What are the program tiers?

The program has two tiers: Start ($2,000 in credits) for startups founded in the past 24 months with a working MVP, and Scale ($200,000 to $350,000 in credits) for VC-funded startups with Pre-Seed to Series A funding.

Can I apply if my startup is in stealth mode?

Stealth startups are supported if they have verifiable funding. Unfunded stealth startups should wait until their product launches and a working website is available.

What email should I use to apply?

Use a business email that matches your startup website domain. If needed, create a matching email with Google Workspace or Google Cloud Identity.

How long does it take to get a response?

Most applications receive a response within 5-7 days. Applications with missing information may take 10 days or more.

Can credits be used for Google Workspace or Google Maps?

No. Program credits apply only to Google Cloud Platform services billed on a pay-as-you-go basis. Google Workspace and Google Maps benefits are issued separately.

Can I reapply if I participated before but didn’t use credits?

Yes, if you meet current eligibility requirements and did not use previous credits. Program qualifications change annually, so re-enrollment is not guaranteed.

Founder guide

How much Google Cloud credit startups can get and how to apply

Google for Startups Cloud Program provides Google Cloud credits to eligible startups. AI startups can receive up to $350,000 USD over two years, while other startups can get up to $200,000 USD. The program has two main tiers: Start and Scale.

Last checked 18 October 2026 against 4 official pages · 5 min read

$2,000
Start tier credits: $350,000
Max credits for AI startups: 24 months
Founded limit for Start tier: 5 years
Founded limit for Scale tier

What the program offers

The Google for Startups Cloud Program provides Google Cloud credits, training, and Google-wide perks to eligible startups. Credits can be used for Google Cloud Platform services and select Google Cloud offerings, including state-of-the-art models like Gemini and Gemma.

The program has two tiers: Start and Scale. Each tier targets startups at different stages of growth and funding.

Start tier eligibility and benefits

The Start tier is for digital-native startups with a working MVP, a clear business model, and plans to seek venture funding soon.

Founded within the last 24 months. Not yet received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial. Must demonstrate a well-defined product roadmap and a clear vision for market disruption.

Benefits: Up to $2,000 USD in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year.

Scale tier eligibility and benefits

The Scale tier is for VC-funded startups ready to grow and scale. This tier offers significantly higher credits and additional perks.

Founded within the last five years. Raised Pre-Seed/Seed rounds within the last 5 years or Series A rounds within the last 12 months. Operating in Stealth is supported upon verification of funding. Not yet received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits.

Up to $200,000 USD in Google Cloud credits over two years. For AI-first startups: up to $350,000 USD in Google Cloud credits over two years. Year 1: 100% up to $100,000 USD (or $250,000 USD for AI startups). Year 2: 20% up to an additional $100,000 USD.

$200 or $500 in Google Skills credits for technical training. Google Workspace Business Plus free for 12 months for new signups. $600 monthly credits in Google Maps Platform usage (separate application required). Up to $12,000 USD in Google Cloud Enhanced Support credits for one year. Access to a dedicated Startup Success Manager and Google Cloud Startup Customer Engineers.

Ai and web3 benefits

The program also offers up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits for AI-first startups.

Web3 startups can get preferred access to partner benefits and discounts through the Web3 Perks program, including offers from Quicknode, TRM, Allium, and more.

Exclusive perks for scale tier members

Scale tier members have access to exclusive perks from Google Cloud partners. These perks include free or discounted access to tools and services from Datadog, ElevenLabs, GitLab, Arize, Baseten, Cartesia, DuploCloud, NVIDIA, OpenRouter, Roboflow, Render, Allium, Cobo, Quicknode, and others.

Perks marked with a star (★) are exclusive to Scale Tier members. To redeem these perks, Scale tier members must complete a form and receive redemption instructions from the Startup Support team.

Free Datadog Pro for 1 year (up to $100k in credits)
33M free credits from ElevenLabs for 12 months
Free GitLab Ultimate for one year (up to 20 licenses)
30% off Arize AX Enterprise Plan
Up to $100K in Render Infrastructure Credits
Up to $100K for Aiven Platform + support
Up to $100K OpenSearch credits + $30K General Credits
$5K for ClickHouse Cloud Credits
Up to $25K in free Redis cloud, AI consult, and more

Who does not qualify

The program does not accept companies that have IPO’d or been acquired, educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, personal blogs or content, dev shops, consultancies or agencies, cryptocurrency mining companies, or companies distributing tokens contrary to regulatory guidance in their jurisdiction.

Acceptance into the program is at the discretion of Google Cloud and may also be determined by company age, stage, past or present Google Cloud credit usage, and type of funding.

How google cloud decides credit amounts

Google Cloud assesses startups based on funding stage, funding type, business model, founder experience, and product usage. Additional factors include company vertical, age, and growth trajectory.

Non-venture funding such as private equity, bank loans, government grants, crowdfunding, or friends and family funding does not qualify for the Scale tier but may be evaluated for other tiers.

Step by step

1
How to apply
Go to the Google for Startups Cloud Program application page. Fill out the application form with your startup details, including your billing account ID, business email, and active business website. Ensure your email domain matches your startup website domain. Submit the form and wait for a response, which typically takes 5-7 days.
2
What to do if your application is rejected
If rejected, review the response email for next steps. Some rejections may require fixing account settings or identity records. Others may redirect you to other Google Cloud programs like the $300 Free Trial or AI Studio. If rejected due to funding thresholds, reapply in the future as you grow.
3
How to redeem exclusive perks
Scale tier members must complete a form to request exclusive perks. A member of the Startup Support team will send redemption instructions. For AI model credits (e.g., Anthropic, Mistral), contact your Google Cloud Account Executive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the program tiers?: The program has two tiers: Start ($2,000 in credits) for startups founded in the past 24 months with a working MVP, and Scale ($200,000 to $350,000 in credits) for VC-funded startups with Pre-Seed to Series A funding.
Can I apply if my startup is in stealth mode?: Stealth startups are supported if they have verifiable funding. Unfunded stealth startups should wait until their product launches and a working website is available.
What email should I use to apply?: Use a business email that matches your startup website domain. If needed, create a matching email with Google Workspace or Google Cloud Identity.
How long does it take to get a response?: Most applications receive a response within 5-7 days. Applications with missing information may take 10 days or more.
Can credits be used for Google Workspace or Google Maps?: No. Program credits apply only to Google Cloud Platform services billed on a pay-as-you-go basis. Google Workspace and Google Maps benefits are issued separately.
Can I reapply if I participated before but didn’t use credits?: Yes, if you meet current eligibility requirements and did not use previous credits. Program qualifications change annually, so re-enrollment is not guaranteed.

Official sources

Rules and amounts change. Check these before you apply.

Startups program eligibility and benefits | Google Cloud — cloud.google.com
Startup Perks | Google Cloud — cloud.google.com
Startups | Google Cloud — cloud.google.com
Google Cloud Modernize | Google Cloud — cloud.google.com

How this guide was made: StartupReader wrote it with AI from the official pages above, read on 18 October 2026. Every figure and name in it was checked automatically against those pages, and anything they don't support was left out. It's re-checked every month. It isn't affiliated with the program. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.