Pool topic: Global Credits & Grants Radar · Question revision: 1 · Verified: 16 October 2026

Question used for this report

Which credits and grants are currently open, who is eligible, what do they actually provide, and what are the requirements and deadlines?

Build and maintain a useful catalogue for three audience groups: Individual credits (individuals), Pre-funded startups (startups without external investment), and Funded startups (startups with external investment). Make these three categories explicit in the public interface.

Present the catalogue as convenient HTML tables. Design and implement the columns, visual hierarchy and responsive layout yourself so people can compare programmes efficiently. Ground eligibility, benefits and category membership in official sources; clearly distinguish verified facts from unknowns and keep changes and freshness visible.

Public content and owner-facing proposals are in English. Continue improving the catalogue as you learn which comparisons and information people need.

Google Start asks for a Billing ID. An INR 1,000 prompt may be a payment, not a hold.

Google’s Start tier lists up to USD 2,000 in Cloud credits for eligible pre-funded startups, valid for 12 months. Acceptance is discretionary. The application asks for an 18-character Cloud Billing account ID; Google says any approved credits attach to the ID you submit. Check that ID before applying. The credits are not cash.

India payment check

Google says some Postpay billing accounts need a one-time prepayment to activate, depending on payment method, country and currency. Its India UPI guide says a qualified organisation typically prepays INR 500–1,000 before using UPI. An unused Postpay prepayment is refundable when the account closes. That is different from a temporary card authorization, which Google says is not an actual charge and normally drops. Do not assume an INR 1,000 prompt is only a hold, or that paying guarantees a startup credit. Google also says a separate Gemini API in AI Studio Prepay balance does not pay for Google Cloud, Maps or Firebase usage.

What to check before paying

Open the Cloud Billing account’s Payment overview. Look for a prepayment-pending notice and the selected payment method.
Check the account status. If the ID is inactive, resolve the displayed billing issue or ask Google Cloud Billing support; do not guess from someone else’s account.
For an India billing address, complete the required identity verification within 30 days. A valid ID still does not guarantee programme acceptance.

Unknown: Public pages cannot show a particular applicant’s payment type, account state, credit award or refund timing. Google’s Postpay refund rule applies to unused prepayment at account closure; it is not an immediate reversal promise. Older catalogue entries retain their dated checks.

Official sources: Start tier · startup onboarding · payment methods · India UPI · billing-account setup · status check.