If you’re a startup founder looking to launch or scale your product, AWS infrastructure is powerful — but costly. Thankfully, Amazon Web Services offers $5,000 in free credits through the AWS Activate Founders program, designed specifically for early-stage startups without VC backing.

But navigating AWS’s application process can be confusing — and that’s where this guide (and Cloudvisor) comes in. We’ve helped hundreds of startups secure credits quickly and properly — and we’ll show you how.

What is AWS Activate Founders?

AWS Activate is Amazon’s official startup support program. It offers different tiers of credits depending on your funding and partner affiliation:

• AWS Activate Founders – $5,000 in credits
• AWS Activate Portfolio – Up to $100,000 (requires accelerator or VC partner affiliation)

This guide focuses on the $5,000 Founders track — for startups that are not part of an accelerator or VC portfolio.

For more context, you can also check our full guide: AWS Credits for Startups

Who Can Apply for AWS $5k Credits?

To qualify for the AWS Activate Founders program, your startup must meet the following criteria:

• Be self-funded or have raised funds through pre-seed, angel, seed, or Series A rounds.
• Have a fully functioning company website.
• Be founded within the past 10 years.
• Not be affiliated with an AWS Activate Provider (e.g., accelerators, incubators, venture capital firms).
• Have not previously received AWS Activate credits of equal or greater value.

These requirements are strict — but predictable. Cloudvisor helps you check all boxes before applying, so you don’t waste time with rejections.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply DIY

Here’s the exact process to apply for $5000 AWS credits:

1. Create an AWS Builder ID at console.aws.amazon.com/builderid
2. Log in to AWS Activate at aws.amazon.com/activate
3. Choose “Founders” program
4. Complete your Activate Profile, including company website, funding details, and AWS Account ID
5. Submit and wait 7–10 days for approval
6. Receive your credits via email and apply them through your AWS billing dashboard

Tip: Use a LinkedIn-verified business email and match it with your website domain — it improves trust and speeds up approval.

What You Can Use the Credits For

Once approved, you can spend AWS Activate credits on almost any core AWS service, including:

• EC2 (virtual servers)
• S3 (file storage)
• RDS (managed databases)
• SageMaker (ML development)
• Lambda, Fargate, CloudFront, and more

Many startups use the AWS 5k credits to cover:

• MVP launches
• AI/ML prototype testing
• Internal tools hosting
• Dev/staging environments

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Application

Here are 3 common errors that can delay or ruin your application:

• Using Gmail or personal email — AWS requires a company-branded domain
• Website under construction — it must be live and legit
• Wrong program selection — applying for Portfolio when you’re only eligible for Founders

Don’t waste time reapplying. We’ll help you get it right the first time.

What Happens After You’re Approved?

Once your credits land, here’s what to do:

• Track usage in AWS Billing Dashboard
• Set cost alerts to avoid overspending
• Review credit expiration date (usually 12 months)
• Start optimizing your setup — or talk to us and we’ll help

Need help using those credits effectively? Our team offers AWS cost optimization support to make sure you get the most out of your credits.

Why Apply with Cloudvisor?

You can apply directly through AWS…
But if you want to do it fast, get everything right, and unlock the maximum value — we’ve got you.

Cloudvisor is an official AWS partner. We’ve helped 250+ startups worldwide secure AWS Activate credits — with a 100% free process.

Here’s what you get with us:

• Guided application setup
• Personal review before submitting
• Help choosing the right track
• Post-approval cost & cloud guidance
• No fees, no strings — ever

We’re here to make sure you don’t leave free cloud money on the table.