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Cloud Infrastructure programs for startups

These 9 verified cloud infrastructure programs offer up to roughly $1.1M in combined value for early-stage startups. Cloudflare for Startups leads with Up to $350,000 in Cloudflare credits. Every listing below shows who qualifies, whether a VC or accelerator referral is required, and when it was last verified.

9 programs, sorted by credit value · updated 2026-09-25.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare for Startups

Cloudflare
Max value
Up to $350,000 in Cloudflare credits

Up to $350K in Cloudflare credits across the Developer Platform and security suite, with a $10K tier open to bootstrapped startups.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20267–21 day review
Amazon Web Services

AWS Activate

Amazon Web Services
Max value
Up to $200,000 ($200,000+ for AI)

Amazon's flagship program. Up to $5,000 self-serve, up to $200,000 through a VC or accelerator, and more for AI startups by invitation.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20262–10 day review
Google Cloud

Google for Startups Cloud Program

Google Cloud
Max value
Up to $200,000 (or $350,000 for AI-first)

Up to $200K GCP credits (or $350K for AI-first startups) over 2 years with dedicated Startup Success Manager.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 202614–28 day review
Microsoft

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub

Microsoft
Max value
Up to $150,000 Azure credits

The easiest-to-qualify major cloud program, up to $150K Azure credits (investor-referred), no VC required for entry tiers.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20261–7 day review
Render

Render Startup Program

Render
Max value
Up to $100,000 (AI tier)

Up to $100K credits (AI tier) for partner-referred startups. Great Heroku alternative with stateful-by-default architecture.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20263–10 day review
Backblaze

Backblaze Flamethrower

Backblaze
Max value
Up to $100,000 in B2 storage credits

Up to $100,000 in B2 object storage credits, open to bootstrapped teams as well as VC-backed ones.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedSeed
Verified Sep 20265–20 day review
Vercel

Vercel for Startups

Vercel
Max value
Up to $30,000 in credits

Up to $30K Vercel credits (standard); $216K + $8M AI partner credits via AI Accelerator cohort.

Cloud InfrastructureNeeds referralBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20267–30 day review
Pulumi

Pulumi for Startups

Pulumi
Max value
Up to $10,000 in credits (12 months)

Up to $10,000 in Pulumi credits over 12 months for pre-Series A startups under $1M ARR, plus office hours.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20263–14 day review
DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean Startups

DigitalOcean
Max value
Credits vary by partner, $10,000/month spend cap

Cloud credits for startups that have raised $10M or less, with AI-native companies prioritized. Amounts vary by partner.

Cloud InfrastructureNo referral neededBootstrappedPre-seed
Verified Sep 20263–10 day review