What are AWS Activate Credits?

While the process of being accepted for the AWS Activate system isn’t necessarily a guarantee, it is possible to have a startup with a backing of upwards of $100,000 for spending on various AWS services.  Alongside the necessary funding to make ends meet, users will also have access to technical support with partnered AWS Cloud experts 24/7 to help aid, advice, and practice needed for working with AWS services.  Finally, to best guide users without needing manual help watching over the shoulder, the Activate Console provides help at every stage of the startup.  It gives templates, tools, tutorial topics that fit the application’s needs, and real-time tracking for performance and cost management.

There are two different plans to choose from depending on what the client brings to the table and how to proceed: the Activate Portfolio Plan and the Activate Founders Plan

AWS Activate Portfolio

Portfolio is for users who want to grow, develop, and scale their startups with easy access to tools and resources.  This plan will provide users with aid from venture capital firms, accelerator organizations, incubator organizations, and other AWS Activate Provider partners.  Here’s what can be expected from this program:

What is Provided

• Up to $100,000 in financing for AWS services and up to $10,000 in AWS Support funding for pre-built assets, training, and 24/7 support.
• AWS comes with integrated tools such as Trusted Advisor and Personal Health Dashboard to provide users with best practice guides.
• Templates built by AWS experts specifically for startups that are secure, reliable, and scalable.
• AWS Activate Console for monitoring costs and credits expended.

Requirements

Becoming an Activate Portfolio user is just as easy as logging onto an AWS account and signing up for the program.  Results will be returned after 7-10 business days for evaluation.  In the meantime, there are still some requirements needed to qualify for Portfolio:

• The startup can be unfunded or funded up to and including Pre-Seed, Angel, Seed, Debt Financing, and Series A
• Activate Provider’s organization ID
• A company website belonging to the startup
• LinkedIn profile to apply with
• An AWS account in active use
• If the user is starting a new startup, they cannot receive AWS Activate credits at equal or greater value from the same or different Activate Provider
• Must not have exceeded $100,000 USD in awarded or redeemed AWS credits from AWS Activate
• Startup must be less than 10 years old

AWS Activate Founder

Activate is for users who are just looking to get off square one.  This plan will see users getting started on AWS free of charge with all the fees related to initiation waved.  While it may seem like this plan receives less than Portfolio, those offset initial costs easily help make up the difference.  Here is what can be expected from this plan:

What is Provided

• $1,000 to $100,000 in AWS credits to offset the initial fees.  Additional credits can be earned as the startup grows.  Users will also receive $350 in Developer Support credits to provide aid during business hours in addition to architectural guidance.
• AWS comes with integrated tools such as Trusted Advisor and Personal Health Dashboard to provide users with best practice guides.
• Templates built by AWS experts specifically for startups that are secure, reliable, and scalable.
• AWS Activate Console for monitoring costs and credits expended.

Requirements

Similar to Portfolio, Founders requires an AWS account to sign up with, with results returning anywhere between 7-10 business days.  Though the total number of requirements are overall fewer, they are just as important:

• The startup must be new to Founders and cannot have received any financial backing from Portfolio in the past.
• Must not be backed, unfinanced, or bootstrapped.  Additionally, there cannot be any previous association with one of AWS financial partners.
• A company website belonging to the startup or company profile
• Startup must be less than 10 years old