Today's business environment makes a double-edged weapon for startups. On the one hand, there are technological advancements, the proliferation of tools making it easier to reach global markets, better funding opportunities, and supportive communities. On the other — intensified competition, higher global standards, and unfavorable economic factors. Navigating this complex landscape can be tough, so little wonder startups are constantly seeking ways to scale their operations without incurring significant costs. To address these challenges, Google has developed a program that supports startups by offering Google Cloud credits, enabling them to leverage advanced cloud services and tools to innovate and grow their businesses more efficiently.
From this article, you will learn what exactly are Google Cloud credits and how to get them. You will also find a handful of tips for your startup on how to use them properly.
What are Google Cloud credits for startups?
Google Cloud credits are financial resources provided by Google to help startups access and use services available on Google Cloud Platform. They include a wide range of tools falling into categories such as application modernization, data analytics, databases, networking, security, and AI/ML. Thanks to them, startups can build, test, and deploy their applications and services on Google Cloud without the immediate burden of paying for the resources they use.
The value of Google Cloud credits can vary depending on the stage of the startup and the specific program they apply through. Startups can receive up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits. Even more, up to $350,000, if they are AI startups. This substantial support can significantly reduce operational costs and allow focusing more on building the product and scaling.
Eligibility and application process
In order to match the startup's stage of development with the appropriate level of credits, resources, support, and benefits that a startup can access as it grows and evolves, Google identified two tiers: the Start tier and the Scale tier.
For the Start tier, eligibility is geared toward early-stage startups under five years old that have not yet received Google Cloud credits beyond the free trial and have not yet been founded by an institutional investor.
The Scale tier is designed for more established startups that have grown beyond the initial phase but are still scaling. To qualify, your startup should typically be under ten years old and have not yet obtained more than $5,000 Google Cloud credits. Receiving equity funding from pre-seed to series A from an institutional investor or common Web3 funding sources is acceptable in this case.
Tiers, in terms of credits, are presented as below*:
- Start tier – up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year
- Scale tier – Google Cloud and Firebase usage covered in:
- Year 1: 100% up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits
- Year 2: 20% up to an additional $100,000 in Google Cloud credits
The 20% discount from the Y2 Google for Startups program consists of customers receiving credits worth 20% of their previous month's usage, up to $100,000. This works like the following example:
- In January customers receive 20% of credits based on December usage;
- In February customers will receive 20% of credits based on January usage;
- In March customers will receive 20% of credits based on February usage, and so on and so forth until $100,000 is granted or the Y2 ends.
*The numbers are sourced from Google's website and are valid as of February 2025.
The application process is pretty straightforward: you'll need to apply through Google Cloud for Startups, providing details about your company and investment source. Note that you will need a GCP account and Billing ID, a publicly available company website, and a company email domain that matches the company website. Once submitted, Google’s team will review your application to determine eligibility, and if approved, you’ll receive credits to help accelerate your startup’s growth.
Best practices for startups, or what to do with your credits?
To ensure your startup maximizes the value of Google Cloud credits while fostering sustainable growth and innovation, learn some best practices we provide below:
- Define Business Objectives: Align your cloud usage with clear business goals, prioritizing the deployment of applications that drive growth.
- Monitor and Manage Costs: Utilize tools like the Cloud Console and Billing Reports to track spending, set budgets, and avoid unexpected cost overruns. Read more about optimization strategies, FinOps, in our article.
- Leverage Free and Low-Cost Services: Use Google’s free tier and low-cost offerings to handle non-critical workloads, conserving credits for essential projects.
- Optimize Cloud Architecture: Regularly evaluate and adjust your infrastructure to match actual needs, using autoscaling features to prevent over-provisioning.
- Invest in Education and Support: Take advantage of the partner’s technical support and training resources to enhance your team’s cloud skills, ensuring efficient use of credits.
- Plan for Future Costs: Anticipate the transition from credits to paid services by forecasting future cloud expenses and planning your budget accordingly.
- Implement Automation: Use automation tools to manage tasks like resource scaling and cost monitoring, reducing manual effort and optimizing resource usage.
- Engage with the Community: Participate in the Google Cloud startup community and forums to gain insights, share experiences, and stay updated on best practices.
Google for Startups Cloud Program: more than money
Google for Startups Cloud Program is, however, more than just money—it serves a complex ecosystem, which, deeply explored, can support startups in many directions. Apart from financial benefits, they can also benefit from:
- Technical Support and Training: Startups receive dedicated technical support from Google Cloud experts, who help optimize cloud usage, troubleshoot issues, and design scalable architectures. Additionally, startups have access to training programs and certifications, enabling their teams to develop essential cloud skills and stay up to date with the latest technologies.
- Mentorship and Advisory: The program connects startups with experienced mentors from Google’s network, offering valuable insights on business strategy, product development, and market growth.
- Networking Opportunities: Google for Startups Cloud Program facilitates networking through events, webinars, and meetups, where founders can connect with peers, investors, and industry experts. These opportunities help startups build relationships, gain exposure, and collaborate with others in the tech community.
- Go-to-Market Support: Startups can leverage Google’s marketing resources, including co-marketing opportunities, to increase visibility and credibility. Being featured in joint marketing campaigns or listed on the Google Cloud Marketplace can significantly boost a startup’s customer reach and sales potential.
- Access to Advanced Technology: Startups gain access to Google’s cutting-edge tools and APIs, such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics services, allowing them to innovate and differentiate their products. Additionally, Google Cloud’s global infrastructure provides the scalability needed to grow internationally, with support for multiple regions, languages, and currencies.
These benefits, combined with financial support through Google Cloud credits, offer a comprehensive package that empowers startups to scale their operations, innovate rapidly, and succeed in a competitive market.
Let’s get (c)loud: how to benefit from OChK x Google Cloud joint forces
In order to harness the full potential of cloud computing, startups do not have to reach Google on their own. There are plenty of companies with an established partnership, who can not only help them apply for and obtain valuable Google Cloud credits, but also offer additional support in a variety of areas.
The example of such a partnership is Let’s get (c)loud program—a joint initiative by OChK and Google Cloud directed to those who want to scale up by using cloud infrastructure. By being the part of the program, you can:
- get additional credits from OChK’s own bucket
- get the best financial and commercial conditions
- gain additional funds for specialized migration and PoC projects
- benefit from expert advice on the best Google Cloud practices and services
- learn from individual cloud consultations with experienced IT teams
- offer your solution to Google’s global client base
- make use of legal services at competitive prices if you operate in a regulated sector.
Although the program has been running for 3 years, more than 200 startups across industries have relied on it to support their innovative projects such as cognitive automation solutions and productivity tools, an AI-based HR platform to assess marketing and sales skills, and an e-commerce product data management app. We also guide some of the organizations through further stages of the digitization path, providing technological support on issues such as data migration or product deployment on Google Cloud Marketplace to facilitate international expansion.
By working with OChK and Google Cloud, startups can access the tools and support they need to grow. Whether you're looking to get cloud credits, improve your cloud setup, or use advanced technologies, we're here to help. Find out more about the program and its benefits here.
