Which Cloud Providers Offer Credits for New Businesses?

Starting a new business in 2025 isn’t easy, even with the surge of innovation and startup funding. What’s becoming even harder? Balancing costs while building tech infrastructure that’s agile, secure, and scalable from day one.

Here’s something to chew on: According to a Gartner report, 85% of new digital products rely heavily on cloud infrastructure by the time they reach their MVP stage. And yet, many first-time founders hesitate to adopt powerful tech solutions because of one major barrier—cost.

But here’s the twist. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started on the cloud.

Many top-tier and emerging cloud providers now offer free cloud credits to new businesses, early-stage startups, and entrepreneurs, so you can access enterprise-grade tools without dipping into your runway.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through which cloud providers offer these credits, what kind of support you can expect, and why companies like Cyfuture Cloud are becoming the go-to solution for modern startups—especially in India.

Why Cloud Credits Matter for Startups Today

Let’s be honest: the cloud isn’t just a technical choice anymore—it’s a strategic business decision.

Whether you're building a mobile app, launching an eCommerce platform, or setting up your SaaS infrastructure, cloud hosting gives you the agility, security, and cost control you need to move fast and grow faster.

But what happens when you're just getting started—no revenue, limited capital, and plenty of uncertainty?

That’s where cloud credits step in.

These are essentially free vouchers or grants from cloud providers to let you access their tools and infrastructure—so you can build, test, and deploy without worrying about server bills right away.

And today, almost all major players in the cloud ecosystem have dedicated programs to support new businesses. Let’s explore what’s out there.

1. Cyfuture Cloud: Built for New-Age Indian Startups

Let’s kick things off with Cyfuture Cloud, a rising star in India’s cloud ecosystem. What makes Cyfuture Cloud stand out? They focus specifically on new businesses and local startups that want to go digital without being buried in complexity.

Why it works for new businesses:

Cloud credits up to ₹1,00,000 for eligible startups

Quick and hassle-free onboarding (no long documentation drama)

Tier-III Indian data centers (great for local compliance & speed)

Excellent support from real people—not bots

Affordable post-credit hosting plans

Ideal for businesses that want regional hosting to serve Indian customers with low latency

Cyfuture Cloud goes beyond just infrastructure. They often co-partner with accelerators, incubators, and VC firms to bring cloud credits closer to founders when they need them the most.

And unlike global giants, they don’t require you to be part of a big startup program to qualify for their cloud credits. Even a new business with a website and a product roadmap can get started.

Keywords in play:

Cloud
Cyfuture Cloud
Hosting
Cloud credits for startups

2. Amazon Web Services (AWS Activate)

Next on the list is AWS Activate, one of the most established startup support programs in the cloud ecosystem.

What’s included:

Free credits worth up to $100,000 USD (approx. ₹80 lakhs) over 1–2 years

Access to developer tools, APIs, machine learning platforms

AWS Business Support tier (worth thousands alone)

Technical mentorship and online training

Who’s eligible?

Startups must be part of an accelerator, incubator, or VC-backed portfolio

Independent applications may get $1,000–$10,000 credits

While AWS is powerful, it can be intimidating for non-tech founders. There’s a learning curve, and unless you have a dev team in place, you might feel overwhelmed.

Still, if you're planning to scale globally and have engineering resources, AWS is a strong choice.

3. Google Cloud for Startups

Google Cloud’s startup program is known for being founder-friendly and product-focused. If your startup is working with AI, data analytics, or web3, this might be your ideal cloud partner.

What you get:

Cloud credits up to $100,000 (varies based on stage)

Priority access to Google Cloud engineers

Firebase credits for mobile and web apps

Technical training, networking, and co-marketing opportunities

Downsides?

The application process can be long

Preference is given to startups with an MVP and some traction

You usually need a referral from a Google partner, VC, or accelerator

Still, Google Cloud shines when it comes to developer tools, integrations with Gmail/Workspace, and smooth API architecture.

4. Microsoft Azure for Startups

Microsoft Azure’s startup initiative isn’t talked about as much, but it’s one of the most generous programs for B2B founders.

Program benefits:

Up to $150,000 in cloud credits

Free access to GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio, Power BI

Networking and go-to-market guidance

Azure Active Directory and security stack—ideal for corporate-level applications

Azure is perfect if you’re building a SaaS tool for large enterprises or government contracts and need to build secure environments from the ground up.

Azure also partners with Indian startup hubs and offers localized support through Microsoft’s India division.

5. Oracle Cloud Free Tier for Startups

Oracle Cloud might not be the first name that comes to mind for new businesses, but they’re offering always-free access to some core cloud resources.

What you can expect:

Two virtual machines

100 GB block storage

Load balancers

Autonomous databases

Free credits up to $500–$5,000 depending on region and pitch

Oracle has been making moves to support AI and fintech startups, particularly those in data-heavy industries.

6. IBM Cloud for Startups

IBM Cloud is ideal for AI, machine learning, and data-focused startups, especially in healthtech, fintech, and supply chain.

Their program includes:

Cloud credits up to $120,000

Access to Watson AI tools

Dedicated mentor support

Technical architecture sessions

They’re more selective, and ideal for companies targeting enterprise or research-backed solutions.

How to Choose the Right Cloud Credit Program?

Every cloud provider has strengths—but it boils down to your business goals.

Here’s how to decide:

And remember, hosting isn’t just about storage. It’s about performance, uptime, customer experience, and backend security.

Choose a provider that not only gives you credits but also supports your growth vision.

Conclusion: Free Credits Today, Growth Tomorrow

If you're a new business with limited funds but unlimited ambition, you don’t need to compromise on technology. Thanks to these cloud credit programs, you can now access high-performance hosting, development tools, and enterprise-grade infrastructure—for free.

Whether you go with a global cloud giant or choose an agile, India-focused player like Cyfuture Cloud, the goal is the same: build something great without burning capital.

As your business scales, these early-stage partnerships can evolve into long-term tech advantages—making your startup not just survive, but thrive.