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Program

AWS Startup Loft and office hours

#support#events

Free office hours and events with AWS solutions architects, in person at Lofts and online. Good for cutting costs before credits run out.

AWS Startup Loft and office hours is for founders who want free help from AWS experts. Free expert sessions.

Benefit
Free architecture advice
Credits
Sometimes at events
Format
In person and online

At a glance

Decision time
Immediate (self-registration). Entry may be limited when at capacity.
Access
Open application
Official application page

01 · Overview

A good fit if you are

  • Early teams with architecture questions
  • Founders planning to reduce their bill

Not for

  • Anyone expecting guaranteed credits

Timeline and terms

Application window
Open. Register (AWS Builder ID, member profile, linked AWS account) and show your logged-in AWS console at entry. Gen AI Lofts are event registrations during each pop-up's run (up to about 12 weeks).
Decision time
Immediate (self-registration). Entry may be limited when at capacity.
Program length
Ongoing (permanent lofts). Gen AI Loft pop-ups run up to about 12 weeks each (2024 tour).
Where
Physical locations only: Dublin (Charlemont St), Tokyo (pop-up format from 2026-04-22), San Francisco Gen AI Loft (525 Market St), plus rotating Gen AI Loft pop-ups (2024 tour: Bengaluru, San Francisco, São Paulo, London, Paris; 2025 included Dublin)

None. Lofts offer space, Ask-an-Expert sessions, events and workshops. Loft pages point to AWS Activate (the Dublin page still says 'up to USD 100,000 in AWS Activate credits', which is outdated; Activate Portfolio is now up to USD 200K).

What changed recently

  1. 2026-04-22

    The permanent AWS Startup Loft Tokyo (Meguro Central Square) closed because of AWS's office move to Azabudai Hills. It will relaunch as a pop-up format. Source

  2. 2024-12-18 to 2025-05-29 (between Wayback snapshots)

    Startup Loft Dublin disappeared from the AWS Startups Programs page; only Tokyo was listed. Dublin is listed again as of 2026-10-04. Source

  3. 2024-07 (tour began 2024-07-29 in Bengaluru)

    AWS launched the GenAI Loft global pop-up tour: Bengaluru, San Francisco, São Paulo, London, Paris, each up to 12 weeks. Source

02 · Eligibility

Hard eligibility rules

You must

  • Active AWS account (shown at entry via the console)
  • Photo ID at entry (Tokyo)
  • Prior registration: AWS Builder ID, member profile, AWS account link (Tokyo)

Excluded

  • People without an active AWS account (co-working)

Have this ready before you apply

  • AWS Builder ID
  • Loft member profile
  • Active AWS account linked to the profile and shown at entry
  • Photo ID (Tokyo)

03 · How to apply

How to apply

  1. 1

    Find a Loft or online session.

  2. 2

    Book office hours.

  3. 3

    Bring your architecture and bill.

What catches founders out

  • Credits at events are occasional, not promised.

What founders report Show

Summarised from public founder posts. Anecdotal, not official AWS policy.

Gotchas

  • Founders and AWS staff describe lofts as a way into the AWS ecosystem without an accelerator, but say this doesn't mean credits by default
  • One commenter recalled the SF Startup Loft closing, alongside other big-company startup perks shrinking
  • A 2021 user valued in-person AWS support at the NYC loft

04 · Credits & stacking

Stacking with other credits

Can combine with

  • AWS Activate (lofts promote Activate; credits come through Activate)

05 · Alternatives

If this isn't the right program

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

Is it free?

Yes, sessions are free for startups.

Prices and credit amounts are estimates and may change. Check AWS for current terms.

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