Google for Startups Cloud Program 🎁 Program

What you get

Google Cloud runs two tiers:

• Start tier for digital-native startups with a working MVP that plan to raise venture funding soon: up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year, $200 in Google Skills training credits and Google Workspace Business Plus free for 12 months for new sign-ups.
• Scale tier for VC-funded startups: up to $200,000 over two years (year 1: 100% of usage up to $100,000; year 2: 20% of usage up to another $100,000). AI-first startups can get up to $350,000, with year-one coverage up to $250,000. Scale also includes $500 in Skills credits, up to $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits for a year, $600 a month in Google Maps Platform credits (separate application) and a startup success manager.

Who qualifies

• Start: a technology startup planning to raise venture funding, founded within the last 24 months, not yet given Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial.
• Scale: raised pre-seed or seed within the last 5 years, or Series A within the last 12 months; founded within the last five years; not yet received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits. Stealth startups are accepted once funding is verified.

Google says it may not accept companies that have IPO'd or been acquired, nonprofits, dev shops, consultancies, agencies, crypto miners or personal blogs.

Good to know

• Your business email must match your public website domain, and you need your 18-character Cloud billing account ID.
• Angel, crowdfunding, friends-and-family, private equity or grant funding does not qualify you for Scale; you may be considered for Start instead.
• Credits do not cover third-party models or Marketplace products.
• Year 2 of Scale only covers 20% of usage, so model your costs.

Verdict

One of the largest open programs, and no partner code is needed. The Start tier is small; the Scale tier is where the value is once you have institutional money.

1. Create a Google Cloud account and note your 18-character billing account ID.
2. Make sure your application email uses the same domain as your public website.
3. Apply on cloud.google.com/startup and pick the tier that matches your stage.
4. For Scale, add links to public sources that show your equity funding (stealth startups verify through their investor).
5. Expect a reply within a few business days; manual reviews can take 10 days or more.