Guide · October 2026

Google for Startups Cloud: Credits and Tiers

Google for Startups Cloud Program tiers, credit amounts, eligibility, and perks, taken from Google Cloud’s official benefits page.

What the program is

The Google for Startups Cloud Program provides resources to startups at all stages of development: financial, business, technical, and community support, including Google Cloud credits and special offers to help startups build products and infrastructure. Eligible startups are matched with the tier and benefits that best suit their stage. All figures below come from Google Cloud’s official eligibility and benefits page, checked October 2026. Google notes the offer is subject to change without notification.

Related listings in our directory: Google Gemini and Vertex AI.

The two tiers

Start tier. For digital-native startups with a working MVP, a clear business model, and plans to seek venture funding soon. Benefits: up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year; $200 in Google Skills credits for training; Google Workspace Business Plus free for 12 months for new signups; access to AI webinars and content.

Scale tier. For VC-funded startups ready to grow and scale. Benefits: up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, or up to $350,000 for AI startups. Year 1 covers 100% up to $100,000 ($250,000 for AI-first startups); Year 2 adds 20% up to an additional $100,000. Scale also includes $500 in Google Skills credits, $600 monthly credits in Google Maps Platform usage (separate application required), up to $12,000 in Google Cloud Enhanced Support credits for one year with one-hour response times for critical issues, and access to a dedicated Startup Success Manager and Google Cloud Startup Customer Engineers.

Who is eligible

Start tier applicants should be technology startups planning to seek venture funding soon, founded within the last 24 months, not yet in receipt of Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial, and able to demonstrate a well-defined product roadmap and a clear vision for market disruption. Scale tier is designed for startups that raised Pre-Seed or Seed rounds within the last 5 years and Series A rounds within the last 12 months, founded within the last five years, and not yet in receipt of more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits. Operating in stealth is supported upon verification of funding.

Google states it cannot accept companies that have IPO’d or been acquired, educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, personal blogs or content, dev shops, consultancies, or agencies, cryptocurrency mining companies, or companies distributing tokens contrary to regulatory guidance in their jurisdiction.

What the credits cover — and what they do not

Program credits cover Google Cloud Platform services and select Google Cloud offerings, including Google’s state-of-the-art models like Gemini and Gemma. Third-party models are billed directly and are not covered by the program credits. Credits cannot be applied to third-party services or offerings on Google Cloud Marketplace. If your stack depends on a third-party model, budget for it separately.

Official source: Startups program eligibility and benefits — Google Cloud. Always confirm current terms there before applying.

Frequently asked questions

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