Unlocking Success v1: 15 Ways to Get Free Cloud Credits for UK Business Startups

If you’re a UK-based entrepreneur looking for a way to launch or scale your startup, you might be searching for  free cloud credits for UK business startups from various providers. Free cloud credits are essentially vouchers that you can use to pay for cloud services, such as computing, storage, networking, databases, and more. Cloud credits can help you reduce your operational costs, experiment with new technologies, and scale your business faster. 

But how can you get free cloud credits for your UK business startup? In this article, we’ll introduce you to three cloud providers that offer free cloud credits for startups 

1. Google Cloud for Startups 

Google Cloud for Startups is a program that offers up to $200,000 USD (up to $350,000 USD for AI startups) in free cloud credits for UK business startups over 2 years to eligible startups. The program also provides access to technical training and hands-on labs, dedicated startup experts, community networking opportunities, and Google-wide discounts. 

To apply for the program, you need to have an active Google Cloud account, a startup website domain, and a business email address that matches the domain. You also need to provide information about your startup’s industry, funding level, founding date, and country. Additionally, you need to indicate if you are an AI or Web3 startup, as they have additional benefits. 

 The program has two tiers: Start and Scale. The Start tier is for startups that have no equity funding or are bootstrapped, funded with grants, crowdfunding, or friends & family investments. The Start tier offers up to $2,000 USD in cloud credits over 2 years. The Scale tier is for startups that have received pre-seed to Series B+ equity funding from accredited investors. The Scale tier offers up to $200,000 USD (up to $350,000 USD for AI startups) in cloud credits over 2 years. 

 You can apply for the program here: https://cloud.google.com/startup/apply 

2. AWS Activate 

AWS Activate is a program that offers up to $100,000 USD in free cloud credits for UK business startups as AWS credits and up to $10,000 USD in AWS Business Support over 1 year to eligible startups. The program also provides access to technical training and resources, mentorship and networking opportunities, and exclusive offers from AWS partners. 

To apply for the program, you need to have an active AWS account and a valid credit card associated with it. You also need to provide information about your startup’s industry, stage, funding level, revenue, team size, and country. Additionally, you need to indicate if you are affiliated with an AWS partner network (APN), such as an accelerator, incubator, venture capital firm, or educational institution. 

The program has two tiers: Portfolio and Portfolio Plus. The Portfolio tier is for startups that are associated with an APN or have received up to $1.5 million USD in seed or Series A funding. The Portfolio tier offers up to $15,000 USD in AWS credits and up to $5,000 USD in AWS Business Support over 1 year. The Portfolio Plus tier is for startups that have received more than $1.5 million USD in seed or Series A funding or are alumni of an APN. The Portfolio Plus tier offers up to $100,000 USD in AWS credits and up to $10,000 USD in AWS Business Support over 1 year. 

You can apply for the program here: https://aws.amazon.com/activate/ 

3. IONOS Startup Program 

IONOS Startup Program is a program that offers up to €10,000 EUR in free cloud credits for UK business startups over 1 year to eligible startups. The program also provides access to customer references, success stories, white papers, reports, webinars, and partner solutions. 

To apply for the program, you need to have an active IONOS account and a valid credit card associated with it. You also need to provide information about your startup’s industry, stage, funding level, revenue, team size, and country. 

Additionally, you need to indicate if you are using IONOS products or services, such as compute, storage, backup, networking, databases, or private cloud. 

The program has two tiers: Basic and Premium. The Basic tier is for startups that are less than 5 years old and have less than €1 million EUR in annual revenue. The Basic tier offers up to €500 EUR in cloud credits per month over 1 year. The Premium tier is for startups that are less than 5 years old and have more than €1 million EUR in annual revenue or have received venture capital funding. The Premium tier offers up to €1 

000 EUR in cloud credits per month over 1 year. 

 You can apply for the program here: https://cloud.ionos.co.uk/startup-program 

4. Scaleway Startup Program 

Scaleway is a European cloud provider that offers a range of cloud solutions, such as virtual machines, Kubernetes, object storage, databases, and more. Scaleway also has a dedicated startup program that aims to support early-stage startups in Europe and beyond. 

