What it offersActivate Founders starts at $1,000 for bootstrapped or self-funded startups; select participants may reach $5,000. Activate Portfolio offers up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider Org ID. AWS decides approval, tier and credit amount.

Eligibility to verifyMeet the current AWS Activate eligibility rules · Use an AWS account on a paid tier · Apply for a tier above any credits previously received

Next moveCheck the current AWS Activate tiers and confirm which application path matches your funding stage.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS Activate Provider pathway — A participating provider's invitation or Org ID opens an application path; credit approval remains separate.

Comes fromAWS startup account-team contact — The AWS Startup contact path can help route a founder toward current credits guidance.

Connects toAWS Startup Advisor — Credits and technical guidance can support the same early build journey.

Connects toAWS Activate Offers — Activate membership provides catalog access separately from credit approval; each offer has its own conditions.

Connects toKiro startup credits — Kiro and Activate are alternative or sequential credit paths whose current compatibility must be checked.

What it offersThe package depends on the participating provider and current AWS terms.

Eligibility to verifyAffiliation with an AWS Activate Provider and its invitation or confidential Org ID · Pre-Series B, founded in the last 10 years, and most recent funding within 12 months if applicable · Paid Tier AWS account and a request above any prior Activate credits · Functioning company website or public profile; not building on AWS China Regions · Confirm the provider-specific package and current application terms with AWS

Next moveAsk your affiliated investor, accelerator, incubator, or startup organization for an Activate email invitation or Org ID, then check the current package and application requirements. Do not publish the Org ID.

Who can helpAffiliated startup-organization contact — Ask your affiliated organization for an Activate invitation or Org ID ↗

Comes fromAWS startup programs and accelerators — Some accelerator and ecosystem relationships may also connect founders to Activate Provider pathways.

UnlocksAWS Activate Credits — A participating provider's invitation or Org ID opens an application path; credit approval remains separate.

What it offersGuidance and startup-focused AWS resources.

Eligibility to verifyReview the current access terms on the official product page

Next moveOpen Startup Advisor with one concrete architecture or service-selection question.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS Activate Credits — Credits and technical guidance can support the same early build journey.

Comes fromAWS Free Tier — Low-cost experimentation and startup architecture guidance fit the same early build journey.

Connects toAWS Well-Architected review — Early architecture guidance can lead into a review of a defined workload.

What it offersAssessment, migration support, and possible incentives depend on the workload and engagement.

Eligibility to verifyQualifying migration workload · Assessment with AWS or an AWS migration partner

Next moveDocument your current workload, spend, and migration goals before requesting an AWS migration assessment.

Who can helpAWS migration specialist or partner — Request a migration assessment ↗

Comes fromAWS Migration Evaluator — A data-backed migration business case can precede a structured migration engagement.

Connects toAWS Well-Architected review — A migrated workload can move into a structured architecture and operations review.

What it offersA procurement and distribution pathway rather than a guaranteed source of demand.

Eligibility to verifyA repeatable enterprise offer · AWS Partner Network and Marketplace onboarding requirements · Operational readiness to transact and support buyers

Next moveTreat Marketplace as a readiness journey; first confirm customer demand and document the onboarding prerequisites.

Who can helpAWS Partner or Marketplace contact — Join the AWS Partner Network ↗

Comes fromAWS Partner Network — Partner enrollment begins the pathway toward Marketplace selling readiness.

Comes fromAWS Foundational Technical Review — Technical validation strengthens readiness for the AWS software-partner and Marketplace path.

Connects toAWS co-sell pathway — Marketplace and partner readiness can precede deeper co-sell participation.

Prerequisite forAWS Marketplace private offers — An operational Marketplace listing is required before a seller can use private offers.

What it offersPotential seller collaboration for qualified partner opportunities; results are not guaranteed.

Eligibility to verifyAWS Partner Network participation · Partner-path readiness · Qualified customer opportunities

Next moveBuild Marketplace and partner readiness before treating AWS co-sell as an immediate acquisition channel.

Who can helpAWS Partner or Marketplace contact — Join the AWS Partner Network ↗

Comes fromAWS Marketplace readiness — Marketplace and partner readiness can precede deeper co-sell participation.

Comes fromAWS Marketplace private offers — Qualified private-offer activity can become part of a broader AWS co-sell motion.

