How to stack cloud credits
Credit programs are independent, so you don’t have to pick one. Claim them in the right order and a bootstrapped startup can self-apply for $288K before ever raising — then unlock far more with an accelerator or VC.
Last updated July 2026
The playbook
Stack them in this order
- 1
Start with the open, self-apply tiers
Claim the no-strings tiers first — AWS Activate Founders and Google for Startups Start approve almost instantly with just a company website and a working email. They’re small, but immediate and risk-free.
- 2
Layer the big no-funding programs
Add the high-ceiling self-apply programs: Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub (up to $150,000), DigitalOcean Hatch, Oracle for Startups, and MongoDB for Startups. None require a round or an accelerator — this is where most of your no-funding total comes from.
- 3
Unlock partner-gated tiers through an accelerator or VC
Once you join an accelerator or incubator, or raise from a participating VC, the six-figure tiers open up — AWS Activate Portfolio, Google for Startups Scale, and Cloudflare for Startups. Apply with your program’s referral or org ID.
- 4
Mind validity windows and one-per-startup rules
Most credits expire 12–24 months after they’re applied, and each program is one-time per startup. Stagger migrations so you actually spend each balance before it expires — and don’t claim a program before you have workloads ready to use it.
A realistic stack
What $288K without funding looks like
These are the self-apply programs — no round, no accelerator — that add up to the no-funding total. Claim the big ones first.
- Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub(Azure)$150K
- DigitalOcean Hatch(Other)$100K
- Oracle for Startups(Other)$30K
- MongoDB for Startups(Other)$5K
- Google for Startups Cloud Program · Start(GCP)$2K
- AWS Activate · Founders(AWS)$1K
- Combined, self-apply$288K
Add an accelerator or VC and the partner-gated tiers push this much higher — see the provider comparison.
FAQ
Common questions
- Can you stack cloud credits from different providers?
- Yes. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and the smaller programs are all independent, so you can hold credits from several at once and run different workloads on each. The main limits are per-program: each is one-time per startup with its own expiry.
- Can I use AWS and Azure credits at the same time?
- Yes. There’s no exclusivity between providers. Many startups run their primary workloads on one cloud’s credits while using another’s for a specific service like managed databases or AI.
- Do cloud credits expire?
- Almost always. Most startup credits are valid for 12 to 24 months from the date they’re applied to your account. Plan your migrations so the balance is spent inside that window.