Startup Deal Overview
Verified Startup DealGoogle Cloud Startup Program: Up to $350K Cloud Credits
The Google for Startups Cloud Program helps technology startups build and scale with Google Cloud infrastructure, AI, data, Firebase and related services. Google assigns eligible applicants to a tier based on company stage and funding status.
Start members also receive free-tier Google AI Studio access, $200 in Google Skills credits, 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus for eligible new signups, and access to partner offers and perks. Program credits can cover qualifying Google Cloud services and Google's proprietary models, but third-party models are excluded.
Standard Scale startups receive up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits over 2 years. Qualifying AI-first startups can receive an additional $150,000, increasing the maximum benefit to $350,000. Google's detailed program benefits specify Year 1 coverage of 100% up to $100,000 for standard Scale startups, or up to $250,000 for qualifying AI-first startups, followed by Year 2 coverage of 20% up to an additional $100,000.
Scale also includes $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits for one year, $500 in Google Skills credits, 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus for qualifying new signups, $600 per month in Google Maps Platform credits for one year through a separate application, dedicated business/startup support, and additional partner perks.
Google Cloud credits cannot be applied to third-party services or offerings, including third-party products on Google Cloud Marketplace. Third-party AI models are also billed separately. Google Workspace and Maps benefits are separate program benefits rather than uses of the core Cloud-credit balance.
How to Claim this Deal
- 1Create or access your Google Cloud account and obtain the required 18-character Google Cloud billing account ID.
- 2Apply using a business email matching your startup 's public website domain.
- 3Make sure the website domain, application email domain and email domain associated with the billing account align; Google states this is required for credit approval.
- 4Scale applicants should provide links to publicly available evidence of qualifying equity investment. Stealth startups can work with their investor to verify funding.
- 5Submit the Google for Startups Cloud Program application and wait for Google's eligibility review.
- 6Google says decisions normally arrive within a few business days, although applications requiring additional manual review can take 10 days or more.
- 7If accepted, credits are deposited into the qualifying Google Cloud billing account.
Key Benefits
- Credit / Grant Tier: $2,000 / 12 months for Start; up to $200,000 / 2 years for standard Scale; up to $350,000 / 2 years for qualifying AI-first Scale startups.
- AI Credit Tier: Qualifying AI-first startups can receive up to $250,000 at 100% coverage in Year 1, followed by 20% coverage up to another $100,000 in Year 2. Google defines AI-first as having AI embedded in the startup's foundational structure and strategy rather than merely using AI as a productivity add-on.
- Included Features: Qualifying Google Cloud services and Google's proprietary models are covered; the FAQ specifically identifies services such as BigQuery and Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. Third-party models/services are excluded.
- Support & Training: Scale includes up to $12,000 Enhanced Support credits for one year and $500 Google Skills credits; Start includes $200 in Google Skills credits.
- Google-wide Benefits: Scale includes qualifying access to 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus and $600/month Google Maps Platform credits for one year, with a separate Maps application required.
- Partner Perks: The Startup Perks ecosystem includes discounts and credits from external technology companies. Some offers marked ★ are specifically restricted to Scale tier members. Current examples include Datadog, ElevenLabs, Fireworks AI, OpenRouter, Render and other providers.
Eligibility & Requirements
| Requirements | • No credit card required
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About Google
Google Cloud is Google's cloud computing platform for building and running applications, websites, databases, analytics and AI workloads. Startups can use services such as Compute Engine, Cloud Run, Cloud Storage, BigQuery and Google Kubernetes Engine. Its AI stack provides access to Google's Gemini models, AI infrastructure, GPUs and TPUs. Google also provides developer training, technical architectures, startup programs and business resources to help companies scale.
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