Routes open in Singapore
| Route | Max credits | Who qualifies | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Activate Founders | $1,000 | Self-funded, no institutional funding, live website | Apply online in the Activate console |
| Activate via a Provider | Up to $100,000 | Backed by an accelerator, VC or incubator in the Activate network | Get an organization ID from your provider |
| AWS Lift | Up to $83,500 | SMBs spending under $750/month on AWS, never in Activate. Paid in 7 tranches over 12 months. Confirmed; dates not given. | Through AWS's local team |
| AWS Startup Ramp | Credits (amount not stated) | Startups under $10M revenue serving public-sector customers. Expanded 2021; current status unknown. | Through AWS's local team |
| Local accelerator or VC | Varies | Accepted into a local program | Apply to the program; credits follow |
| Our partner match | Same as AWS | Any stage; we suggest the best route | Use the credit check on this page |
Amounts are the maximums AWS advertises; approval is never guaranteed. Source: AWS Activate terms
Who qualifies from Singapore
- Your company is usually under 10 years old and hasn't had Activate credits before.
- You have a live company website, and you sign up with an email on that domain.
- For the $100,000 tier, you're backed by an Activate Provider and haven't raised a Series B yet.
- Company in Singapore: apply with it directly. Company abroad (for example a US Delaware company): apply with whichever entity owns the AWS account. No company yet: start with Founders once your website is live.
Region, latency and data rules
- Data protection law
- PDPA 2012
- Must data stay in-country?
- No general rule
- Regulator
- PDPC
What your credits buy here
A typical early-stage stack (a few small servers, a managed database, storage and traffic) costs about $600/month in ap-southeast-1, or about $654 with 9% GST paid in cash.
$1,000
1.7
months
$5,000
8.3
months
$25,000
42
months
$100,000
99
months
Estimates. Credits usually expire after 12 to 24 months, so large amounts rarely last their full length.
Startups like you
Startups from Singapore named in AWS program cohorts:
AWS accelerator cohorts · program maximum
Kompato AI
Amounts are the program's maximum, not what each company received.
Local accelerators
Accelerators, incubators and startup programs in Singapore worth asking about AWS credits.
Startup SG
Singapore · Government program
Ask the provider
Antler Singapore
Singapore · Pre-seed investor
Ask the provider
Entrepreneur First Singapore
Singapore · Talent investor
Ask the provider
Check with each program that it's a current Activate Provider before you rely on it.
Notable local investors and funds
Investors, accelerators and government funds active in Singapore. If one backs you, ask whether they can give you an Activate Provider code.
Grants, non-dilutive funding and R&D tax credits
Money you can stack on top of AWS credits in Singapore.
- Grant
Startup SG Founder
S$20k–50k matching grant (1:1) through accredited mentor partners [1] [2].
- Program
Startup SG Tech
Proof-of-concept and proof-of-value funding (check current caps on EnterpriseSG) [3].
- Tax incentive
Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS)
400% tax deduction on up to S$400k a year of qualifying R&D, IP and training spend. You can convert to cash for some items [4].
Setting up a local company
- Common startup entity
- Private company limited by shares (Pte. Ltd.)
- Minimum share capital
- Paid-in minimum capital required for a domestic LLC: No; for a foreign-owned LLC: No (World Bank B-READY 2025)
- Time and cost to register
- Domestic LLC: 1 days, SGD 315; foreign-owned LLC: 1 days, SGD 315 (B-READY 2025, expert median)
- Online registration
- Fully electronic registration: Yes (B-READY 2025)
Capital and registration figures are from the World Bank (Doing Business 2020 / B-READY 2025). Check the registry for current rules.
What's different in Singapore
- Billing entity
- Amazon Web Services Singapore Pte Ltd
- Currency
- SGD, USD
- Tax AWS adds
- 9% GST. Not covered by credits.
- Payments and verification
- Most international Visa and Mastercard cards work. Make sure foreign and online payments are switched on before you sign up.
Credits don't cover taxes. Source: AWS Promotional Credit terms
Paying the AWS bill from Singapore
- Use a card that allows international recurring payments, or a multi-currency business card.
- Enter your VAT or tax number in the AWS console so tax is handled correctly.
- Credits don't cover tax, so a small cash charge can appear even while credits last.
Startup scene
17
unicorns
Airwallex ($11B), HyalRoute ($3.5B), Sharpa ($3.3B), Sky Mavis ($3B), Moglix ($2.6B)
Startup sectors
Main economic sectors
Unicorn data: CB Insights, as of 2 October 2026. Sectors: CIA World Factbook.
Startup visa
EntrePass
Key requirements: At least 30% ownership of an ACRA company and one innovation criterion (e.g. S$100,000 from a recognised investor, incubator/accelerator support, IP, research link)
AWS events and community in Singapore
- AWS Summit Singapore: 6 May 2026, Sands Expo [12].
Sources for Singapore (12)
- 1. https://grants.sg/grants/startup-sg-founder
- 2. https://www.startupsg.gov.sg/
- 3. https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-support/startup-sg-tech
- 4. https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/enterprise-innovation-scheme-(eis)
- 5. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/global-infrastructure/latest/regions/aws-regions.html
- 6. https://aws.amazon.com/tax-help/singapore/
- 7. https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/accepted-payment-methods
- 8. https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/supported-aws-currencies
- 9. https://aws.amazon.com/tax-help/apac-vat-rates/
- 10. https://aws.amazon.com/awscredits/
- 11. https://www.pdpc.gov.sg/
- 12. https://aws.amazon.com/events/summits/
Research current as of 2 October 2026. Not legal or tax advice.
Questions
Is AWS Activate available in Singapore?
Yes. AWS takes sign-ups from Singapore, and the AWS Activate terms don't exclude it.
How much in AWS credits can a startup in Singapore get?
Self-funded teams usually start with $1,000 from Activate Founders. Teams backed by an Activate Provider can get up to $200,000.
Do I need a company registered in Singapore?
No. You can apply with a Singapore company, a company registered abroad (for example a US Delaware company), or as an early team with a live website. Use the entity that owns the AWS account.
Do AWS credits cover GST in Singapore?
No. Credits don't cover taxes, so any GST (9%) is charged to your card.
What's the closest AWS region to Singapore?
ap-southeast-1 in Singapore, inside the country. Typical latency is under 20 ms from the main cities.
Can I apply without an accelerator or VC?
Yes. Activate Founders is open to self-funded startups. A partner can also point you to other routes.
Will using a partner change how much I get?
No. The credits come from AWS on the same terms. A partner just helps you find the right route and prepare the application.
Find your best route from Singapore
Answer four questions and we'll match you with a partner who knows Singapore. Free, and the credits are the same as going direct.
Cloud Credits is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Amazon Web Services. AWS and AWS Activate are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Data last checked 2 October 2026; check AWS for current terms.