AWS Activate Founders: $1,000 credits for self-funded startups

Amazon Web Services$1,000 to start, up to $5,000

Cost: Free to apply.
How long: AWS says it responds within 5–10 business days. Expiry follows the terms of the credit grant.
Last verified: Nov 9, 2026 · aws.amazon.com

What you get

$1,000 in AWS Activate credits for bootstrapped or self-funded startups. AWS says select participants may get up to $5,000.
Startups backed by an AWS Activate Provider (VC, accelerator) can apply to Activate Portfolio for up to $200,000.

Limits

Credits are subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms & Conditions.

Who qualifies

Pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years.
An AWS account on the Paid tier plan.
New to Activate credits, or asking for more than you got before.

Claim it with an AI agent

A browser or computer-use AI agent, for example Grok Bot or Meta's Muse, can do most of the clicking and setup. You keep the steps tied to your identity, money and legal consent.

The agent can do

Check the tier rules with you and draft accurate answers about your startup.
Walk through the AWS Builder ID profile and application form in your signed-in browser for you to review.

You do yourself

Create and verify your Builder ID and AWS account yourself.
Review and submit the application yourself.
Enter any payment details yourself.

Example prompt: "Open the official AWS Activate Founders page (aws.amazon.com) and check that this offer still matches what it says there. Once I've signed in, set it up for me. Stop and hand control back to me at any sign-in, phone or ID check, card field, captcha or terms acceptance."

Apply once per company with accurate details.

Sources

AWS Activate Credits

Checked Nov 9, 2026 on the official pages above. Offers change, and the official page always wins. All deals