The Scaleway Startup Program offers up to €36,000 in free cloud credits for UK business startups over 12 months, as well as technical and business mentoring, access to Scaleway’s network of partners and investors, and visibility on Scaleway’s media channels. To be eligible for the program, you need to have a registered company in Europe or Africa, be less than five years old, have less than €1 million in annual revenue, and have a clear use case for Scaleway’s cloud services. 

To apply for the Scaleway Startup Program, you need to fill out an online form with some details about your startup, such as your name, email, website, pitch deck, and cloud needs. You also need to agree to Scaleway’s terms and conditions and privacy policy. Scaleway will review your application and get back to you within two weeks. 

 You can apply through this link : Startup Program | Scaleway

5. DigitalOcean Hatch 

DigitalOcean is a popular cloud provider that offers simple and affordable cloud solutions, such as droplets (virtual machines), spaces (object storage), databases, Kubernetes, and more. DigitalOcean also has a global startup program called Hatch that helps startups grow and scale their businesses. 

The DigitalOcean Hatch program offers up to $1000 in free cloud credits for UK business startups over 12 months, as well as technical training and support, access to DigitalOcean’s community of developers and mentors, and exclusive perks from partners like Stripe, MongoDB, Segment, and more. To be eligible for the program, you need to have a registered company that is less than two years old, have less than $10 million in funding or annual revenue, and have not previously received free credits from DigitalOcean. 

To apply for the DigitalOcean Hatch program, you need to fill out an online form with some details about your startup, such as your name, email, website, pitch deck or video, and cloud needs. You also need to agree to DigitalOcean’s terms of service and privacy policy. DigitalOcean will review your application and get back to you within two weeks. 

You can apply through this link: Hatch | DigitalOcean for Startups

6. Oracle Startup Program 

Oracle Startup Program is a global initiative that supports startups of all stages and sizes with free cloud credits, mentoring, technical support, and co-innovation opportunities. Oracle Startup Program offers up to $500,000 USD in free cloud credits for eligible UK business startups, as well as access to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle Autonomous Database, and Oracle Cloud Applications. 

To apply for Oracle Startup Program, you need to have a UK-registered company that is less than five years old and has less than $5 million USD in annual revenue. You also need to have a scalable and innovative solution that leverages cloud technologies. You can apply online by filling out a short form and providing some information about your startup and your cloud needs. If accepted, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to activate your cloud credits and access other benefits. 

You can apply through this link: Cloud Technology for Startups | Oracle

7. Startup with IBM 

Startup with IBM is a program that helps startups build and scale their solutions on IBM Cloud. Startup with IBM offers up to $120,000 USD in free cloud credits for UK business startups, as well as access to IBM Watson, IBM Blockchain, IBM Cloud Pak for Data, and more. You can also get technical guidance, business mentoring, networking opportunities, and exposure to potential customers and investors. 

To apply for Startup with IBM, you need to have a UK-registered company that is less than five years old and has less than $1 million USD in annual revenue. You also need to have an innovative solution that uses or intends to use IBM Cloud services. You can apply online by creating an IBM Cloud account and filling out an application form. If approved, you’ll receive an email with a code that you can use to redeem your cloud credits and access other benefits. 

  You can apply through this linl: ISV Build Partners | IBM

8. Microsoft for Startups 

Microsoft for Startups is a program that helps startups grow their businesses with Microsoft Azure. Microsoft for Startups offers up to $120,000 USD in free cloud credits for UK business startups, as well as access to Microsoft 365, GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise, and more. You can also get technical support, business coaching, marketing assistance, and access to Microsoft’s partner ecosystem. 

To apply for Microsoft for Startups, you need to have a UK-registered company that is less than five years old and has less than $25 million USD in annual revenue. You also need to have a business-to-business (B2B) solution that is built on or compatible with Microsoft Azure. You can apply online by creating a Microsoft account and filling out an application form. If accepted, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to activate your cloud credits and access other benefits. 

You can apply through this link : Microsoft for Startups | Microsoft

9. Create@Alibaba Cloud

Create@Alibaba Cloud is a global program that supports startups in various stages of growth with cloud resources, technical guidance, and business opportunities. The program offers up to $3,000 in free cloud credits for UK business startups that meet the eligibility criteria, which include being less than five years old, having less than 50 employees, and having a clear business model and value proposition. 

