Program
AWS Global Startup Program
Invite-only help for funded B2B startups: a partner manager, co-selling with AWS and Marketplace support. Credits can come with it, but it's mainly about sales.
AWS Global Startup Program is for funded B2B startups selling to enterprises. Go-to-market help, credits may apply.
- Benefit
- Partner manager, co-sell
- Stage
- Funded, Series A+
- Access
- Invitation or referral
At a glance
- Credits
- MDF (cash or credits) to offset marketing campaign and content costs. Amounts aren't published.
- Credits last
- Developer-tools credits last 1 year (official page). Other credit types: not published.
- Access
- Invite only
01 · Overview
A good fit if you are
- B2B startups with enterprise customers
- Teams listing on AWS Marketplace
Not for
- Pre-revenue startups
- Consumer products
Timeline and terms
- Application window
- Rolling. Once you meet the requirements, your PDM submits a nomination. Help: startuppartners@amazon.com.
- Credit validity
- Developer-tools credits last 1 year (official page). Other credit types: not published.
- Cash
- MDF (cash or credits) to offset marketing campaign and content costs. Amounts aren't published.
- Where
- Global
No published credit amount. Benefits named: 'one year of credits for AWS developer tools', 'end customer credits' to speed AWS Marketplace wins, Marketing Development Funds (MDF), and (per an APN blog) AWS Innovation Sandbox credits and POC co-funding 'based on cash and credit eligibility/availability'.
What changed recently
2026-09-12 to 2026-10-04 (between Wayback snapshot and live page)
Page rewritten. The old 6 steps (Software Path, 10 ACE opportunities in 12 months, 2 public references, FTR, Marketplace listing, ISV Accelerate, then email to apply) were replaced by: Series A minimum, executive alignment, a partnerships leader, 'Deployed on AWS' badge, 2+ Marketplace Private Offers in the trailing 12 months, ISV Accelerate, and a PDM nomination. New named benefits: 1-year developer-tools credits, end-customer credits, Partner recommendation engines. Source
2025-11 (reported)
At the AWS Global Startup Partner Summit, AWS announced enhanced marketing benefits, access to the latest AWS technology, funding for complex GenAI solutions featured in AWS Marketplace, and AI-powered Marketplace features. Source is a LinkedIn post by an AWS employee quoting the announcement, not an AWS page. Source
02 · Eligibility
Hard eligibility rules
You must
- Joined the AWS Partner Network through AWS Partner Central
- Raised at least a Series A
- Executive alignment across product, marketing and sales
- A dedicated AWS Alliance Lead and/or Partnerships Leader
- At least one product with the 'Deployed on AWS' badge
- At least two AWS Marketplace Private Offer transactions in the trailing twelve months
- Enrolled in the ISV Accelerate Program
- Nomination submitted by your AWS PDM
Excluded
- Pre-Series A startups
- Non-software companies (the programme targets software startups)
- Startups not yet transacting via AWS Marketplace private offers
Have this ready before you apply
- AWS Partner Central account
- Proof of Series A+ funding
- Named alliance or partnerships lead
- 'Deployed on AWS' badge (Foundational Technical Review)
- Record of 2+ AWS Marketplace Private Offers in the last 12 months
- ISV Accelerate enrolment
- PDM nomination
03 · How to apply
How to apply
- 1
Build on AWS and join the Partner Network.
- 2
Ask your account manager for a referral.
- 3
Agree a joint sales plan.
What catches founders out
- You can't apply openly.
- Credits are not guaranteed.
What founders report Show
Summarised from public founder posts. Anecdotal, not official AWS policy.
Gotchas
- A commenter stressed that GSP is a partnership and co-sell programme for scaled VC-backed startups, and that Activate credits are separate and come from a different org
04 · Credits & stacking
What the credits cover
Covered
- AWS developer tools (1-year credits)
- AWS Marketplace deal acceleration via end-customer credits
- Marketing (MDF) and co-sell support
Not covered
- Amazon Mechanical Turk
- AWS Managed Services
- Ineligible AWS Support (Enterprise, Unified Operations, Enterprise On-Ramp, resold support, Partner-Led Support)
- AWS Marketplace
- AWS Professional Services
- AWS Training
- AWS Certification
- Amazon Route 53 domain name registration or transfer
- Services used for cryptocurrency mining
- Upfront fees for Savings Plans and Reserved Instances
- Any other services designated by your AWS contracting entity
Stacking with other credits
Can combine with
- ISV Accelerate (a prerequisite)
- AWS Activate (separate; Activate credits come from a different team)
- APN funding programmes
05 · Alternatives
If this isn't the right program
- AWS Activate Portfolio
Up to $200,000 through an accelerator, angel or VC.
- AWS ISV Accelerate
Open co-sell programme for software vendors.
Sources
Checked October 2026. AWS can change amounts and rules at any time.
Facts on this page checked against official sources on 2026-10-04.
Questions
How do I get invited?
Usually through your AWS account manager.
Prices and credit amounts are estimates and may change. Check AWS for current terms.