AWS is making a play for the startup market with Kiro for Startups, a new program offering free credits for their agentic AI IDE. The offer targets VC-backed companies from pre-seed through Series B stages, providing one full year of Kiro Pro+ access at no cost.
The program comes in three tiers designed to match different team sizes:
- Starter Tier — Kiro Pro+ for up to 2 users
- Growth Tier — Kiro Pro+ for up to 50 users
- Scale Tier — Kiro Pro+ for up to 100 users
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2025, or until credits run out. To participate, startups need an AWS Account ID with an email address matching their company domain.
Why This Matters#
Kiro represents AWS’s entry into the spec-driven development space—an AI IDE built around structured workflows rather than the “vibe coding” approach that’s dominated the market. The IDE promises to help teams transition from prototype to production with built-in verification and security features.
For startups operating under tight budgets, free access to an enterprise-grade AI development environment removes a significant barrier. AWS is clearly betting that startups who build on Kiro early will stick with the platform as they scale—a classic land-and-expand strategy.
The Catch#
There are eligibility requirements. You need official VC backing, a business email matching your domain, and an existing AWS account. Some countries are excluded from the program, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Russia among others.
Once credits are used or expire after one year, billing switches automatically to standard Kiro Pro+ pricing. Credits cannot be refunded, transferred, or reissued.
The Bigger Picture#
This launch signals AWS’s commitment to competing in the AI-assisted development space against GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and other emerging tools. By capturing startups early with free credits, AWS is building a pipeline of future enterprise customers who are already embedded in the Kiro ecosystem.
For qualifying startups, it’s a straightforward value proposition: free access to a powerful AI IDE with no immediate financial commitment.
Apply: Visit Kiro for Startups to submit your application before the December 31st deadline.