For Create@Alibaba Cloud, go to https://www.alibabacloud.com/free and click on Free Trial. Then, enter your email and password and click on Confirm. You will need to verify your email and complete your account information. After that, you can apply for the program by filling out a form with your startup details and submitting it for review. 

10. Linode Rise

Linode Rise is a new startup program that provides infrastructure credits, cloud consulting, IT services, community access, and support for early-stage startups. The program offers up to $120,000 in ffree cloud credits for UK business startups that qualify, which include being less than seven years old, having a company website and corporate email, and using Linode as one of the primary providers of their infrastructure. 

For Linode Rise, go to https://www.linode.com/linode-for-startups/ and click on Apply To Rise Startup Program. Then, enter your email and password and click on Create Account. You will need to verify your email and complete your account information. After that, you can apply for the program by filling out a form with your startup details and submitting it for an interview. 

11. Vultr VIP Digital Start-Up Program

Vultr is a global independent cloud provider that offers a range of cloud compute services, such as virtual machines, bare metal servers, block storage, object storage, load balancers, and more. Vultr has 32 cloud data center locations around the world, including London and Amsterdam in Europe.

The Vultr VIP Digital Start-Up Program is designed to help digital startups and scaleups migrate to Vultr’s cloud and accelerate their innovation and growth. The program offers the following benefits:

– Up to $100,000 (USD) in free cloud credits for UK business startups to get started on your Vultr migration
– Up to 35% in long-term Vultr discounts
– Industry-leading cost-to-performance
– Exclusive Vultr executive sponsorship
– Exclusive Vultr technical architecture review, recommendations, and consultation
– Dedicated account management
– Prioritized technical support

To qualify for the program, organizations must meet the following criteria:

– Have secured recent Series A, B, C, D, or E financing
– Provide name and contact details of senior-most technical executive contact (CTO, etc.)
– Provide name and contact details of senior-most technical cloud infrastructure lead
– Provide last 6 months of cloud compute invoices
– Agree to be publicly referenceable as member of Vultr Digital Start-up Program

You can apply for the program here: https://experience.vultr.com/Start-up-Program.html

12. OVHcloud Startup Program

OVHcloud is a European leader in cloud computing that offers a variety of cloud solutions, such as public cloud, private cloud, dedicated servers, web hosting, domain names, and more. OVHcloud has 31 data centers across 19 countries, including the UK.

The OVHcloud Startup Program provides startups and scaleups with free cloud credits and technical support to accelerate their journey onto OVHcloud’s secure, reliable, and cost-efficient cloud. The program offers two levels of benefits:

Start level:

– €10,000 of free cloud credits for UK business startups
– 6 hours of 1-on-1 time with an engineer (free)
– Visibility for your startup
– Access to market and funding

Scale level:

– Up to €100,000 of free cloud credits
– Up to 20 hours of 1-on-1 time with an engineer (free)
– Personal visibility for your scaleup
– Access to market and funding

To qualify for the program, organizations must meet the following criteria:

– Be a tech startup or scaleup with an innovative project
– Have less than 5 years of existence
– Have less than €10 million in annual revenue
– Have less than 50 employees
– Have a clear need for cloud infrastructure

You can apply for the program here: https://startup.ovhcloud.com/en/

Comparison

Both programs offer generous free cloud credits and technical support for startups and scaleups. However, there are some differences that might influence your choice:

– Vultr requires recent startup financing to qualify for the program, while OVHcloud does not.
– Vultr offers more free credit ($100,000 vs €100,000) and more long-term discounts (up to 35%) than OVHcloud.
– Vultr has more data center locations (32 vs 31) and more presence in North America and Asia than OVHcloud.
– OVHcloud offers more cloud solutions (public cloud, private cloud, dedicated servers, web hosting, domain names) than Vultr (virtual machines, bare metal servers, block storage, object storage, load balancers).
– OVHcloud guarantees data protection and data sovereignty compliance in the cloud, while Vultr does not explicitly mention this aspect.

