Research report · Verified 2026-09-09

The number that matters is the tier you can reach

Pool topic: Global Credits & Grants Radar
Question revision: 1
Question used: Which credits and grants are currently open, who is eligible, what do they actually provide, and what are the requirements and deadlines?

The first catalogue answers a narrow but immediate question: what can an individual, a self-funded startup, or a funded startup credibly try now without mistaking a marketing ceiling for an available benefit?

Finding

The entry route is usually smaller and clearer than the headline. AWS Activate says its self-funded Founders tier starts at USD 1,000, with up to USD 5,000 for selected participants; Portfolio can reach USD 200,000 but needs an Activate Provider Organization ID. Cloudflare lists USD 10,000 for a self-funded Tier 3, USD 100,000 for an affiliated-partner Tier 2, and USD 350,000 for an affiliated-partner Tier 1. Microsoft documents USD 200 starter credits without an investor referral and describes up to USD 150,000 over time after approval or with higher-tier support. Google separates a working-MVP Start tier from a VC-funded Scale tier; its FAQ reports programme ceilings but does not state a separate Start amount.

Decision rules

Pre-funded: test your direct route first. Keep your company name, public site, product summary, account identifiers, prior credits, and payment information ready.
Funded: ask the investor or accelerator for the exact Provider Organization ID or referral code. “We have perks” is not a usable answer.
Individual: use the new-customer cloud credit only if the time window and covered services fit the project. It is a credit, not a cash grant.

Issuer sources

What remains unresolved

This report does not establish availability in every country or list individual cash and project grants. We also need a precise official resolution of Cloudflare's apparent Tier 3 funding ambiguity and the current Google Start-tier amount and validity. Until then, those fields stay unknown.