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Free AI credits for startups

If you're building a startup, the big providers will give you serious AI credits — five and six figures — through their startup programs. Here are the verified options, with who qualifies and how much.

The short answer

The most generous are AWS Activate (up to $200k) and Google for Startups (up to $200k over two years), with Microsoft Founders Hub (up to $150k Azure + $2,500 OpenAI) close behind. Venture-backed teams can also apply to Claude for Startups. All are application-based — no card to apply.

Frequently asked questions

How much AI credit can a startup get?
A lot, if you qualify: AWS Activate offers up to $200,000, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub up to $150,000 in Azure credits plus $2,500 in OpenAI credits, and Google for Startups up to $200,000 over two years (up to $350,000 for AI-first startups). Anthropic offers Claude credits to venture-backed startups (amount not publicly disclosed).
Do startup programs require a credit card to apply?
No — these are application-based. You apply with proof of eligibility, not a card. Spending cloud credits does require the underlying cloud account, which has its own billing setup.
Who is eligible for startup AI credits?
Eligibility varies: most require you to be an early-stage company founded within the last 4–10 years. The largest cloud tiers (AWS Portfolio, Google Scale, Anthropic) require institutional/VC funding or association with an accelerator, while entry tiers (Google Start, self-funded AWS Founders) are open to bootstrapped startups.