cloud Scale tierVC-funded startups ready to grow and scale can receive up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits in year one, then 20% up to another $100,000 in year two.
  • Google Cloud Start tierTechnology startups founded within the last 24 months that plan to seek venture funding can receive up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits for one year.
  • AI startupsAI-first startups can receive up to $250,000 in Google Cloud credits in year one, then 20% up to another $100,000 in year two.

Which fits when

VC-funded startups

Assumes

  • This assumes the company was founded within five years and raised Pre-Seed or Seed within five years or Series A within 12 months.

Caveat

Google Cloud limits this tier to startups that have not received more than $5,000 in prior Google Cloud credits.

Self-funded founders

Assumes

  • This assumes the company was founded within the last 10 years and is pre-Series B.

Caveat

You must already have an AWS account on a paid tier to qualify.

What the evidence does not settle

  1. A check on 3 Nov 2026 found Google Cloud's page now states it cannot accept dev shops, consultancies, agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, or cryptocurrency mining companies.
  2. A check on 16 Oct 2026 found AWS's page now states an AWS Account on Paid Tier Plan is required for AWS Activate.
  3. AWS grants its AI credits of more than $200,000 only by invitation after AWS Activate Portfolio. Google Cloud admits AI-first startups case by case and requires AI to be foundational to the product.

Official material reviewed

Sourcey rewrites this comparison when either record changes. Catalog release sha256:2d306ff6e371…

Something changed? Report outdated information or send private evidence through support.