Google for Startups Cloud Program — Start Tier
Offers early-stage startup support with Google Cloud credits for infrastructure before institutional fundraising.
The Google for Startups Cloud Program — Start tier is Google Cloud's entry-level credit package designed for pre-funded technology startups that have not yet received institutional equity financing. Eligible companies receive up to $2,000 in Google Cloud Platform usage credits valid for one year, alongside $200 in Cloud Skills Boost training credits for online courses and hands-on labs, 12 months of free Google Workspace Business Plus for new signups, and free usage of up to $3,250 distributed across Google Maps Platform products. All benefits are in-kind cloud and software credits; no cash is disbursed. The Start tier also grants access to the global Google Cloud Startup Community and AI webinars, as well as entry points to Google Cloud events at global Web3 conferences including Paris Blockchain Week, Consensus, and TOKEN2049 Singapore.
Eligibility requirements are that the applicant must be a technology startup, must not yet have received equity funding from an institutional investor, must have been founded within the last five years, and must not have previously received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at cloud.google.com/startup/apply and are reviewed at Google Cloud's discretion. Excluded categories include companies that have IPO'd or been acquired, educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, personal blogs, content creators, dev shops, consultancies, agencies, cryptocurrency mining operations, and companies distributing tokens contrary to regulatory guidance.
The Start tier is positioned as a development-stage benefit for founders building a minimum viable product before seeking outside investment. Startups that subsequently secure institutional equity funding (including SAFE agreements and qualifying Web3 funding) and meet Scale tier requirements can apply for the Scale tier package, which provides up to $200,000 in credits over two years. The program is global, with no geographic restriction on applicants.
Google Cloud usage credits of $2,000 plus training and Workspace benefits for pre-funded tech startups under five years old that have not yet raised institutional equity.
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