Comes fromAWS ISV Accelerate — ISV Accelerate is a structured software-partner path into deeper AWS co-selling.

What it offersAWS currently advertises up to $200 in credits; plan, account, service, and timing terms apply.

Eligibility to verifyReview current Free Tier plan and credit terms · Set budget alerts before deploying workloads

Next moveCompare the Free and Paid plans, then create an account only after setting a small budget and a concrete experiment.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Connects toAWS Startup Advisor — Low-cost experimentation and startup architecture guidance fit the same early build journey.

Connects toAWS Well-Architected review — An initial AWS workload can later become the subject of a structured architecture review.

What it offersA form to reach an AWS sales representative and request account-team guidance; response and specialist assignment are not guaranteed.

Eligibility to verifyContact details, company type, job role, industry, country or region, use case, inquiry type, and project description · Prepare a concise description of your company, workload, and request

Next moveChoose Sales Support as the nature of inquiry in the AWS Sales form and request startup account-team guidance, including your stage, workload, current provider, and desired outcome.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS startup events — Events can create a warmer reason to begin an AWS startup relationship.

Connects toAWS Activate Credits — The AWS Startup contact path can help route a founder toward current credits guidance.

Connects toAWS startup programs and accelerators — Startup contacts and active programs are complementary ways to enter the ecosystem.

What it offersKiro currently advertises a limited-time offer of up to one year of Pro+ for eligible startups; tier and regional terms apply.

Eligibility to verifyVC-backed startup at an early stage through Series A · Official business-domain email · AWS Account ID using the required matching email · Supported geography · No conflicting active-credit status under current terms

Next moveRead the current Kiro startup FAQ and terms before applying; do not assume AWS Activate and this offer can be used simultaneously.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS Activate Credits — Kiro and Activate are alternative or sequential credit paths whose current compatibility must be checked.

What it offersA changing catalog of third-party offers; eligibility can vary by credit package, location, and the individual offer.

Eligibility to verifyAWS Builder ID and completed Activate membership form · Startup located outside China · Check each offer’s credit-package, location, eligibility, and redemption conditions separately

Next moveSign in to see your eligible offers, shortlist tools you expect to buy next quarter, and check each offer’s conditions before redeeming. Membership does not establish eligibility for every offer.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS Activate Credits — Activate membership provides catalog access separately from credit approval; each offer has its own conditions.

What it offersProgram-specific technical expertise, mentorship, community, exposure, credits, or resources; availability varies.

Eligibility to verifyProgram-specific stage, geography, sector, timing, and application requirements

Next moveReview the live program directory and set a reminder only for cohorts that match your stage, sector, and geography.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Comes fromAWS startup account-team contact — Startup contacts and active programs are complementary ways to enter the ecosystem.

Connects toAWS Activate Provider pathway — Some accelerator and ecosystem relationships may also connect founders to Activate Provider pathways.

What it offersEvent access, content, and networking vary by date, location, format, and capacity.

Eligibility to verifyCurrent event registration, geography, format, and capacity terms

Next moveChoose one current event tied to a real technical or business question and register through the official listing.

Who can helpAWS Startup team — Ask AWS Sales for startup account-team guidance ↗

Connects toAWS startup account-team contact — Events can create a warmer reason to begin an AWS startup relationship.

What it offersFree and subscription learning options; course and lab availability varies.

Eligibility to verifyAWS Builder ID or applicable sign-in · Subscription for paid learning experiences where required

Next moveChoose one learning plan tied to your next deployment rather than browsing the full training catalog.

Who can helpAWS Solutions Architect — Ask AWS Sales for an account-team or architecture introduction ↗

Connects toAWS Well-Architected review — Targeted training can prepare a team to make better use of a Well-Architected review.

What it offersFramework guidance and review tooling; expert-led remediation scope and funding vary.

Eligibility to verifyA defined workload or architecture · Time to document findings and prioritize remediation

Next moveSelect one production or near-production workload and complete a focused review with owners for every resulting action.

Who can helpAWS Solutions Architect — Ask AWS Sales for an account-team or architecture introduction ↗

Comes fromAWS Free Tier — An initial AWS workload can later become the subject of a structured architecture review.

Comes fromAWS Skill Builder — Targeted training can prepare a team to make better use of a Well-Architected review.

Comes fromAWS Startup Advisor — Early architecture guidance can lead into a review of a defined workload.

