What is AWS Activate?
AWS Activate is a program designed to provide startups with the resources needed to get started quickly and easily on AWS. Resources may include AWS Promotional Credit, promotional offers for AWS Training and AWS Support, Startup Forums, and other special promotional offers from select third-party companies that can provide valuable tools to startups. Learn more at aws.amazon.com/activate.
What if I’ve already received AWS Promotional Credit, or other benefits of AWS Activate?
If you previously received AWS benefits based on your affiliation with an accelerator or Seed/VC Fund and you are now affiliated with a different accelerator or Seed/VC Fund organization, you may be able to apply for additional AWS Activate benefits. Please communicate with your contact at your accelerator or Seed/VC Fund for more information and if they have questions they can contact the Activate team at aws-activate@amazon.com.
I am currently in an accelerator or am backed by a Seed/VC Fund, but I don’t see them listed in your Portfolio section. Am I eligible for the Portfolio Package?
The accelerators and Seed/VC Funds listed on our website may not be a comprehensive list of all the organizations we work with. Please communicate with your contact at your accelerator or Seed/VC Fund for more information and if they have questions they can contact our team at aws-activate@amazon.com.
Does AWS Activate restart my Free Tier time period?
No. The AWS Free Tier is designed to enable you to get hands-on experience with AWS at no charge for 12 months after you sign up for your AWS account, and is subject to the offer terms at aws.amazon.com/free/terms. Even if you have already exhausted your AWS Free Tier benefits, you are still eligible for other benefits of the AWS Activate Self-Starter Package, including AWS Training, AWS Business Support trial, the Startup Forum, and special offers from third-party companies.
Who can apply for a Portfolio Package? How do I sign up?
Any startup that works with select accelerators, Seed/VC Funds, or other startup organizations may apply for the Portfolio Packages. Please communicate with your contact at your accelerator or Seed/VC fund for more information. Note that if you are not supported by an eligible accelerator, Seed/VC Fund or startup organization, you can still sign up for the Self-Starter Package. You can also encourage your accelerator or Seed/VC Fund to become a part of AWS Activate.
Do I need to be an AWS customer to join AWS Activate?
Yes. In order to receive the benefits of AWS Activate, you must have an AWS account and include your AWS Account ID in the application form. This AWS account will be credited directly if your application is approved. You can create an AWS account for free at aws.amazon.com or find your existing AWS Account ID here portal.aws.amazon.com/gp/aws/manageYourAccount.
Who can post to the Startup Forum?
The purpose of the Startup Forum is to create a place for startups in AWS Activate to help each other. It is an open forum - anyone can read the forum. To post to the forum, you must first create a forum account here.
Why a structured package? Why is AWS doing this?
Startups have told us that they’d like support to help them iterate and build their companies. We developed AWS Activate to help deliver benefits in the common areas startups have requested support. We may add to these benefits over time.
Are there specific tiers within the Portfolio Package? What do they get?
There are no set tiers in Portfolio Packages. Specific benefits under a Portfolio packages will vary by region and based on other factors. Please check with the program director of your accelerator, Seed/VC Fund, or startup organization for more information about the specific AWS Activate Portfolio Packages that may be available to you.
What do I get with AWS Support that is part of my package?
You may receive AWS Support trial based on the level specified in your package.
How do I redeem the training courses that are provided in my package?
After being accepted into the AWS Activate program, you will receive instructions in a confirmation email about how to access any trainings offered as part of the program. If you did not receive an onboarding email, please visit aws.amazon.com/activate/members/.
As an accelerator or Seed/VC Fund associated with AWS Activate, can I use the AWS logo on my website? Can I mention AWS as the technology sponsor for my accelerator?
No. AWS is not a sponsor of any accelerator, Seed/VC Fund, or other startup organization. Rather, AWS may make available an AWS Activate Portfolio Packages to members of select accelerators, Seed/VC Funds, or other startup organizations. Any use of AWS logos or marks must be approved in advance by us in writing. Please talk to your AWS contact for more information.
My company is an ISV software company. How can we participate in the special offers to distribute products to AWS Activate members?
First, you must be a registered Technology Partner member of the AWS Partner Network (APN). Second, contact us to indicate that you are interested in providing special offers to AWS Activate members. We will periodically review submissions and may add additional third-party offers.
