Free cloud and AI credits for Indian startups
Programmes that give startups credits for cloud hosting and AI tools. You do not repay them, though each has its own rules on who qualifies.
Checked on official pages, last on 4 November 2026. Founders Wing does not run these schemes or help with applications.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearAWS Activate Credits
Amazon Web Services
Up to $5,000 for self-funded startups (starts at $1,000). Up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider. $200,000+ for AI startups, invite only.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearCloudflare for Startups
Cloudflare
$10,000, $100,000 or $350,000 by tier, valid for one year.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearElevenLabs Startup Grants
ElevenLabs
12 months of free access with 33,000,000 characters, valued by ElevenLabs at more than $5,500.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearGoogle Cloud for Startups: Google for Startups Cloud Program
Google Cloud
Start tier up to $2,000 for one year. Scale tier up to $200,000 over two years, or up to $350,000 for AI startups.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearMicrosoft for Startups
Microsoft
Without a code: $200 to start, $5,000 after verification, then further milestones. With an investor code: $1,000 to start. Up to $150,000 at the top.
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearMongoDB for Startups
MongoDB
Amount varies, see the official page
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearNVIDIA Inception
NVIDIA
Amount varies, see the official page
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearVercel for Startups
Vercel
Up to $30,000 in Flexible Commitment Amount
Cloud and AI credits · Open to Indian startups
Open all yearZoho for Startups
Zoho
Amount varies, see the official page
A grant can help. Paying customers keep you going.
Founders Wing is India’s community for people building with AI: weekly live sessions, a private group, and people who help you reach paying customers.
Questions people ask
Is the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme still open?
No, not for new startups. The official portal gave 31 May 2026 as the last date for startups to apply. Money already approved is still being paid out, and we found no replacement scheme when we last checked.
Do I need DPIIT recognition to get a grant?
Many central and state schemes ask for it, but not all. Each page here lists that scheme's conditions, so check before you apply for recognition just for one scheme.
Can a SaaS or AI startup get a grant?
Yes, but fewer schemes suit it than the headlines suggest. Some are for deep tech or hardware, and NIDHI PRAYAS, for example, leaves out pure software and app projects. Start with our list for software startups.
What is the difference between a grant, a loan and a credit guarantee?
You are not expected to repay a grant if you meet its conditions. You repay a loan with interest. A credit guarantee is not money for you at all: it protects the bank, which may make the bank more willing to lend to you.
Should I pay an agent to get a government scheme?
Be careful with anyone who promises approval for a fee. Nobody outside the selection process can promise it. MUDRA, for example, says on its own site that it uses no agents.
How current is this list?
Each page shows the date we read the official source. Schemes change and close without much notice, so confirm the amount and dates on the official page before you apply.