Google for Startups Cloud Program
Quick answer
Start tier at $2,000 (unfunded startups qualify); Scale tier up to $200,000 over two years; AI-first companies up to $350,000; plus 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus.
What you get
- Scale tier: year 1 covers 100% of costs up to $100,000, year 2 covers 20% up to an additional $100,000 (AI-first: up to $250,000 in year 1)
- GPU/TPU resources and access to Vertex AI and Gemini
- 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus free (new sign-ups)
- $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits, a dedicated Startup Success Manager, and $600/month in Maps Platform credits (separate application required)
How the value is counted: Start $2,000 / Scale $200,000 / AI-first $350,000, paid out over two years.
Do you qualify?
Start: founded within the past 24 months, with an MVP, a roadmap, and plans to raise funding; Scale: founded within the past 5 years, pre-seed/seed completed within the past 5 years or Series A within the past 12 months, requires institutional equity funding (SAFEs accepted; angel, crowdfunding, and government grants do not count), and historical GCP credits of $5,000 or less.
Likely yes, if…
- Bootstrapped teams (no VC required)
- Companies without a VC or partner referral
- Companies founded within ~5 years
Likely no, if…
- No hard blockers listed. Check the official page.
How to apply
- Open the official program page Google Cloud startup program .
- The application email domain must match the domains of your website and billing account.
- Submit the application. Review typically takes Most within a few business days; manual review can take more than 10 days..
- Once approved, credits or seats are granted to your account per the terms below.
Catches worth knowing
FAQ
How much can you get from Google for Startups Cloud Program?
Start $2,000 / Scale $200,000 / AI-first $350,000, paid out over two years.
Who qualifies for Google for Startups Cloud Program?
Start: founded within the past 24 months, with an MVP, a roadmap, and plans to raise funding; Scale: founded within the past 5 years, pre-seed/seed completed within the past 5 years or Series A within the past 12 months, requires institutional equity funding (SAFEs accepted; angel, crowdfunding, and government grants do not count), and historical GCP credits of $5,000 or less.
How long do the credits or perks last?
Start tier lasts 12 months; Scale tier credits last 24 months.
How long does the application review take?
Most within a few business days; manual review can take more than 10 days.
What do you need to apply?
The application email domain must match the domains of your website and billing account.