13. Sunrise – Cloudzy’s Startup Program

UK startups and small enterprises are in a continuous quest for resources that not only fuel their growth but also enable innovation without the burden of inflated costs. This is where Cloudzy’s Sunrise Program steps in, offering a beacon of support through free cloud credits specifically tailored for the burgeoning needs of these businesses.

Cloudzy, a renowned provider in the cloud services arena, has unveiled its Sunrise Program, a pioneering initiative designed to empower startups and small businesses within the UK. The program aims to democratise access to advanced cloud computing resources, ensuring that even the smallest ventures have the firepower to compete on a global stage.

The essence of the Sunrise Program lies in its offer of free cloud credits to eligible UK-based startups and small businesses. This not only alleviates financial pressures but also opens up a realm of possibilities for experimentation, innovation, and scaling operations. With these credits, businesses can leverage a wide range of cloud services, from virtual private servers (VPS) to dedicated cloud infrastructure, without the initial capital expenditure that often acts as a barrier to technology adoption.

Eligibility for the Sunrise Program is streamlined to ensure that a broad spectrum of businesses can benefit. Startups and small enterprises that are innovative, have a clear growth strategy, and demonstrate a commitment to leveraging cloud technology for business improvement are encouraged to apply. Cloudzy’s aim is to foster a community of forward-thinking businesses that harness the power of cloud computing to create scalable, resilient, and efficient operations.

The benefits of participating in the Sunrise Program extend beyond the financial. Participants gain access to Cloudzy’s comprehensive suite of cloud services, expert technical support, and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators. This ecosystem of resources and support is invaluable for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and cloud integration.

For startups and small businesses in the UK, the opportunity presented by Cloudzy’s Sunrise Program is unparalleled. Free cloud credits can be the catalyst for growth and innovation, reducing the time to market for new products and services, enhancing operational efficiency, and ultimately, driving competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace.

As businesses increasingly rely on cloud technologies to power their operations, programs like the Sunrise Program are not just beneficial; they are essential. They represent a commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that are the hallmarks of the UK’s small business sector.

You can apply via this link: Sunrise — Up to $10,000 Credit Value for Startups (cloudzy.com)

14. Clever Cloud Startup Program

Clever Cloud is a cloud hosting platform that lets you deploy and scale your applications with ease. You can choose from a variety of languages, frameworks, and databases, and enjoy features like auto-scaling, zero-downtime deployment, and high availability.

But what makes Clever Cloud different from other cloud providers is its innovative pricing model. Instead of paying for fixed resources that you may not use, you only pay for what you consume. This means you can save money and optimize your cloud spending.

And if you are a UK business startup, you can save even more with the Clever Cloud Startup Program. This program gives you access to free cloud credits for up to 12 months, depending on your eligibility and needs. You can use these credits to run any of your applications on Clever Cloud, whether it’s a web app, a mobile app, a chatbot, or anything else.

To apply for the program, you need to meet the following criteria:

– You are a UK-based company with less than 50 employees and less than £10 million in annual revenue.
– You have been in business for less than 5 years.
– You have a clear vision and a viable product that can benefit from cloud hosting.

If you meet these criteria, you can fill out this form and submit your application. You will receive a response within 10 days, and if you are accepted, you will get your free cloud credits for your UK business startups right away.

Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your business with Clever Cloud. Apply for the Clever Cloud Startup Program today and get free cloud credits for UK business startups.

You can apply via this link: Early Stage | Clever Cloud (clever-cloud.com)

15. MongoDB Startup Accelerator program

1. The MongoDB Startup Accelerator program is a great opportunity for UK business startups to get free cloud credits and access to MongoDB’s best-in-class data platform. MongoDB is a leading database provider that offers a flexible, scalable, and secure solution for your data needs. Whether you are building a web app, a mobile app, or an AI-powered product, MongoDB can help you store, process, and analyze your data with ease.

What is the MongoDB Startup Accelerator program?

