Google, AWS, Microsoft and NVIDIA offer startups cloud credits to pay for servers, databases and AI models on their platforms. Google for Startups Cloud Program advertises the largest package: up to $350,000 over two years for venture-backed AI startups. None of the four companies publishes a list of participating countries, so a Kazakhstani company’s eligibility is confirmed only during the application process.
All four programmes accept applications year-round, without cohorts or deadlines. Microsoft reviews applications within three working days. Google responds within a few working days, although complex cases can take 10 days or more.
AWS Activate: up to $200,000 through a partner
Amazon Web Services offers two main packages. Activate Founders, for startups without external funding, starts at $1,000; some companies eventually receive up to $5,000. AWS does not explain exactly how the amount increases. Activate Portfolio offers up to $200,000 but requires an Org ID from an Activate Provider—an AWS partner such as an accelerator, venture fund or incubator. A third package for AI startups starts at $200,000 and is available by invitation only.
Startups must be earlier than Series B, founded within the past 10 years, have an active website and use a paid AWS account. Credits cover more than 200 services, including EC2, S3, SageMaker and Amazon Bedrock with models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Mistral AI and Meta. They cannot cover Mechanical Turk, AWS Managed Services, Professional Services or certification training. Credits cannot be transferred to customers, and government organisations are ineligible. Depending on the package, credits expire after one or two years.
Google for Startups Cloud Program: $2,000 to $350,000
Startups without investment receive $2,000 to develop an MVP. Seed and Series A companies can receive up to $200,000; AI startups can receive up to $350,000. For Series B and later, Google offers tailored terms without a fixed amount.
The larger packages are spread over two years. In year one, Google covers 100% of charges up to $100,000, or $250,000 for AI startups. In year two, credits cover only 20% of the bill, capped at another $100,000. The company pays the other 80%.
The AI track requires venture funding: pre-seed or seed funding within the past five years, or a Series A round within the past 12 months. The company must be no more than five years old and have previously received no more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits. Its core product must run on Gemini. Google does not count private equity or government innovation grants as venture funding, so a grant from QazInnovation, for example, would not qualify for this track.
Credits can pay for Google Cloud, BigQuery, Gemini and Gemma. They cannot cover Workspace, Google Maps Platform, Google Ads, third-party Marketplace services or third-party models. The applicant’s email must use the same domain as the startup’s public website. Agencies, consultancies, custom development businesses, universities, government bodies, nonprofits and cryptocurrency mining businesses are excluded.
Microsoft for Startups: $200 initially, up to $150,000 later
The programme, formerly known as Founders Hub, provides $200 in Azure credits upon approval. This can eventually increase to $150,000: Microsoft unlocks further credits for verified progress and regular Azure usage. Startups referred by a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner receive larger amounts sooner. The partner’s referral code must be included in the application.
The programme targets B2B companies building their own software, AI or technology products, from pre-seed to Series C. Startups must be independent rather than subsidiaries, privately held and for-profit. Agencies, consultancies, universities, government organisations and cryptocurrency mining businesses are excluded.
Credits are valid for up to two years after activation and must be activated within 90 days; extensions are unavailable. When credits run out or expire, the subscription automatically switches to pay-as-you-go billing. The headquarters must be in a supported country. Microsoft’s documentation says the offer is unavailable in countries outside the list, but does not publish that list. Kazakhstan’s availability can be checked only in the application form.
NVIDIA Inception: benefits rather than a fixed amount
Membership is free: NVIDIA charges no fees and takes no equity. Applicants must be registered companies less than 10 years old, employ at least one developer and have an active website. Consultancies, outsourced development businesses, cryptocurrency projects, cloud providers, resellers and publicly listed companies are excluded. A pitch deck is required.
Members receive cloud credits from NVIDIA and its partners, discounts on selected NVIDIA hardware and software, free Deep Learning Institute courses and discounts on in-person workshops. Eligible startups can join Inception Capital Connect to meet venture funds. NVIDIA’s programme page does not specify credit amounts or name cloud partners. It also does not publish a country list.
What to check before applying
Credits are not cash. They cannot be withdrawn or spent outside the platform. Once they expire or reach their limit, standard charges apply. Set budget limits in the cloud console immediately after activation to avoid unexpected bills.
The largest packages are tied to investors. AWS requires a partner Org ID, Google’s AI track requires a venture round, and Microsoft unlocks credits faster with an Investor Network code. If you are in an accelerator or have received funding, ask whether it is an AWS, Google or Microsoft partner.
The formal requirements are similar across the programmes:
- a registered legal entity;
- an active website describing the product;
- a corporate email on the website domain, rather than Gmail or Mail.ru;
- a cloud billing account with a payment card attached.
Web studios and outsourced development teams, common in Kazakhstan, are excluded from most of these programmes: Google, Microsoft and NVIDIA explicitly exclude agencies and custom development.
Apply to Google for Startups Cloud Program
Apply to Microsoft for Startups
Programme listings in the RAEM grants directory: AWS Activate, Google for Startups Cloud Program, Microsoft for Startups, NVIDIA Inception.
Terms checked on 26 September 2026.
