Google for Startups Cloud Program — Start Tier

Google for Startups Cloud Program's Start tier sits at the entry point of Google Cloud's startup support line for US startups. It is designed for pre-funded technology startups and gives them a small package of cloud and productivity support rather than cash. The benefit set includes $2,000 in Google Cloud usage credits, $200 in Cloud Skills Boost training credits, free Google Workspace Business Plus for 12 months, and up to $3,250 in Google Maps Platform usage. Eligibility is narrow: the company must be for-profit, under five years old, and have no prior institutional equity financing. The program is rolling and limited to in-kind support. The record also excludes crypto mining, non-compliant token distribution, dev shops, consultancies, content creators, and personal blogs, and it bars companies that have already received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial. The best fit is a young team still proving product-market fit and building an MVP on Google infrastructure. Founders tend to get the most value when they need a low-cost way to test, deploy, and learn fast, especially if they can use the training and workspace bundle alongside the credits. The route is straightforward, but the profile needs to stay close to software product development rather than services work.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.