DevOps

GCP Startup Credits Eligibility & Application Guide

What Is the Google Cloud for Startups Program?

Google Cloud for Startups is a global program by Google that gives free cloud credits, technical support and business tools to early stage and growth-stage startups. It allows founders to build, test and scale apps, platforms and AI tools on GCP without worrying about infrastructure costs.

Startups can get
Up to $200,000 in GCP credits over 2 years
Access to Google Cloud infrastructure, APIs, and AI tools (Vertex AI, BigQuery, Firebase, etc.)
Personalized support from Google Cloud engineers
Free or discounted access to partner tools like HubSpot, Stripe, GitHub and more

Who Is Eligible for GCP Startup Credits?

Google offers two tiers of support based on your startup's maturity and affiliation

1. Start Tier (Early-stage, bootstrapped):

Who Can Apply:

Bootstrapped or angel-funded startups
You haven't raised Series A or beyond
You’re building your product or MVP
You have a functional website and business email

Benefits:

Up to $2,000 in GCP credits for 12 months
Firebase + Google Maps + AI APIs
Invitation to GCP startup community events
Free technical support + architectural guidance

Best for: Solo founders, bootstrapped SaaS, AI, mobile app or e-commerce startups

2. Scale Tier (VC-backed or Incubator startups):

Who Can Apply:

You are part of a recognized incubator, accelerator or VC fund
OR you’ve raised Pre-Seed / Seed / Series A
You have active customers or early traction
You have a working product and growth potential

Benefits:

Up to $200,000 in GCP credits over 2 years
Dedicated Google Cloud Success Manager
Access to exclusive Google events & GTM support
Up to $100,000 in perks via partner tools
Technical and architectural review sessions

Best for: Growth stage startups building scalable cloud native apps, ML platforms or global SaaS

Global Coverage (Including India)

GCP for Startups is available in over 140 countries, including

🇺🇸 USA
🇬🇧 UK
🇮🇳 India
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇺 Australia
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇩🇪 Germany
🇫🇷 France

For Indian founders, GCP often partners with incubators like

T-Hub
iCreate
NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore)
Startup India (via Google Cloud & Invest India)
YourNest VC, Lightspeed, 100X.VC, and more

What Can You Use GCP Credits For?

With Google Cloud, you can build and deploy

Web & mobile apps (via Firebase, Cloud Run, App Engine)
AI/ML models (Vertex AI, TensorFlow, AutoML)
Microservices & APIs (Cloud Functions, Kubernetes)
Analytics dashboards (BigQuery, Data Studio)
Secure apps (Identity Platform, Secret Manager)

Also included

✅ Google Maps API
✅ Dialogflow (chatbots)
✅ Looker Studio
✅ Generative AI APIs

How to Apply for GCP for Startups

For Start Tier:

Sign up at: https://cloud.google.com/startups
Choose “I’m a startup”
Fill your company info + website + founder profile
Submit and wait for email approval (3 - 10 business days)

For Scale Tier:

Get referred by your VC, incubator or accelerator
Ask them for Google Cloud Partner ID or referral form
Apply via their private link or with Google rep support

Pro Tips for a Strong Application

Use a professional domain email (hello@yourstartup.com)
Ensure your website reflects what your product does
Be clear about how you’ll use GCP (AI training, hosting backend, etc.)
Highlight traction (users, waitlist, revenue, MVP)

FAQ

Q1: Is the GCP Startup Program really free?

Yes. You only start paying once your credits expire.

Q2: Can I apply if I use AWS or Azure already?

Yes,Google encourages multi-cloud use or migration pilots.

Q:3 Can I reapply after credits expire?

No, but you can transition to Google’s growth or enterprise plans.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're launching a SaaS product, building a scalable AI tool or setting up a global backend Google Cloud for Startups is one of the most valuable cloud credit programs available.

With up to $200,000 in free GCP credits, plus mentorship, community, and product support, there’s no better time to join the GCP startup ecosystem.