Google's program covers Google Cloud and Firebase usage for early-stage startups, plus technical support and Google-wide startup perks. It runs in two tiers: Start gives $2,000 of credit for one year, and Scale reaches up to $200,000 over two years. AI-first startups are funded differently again, up to $250,000 in year one plus up to $100,000 in year two through a 20% spend match. Beyond credit, membership also includes training credits, up to $12,000 of Enhanced Support, and $600 a month of Google Maps Platform credit.
- Potential value:
- $200k in credits
- Provider:
- Google Cloud
- Referral needed:
- No
Why this could be a strong fit
Best-in-class for AI/ML startups thanks to the $350K AI tier and access to DeepMind/Google Labs mentorship, with strong coverage of both early-scaling years.
What you need to qualify
- Start tier: founded within the last 24 months
- Start tier: not yet received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial
- Scale tier: founded within the last five years
- Scale tier: raised a Pre-Seed or Seed round within the last 5 years, or a Series A round within the last 12 months
- Scale tier: not yet received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits
- Qualifying investment types are equity investment vehicles from institutional investors and venture capital firms. SAFE agreements are eligible, and verifiable token raises and blockchain foundation grants are accepted for Web3 companies
- Private equity, government innovation grants, crowdfunding, angel and friends and family funding do not qualify a startup for the Scale tier, but it may be evaluated for the Start tier
- The business email in the application must match your startup's public website domain and the domain on your Google Cloud billing account
- Google Cloud may not accept companies that have IPO'd or been acquired, educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, personal blogs or content, dev shops, consultancies, agencies, cryptocurrency mining companies, or companies distributing tokens contrary to regulatory guidance in their jurisdiction
- AI tier inclusion requires being an AI-first startup, with AI built into the startup's foundational structure and strategy rather than as a productivity or bolt-on layer
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A+
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
- Max company age
- 60 months
How to apply
- 1
Create a Google Cloud account and get the billing ID
You need your 18-character Google Cloud billing account ID before you apply. It is created when you sign up as a new Google Cloud user; on an existing account, open the console, go to Billing, then Manage your billing account.
- 2
Set up a business email on your own domain
The business email you apply with must match your startup's public website domain and the email domain associated with the billing account. If you do not have one, create a matching business email account with Google Workspace first.
- 3
Submit the application
Apply at cloud.google.com/startup/apply. The form is behind a Google sign-in and auto-populates the billing account ID from the Google Cloud account tied to the business email you provide; if that is the wrong account, enter the billing ID manually.
- 4
Provide public evidence of your funding for the Scale tier
Give links to publicly available online sources detailing the equity investments made in your company. Google explicitly does not want pitch decks or funding documents, and stealth companies are told to work with their investor to verify funding.
- 5
Wait for the decision
In most cases you are informed within a few business days after submission. Applications requiring further manual review can take 10 days or more. If you are rejected, or reapplying after a previous participation, email your account manager or cloudstartupsupport@google.com.