The MongoDB Startup Accelerator program is a selective program for early-stage, high-growth startups that are using MongoDB products or services. The program provides a wide range of resources, including:

– Free MongoDB Atlas credits: You can get up to $3,600 in free cloud credits for UK business startups for MongoDB Atlas, the fully managed cloud database service that lets you launch and scale your applications on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. MongoDB Atlas offers built-in features such as Atlas Search, Atlas Data Lake, Atlas Online Archive, and more to enhance your data capabilities.
– One-on-one technical advice: You can get exclusive access to a one-on-one session with a MongoDB expert who can help you with best practices, architecture design, performance optimization, and more.
– Co-marketing opportunities: You can get exposure to MongoDB’s large and engaged developer community through various channels such as blogs, webinars, podcasts, social media, and events.
– Access to partner network: You can get access to MongoDB’s partner network, which includes VCs, accelerators, incubators, cloud providers, and other technology partners who can help you grow your business.

How can the MongoDB Startup Accelerator program benefit your startup?

The MongoDB Startup Accelerator program can benefit your startup in many ways, such as:

– Saving time and money: By using MongoDB Atlas credits, you can save on infrastructure costs and focus on building your product instead of managing your database. You can also leverage MongoDB’s rich features and integrations to speed up your development and deployment cycles.
– Scaling faster and further: By using MongoDB’s flexible and scalable data platform, you can handle any data volume, variety, or velocity with ease. You can also scale your database across regions and clouds with no downtime or data loss.
– Innovating with AI: By using MongoDB’s AI capabilities, you can enhance your product with advanced search, analytics, and machine learning features. You can also join the MongoDB AI Innovators program to showcase your AI solution and collaborate with MongoDB’s product and partner teams.

How to apply for the MongoDB Startup Accelerator program?

To apply for the MongoDB Startup Accelerator program, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

– Early-stage startups: This program is intended for startups at Series A or earlier.
– Product or service: Startups building a product or service (dev shops, consultants, or marketing agencies are not eligible).
– First-time participants: Companies that have not previously been part of the MongoDB Startup Accelerator program.
– Website: A live, functioning website.
– Company LinkedIn: A valid company profile on LinkedIn or Crunchbase.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply for the program by filling out this form. You will need to provide some basic information about your startup, such as:

– Name and email address
– Company name and website
– Company description and stage
– Use case and technology stack
– VC or accelerator affiliation (if any)

Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. The MongoDB team will review your application and get back to you within 5 business days. If you are accepted into the program, you will receive a unique promo code that you can use to redeem your MongoDB Atlas credits.

You can apply through the following link: MongoDB For Startups | MongoDB

Conclusion 

Getting free cloud credits can be a great way to boost your UK business startup and take advantage of the latest cloud technologies. Oracle Startup Program, Startup with IBM, and Microsoft for Startups are three programs that offer generous amounts of free cloud credits to UK-based startups that meet their eligibility criteria. By applying for these programs, you can not only save money on your cloud expenses but also get access to valuable resources and opportunities that can help you grow your business faster and smarter. 

FAQs:

Q1: What are cloud credits, and why are they important for UK business startups?

Cloud credits are vouchers that startups can use to cover expenses for cloud services like computing, storage, networking, and databases. They are crucial for startups as they help lower operational costs, enable experimentation with cutting-edge technologies, and support business scaling efforts.

Q2: How can startups apply for free cloud credits?

The process for applying for free cloud credits may vary between providers. Generally, it involves signing up for a startup program offered by cloud service providers, submitting a business plan or proposal, and meeting specific eligibility criteria set by the provider.

Q3: Are there specific criteria startups need to meet to qualify for free cloud credits?

Yes, eligibility criteria can include factors such as the startup’s industry focus, development stage, funding level, and the potential for cloud service utilization. It’s important to review each provider’s requirements closely.

Q4: Can free cloud credits be used for any cloud service?

While free cloud credits are versatile, their applicability might be limited to certain services or products within the provider’s cloud platform. Startups should verify the scope of services covered by the credits.

Q5: What happens when the cloud credits expire or run out?

Upon expiration or depletion of cloud credits, startups can choose to continue using cloud services by transitioning to a paid plan. Planning for this transition is crucial to avoid service interruptions.

Q6: Are there best practices for managing and maximizing the use of cloud credits?

Best practices include monitoring credit usage closely, prioritizing high-impact cloud services, and setting up alerts to track spending. Startups should also seek advice from cloud service providers on efficient credit use.