Comes fromSaaS architecture guidance — SaaS design guidance can feed a broader Well-Architected workload review.

Comes fromAWS Migration Acceleration Program — A migrated workload can move into a structured architecture and operations review.

Connects toAWS Foundational Technical Review — Architecture remediation can strengthen readiness for partner technical validation.

What it offersThe entry point for partner tooling, technical validation, specializations, Marketplace, and co-sell paths.

Eligibility to verifyBusiness registration and Partner Central account · A clear AWS-based or AWS-integrated offering · Ongoing partner-path requirements

Next moveReview the software partner path and join only if you can name the technical validation or go-to-market outcome you need next.

Who can helpAWS Partner or Marketplace contact — Join the AWS Partner Network ↗

Prerequisite forAWS Foundational Technical Review — AWS Partner Network participation is the foundation for requesting partner technical validation.

Prerequisite forAWS Marketplace readiness — Partner enrollment begins the pathway toward Marketplace selling readiness.

What it offersA partner technical review that can unlock additional AWS Partner benefits.

Eligibility to verifyAWS Partner Network enrollment · Deployed software offering · Current FTR security, reliability, and operational criteria

Next moveUse the official FTR checklist to identify evidence gaps before requesting review through Partner Central.

Who can helpAWS Partner or Marketplace contact — Join the AWS Partner Network ↗

Comes fromAWS Well-Architected review — Architecture remediation can strengthen readiness for partner technical validation.

Comes fromAWS Partner Network — AWS Partner Network participation is the foundation for requesting partner technical validation.

Connects toAWS Marketplace readiness — Technical validation strengthens readiness for the AWS software-partner and Marketplace path.

UnlocksAWS ISV Accelerate — Foundational technical validation can unlock additional software-partner benefits and readiness.

What it offersCo-sell support, seller visibility, training, and program benefits for qualified AWS software partners.

Eligibility to verifyAWS Partner Network membership · ACE eligibility · AWS Marketplace participation · Current launched-opportunity threshold and other program requirements

Next moveReview the current requirements and measure your launched ACE or Marketplace private-offer activity before applying.

Who can helpAWS Partner Development Manager — Use Partner Central support to check for an assigned PDM ↗

Comes fromAWS Foundational Technical Review — Foundational technical validation can unlock additional software-partner benefits and readiness.

Comes fromAWS Marketplace private offers — Launched Marketplace private offers can contribute to current ISV Accelerate activity requirements.

Connects toAWS co-sell pathway — ISV Accelerate is a structured software-partner path into deeper AWS co-selling.

What it offersCustom buyer pricing and EULA terms through AWS Marketplace; it does not create demand by itself.

Eligibility to verifyRegistered AWS Marketplace seller · Eligible listed product · Buyer-specific commercial terms and approvals · Operational quoting and reporting process

Next movePrepare a repeatable pricing and approval process before using private offers for a qualified buyer opportunity.

Who can helpAWS Partner or Marketplace contact — Join the AWS Partner Network ↗

Comes fromAWS Marketplace readiness — An operational Marketplace listing is required before a seller can use private offers.

Connects toAWS ISV Accelerate — Launched Marketplace private offers can contribute to current ISV Accelerate activity requirements.

Connects toAWS co-sell pathway — Qualified private-offer activity can become part of a broader AWS co-sell motion.

What it offersTechnical patterns, business guidance, and SaaS architecture resources rather than implementation services.

Eligibility to verifyA SaaS product or planned SaaS business model · A concrete architecture decision to investigate

Next movePick one unresolved SaaS design decision and use the official guidance to document the tradeoff before implementation.

Who can helpAWS Solutions Architect — Ask AWS Sales for an account-team or architecture introduction ↗

Connects toAWS Well-Architected review — SaaS design guidance can feed a broader Well-Architected workload review.

What it offersA data-driven business case developed with AWS migration expertise; conclusions depend on supplied workload data.

Eligibility to verifyExisting on-premises workload inventory and usage data · Willingness to share enough data for a useful assessment

Next moveGather workload inventory, utilization, contract, and cost data before requesting a Migration Evaluator assessment.

Who can helpAWS migration specialist or partner — Request a migration assessment ↗

Connects toAWS Migration Acceleration Program — A data-backed migration business case can precede a structured migration engagement.