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Google for Startups Cloud Program: Start, Scale and AI tiers explained

By the CreditBase team · · 3 min read

The three Google for Startups Cloud Program tiers, how many credits each gives, who qualifies, what the credits cannot be used for and how to apply.

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Google's startup program is built as a ladder. The bottom step is open to startups that have not raised money yet; the upper steps are for funded startups, and the biggest is for startups whose product is built on AI. This guide sets out what each step gives and what Google asks for.

The three tiers

According to Google's program pages:

  • Start tier: up to $2,000 in credits, valid for one year. It is meant for startups that have not yet raised venture funding.
  • Scale tier: up to $200,000 over two years. Google's one-pager describes the first year as covered by credits up to $100,000, and the second year as 20% of usage costs, up to a further $100,000 in credits.
  • AI tier: up to $350,000 over two years, on top of Scale. Year one covers 100% of eligible usage up to $250,000, including the Scale credits plus a further $150,000 for AI-tier startups. Year two covers 20% of usage, up to $100,000. The AI tier page also lists $12,000 in Enhanced Support credits for a year and 12 months of Google Workspace Business Plus for new sign-ups.

Third-party guides describe the tiers in different ways, so treat the numbers on Google's pages as the ones that count and confirm them when you apply.

Who qualifies for the AI tier

Google's AI page lists these conditions:

  1. You use or plan to use Gemini to deploy AI services as a foundation of your main product or solution.
  2. You have qualifying venture capital funding, from seed to Series A.
  3. Your company was founded within the last 10 years.
  4. You have not received more than $5,000 in Google Cloud credits before.
  5. Eligibility is at Google Cloud's discretion.

Some guides add that AI-tier startups reach it through a partner investor or accelerator. Google's page does not state this, so ask Google directly rather than assuming.

What the credits cannot be used for

Google's FAQ is explicit: the credits cannot be applied to third-party services or offerings, including those listed on Google Cloud Marketplace. Models from outside Google are billed directly and are not covered. If your product depends on a third-party model, count that cost separately.

How to apply

Apply from the program page at cloud.google.com/startup. For questions about eligibility, Google points founders to their Google Cloud account manager or to cloudstartupsupport@google.com.

Practical advice

  • Start with what you have. If you are unfunded, apply for the Start tier now and come back for Scale after your first round. Do not exhaust the Start credits' value on experiments you could run on the free trial.
  • Model the second year. Year two covers only 20% of usage on the Scale and AI tiers, so your bill steps up sharply when the first year ends.
  • Keep Firebase in mind. The program is described as covering Google Cloud and Firebase credits, which suits mobile and web products on Firebase.

Compare before you choose

Google, AWS and Microsoft all run programs for startups, and you can use more than one. See the AWS Activate guide, the Microsoft Founders Hub guide and the side-by-side comparison.

Sources

Common questions

How many Google Cloud credits can a startup get?

Google describes up to $2,000 for the Start tier, up to $200,000 over two years for the Scale tier, and up to $350,000 over two years for the AI tier, which sits on top of Scale for AI-first startups.

Can I use Google Cloud startup credits on third-party services?

No. Google's FAQ says the credits cannot be applied to third-party services or offerings, including those on Google Cloud Marketplace, and third-party models are billed directly.

Is the Google AI tier only for AI startups?

Yes. Google asks that you use or plan to use Gemini to deploy AI services as a foundation of your main product, with venture funding from seed to Series A, a company founded in the last 10 years and no more than $5,000 in earlier Google Cloud credits.

Values are “up to” amounts and terms change: confirm on the provider’s page before you rely on them. CreditBase is independent and not affiliated with the providers named here. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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