Application Best Practices

5 steps for applying
to the Cloud Program

We’re thrilled you are considering applying to
the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Identity
verification is the first step to applying and is
designed to protect you and your company.
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth
application process and start enjoying the
benefits of the program as soon as possible.
1. Apply with your startup business email address

Personal email addresses will not be accepted.
[email protected]
[email protected], [email protected]
2. Check that email address and business domain match

[email protected] + www.coolstartup.com
[email protected] + www.mycoolstartup.ai
3. Provide an active Billing ID in good standing

This ID is an 18-digit alphanumeric hex string such as ABC123-DEF456-GHI789. If you haven’t created a
Google Cloud Billing ID yet, you can check out how to create a Billing ID.
Please wait 48 hours after creating a Billing ID before applying to the Google for Startups Cloud
Program in order to ensure it reaches our systems.
Please use your active Google Cloud Billing ID, not your:
Google Cloud Project ID (text string e.g. “analytics-misc”)
Google Cloud Project Number (numeric digits with no space e.g. 601315335546)
Payments Profile ID (12 numeric digits e.g. 2885-9549-6692 )
4. Make sure the owner of the billing account has the same unique email domain as used
on your application
We need to verify that your company controls the Google Cloud Billing ID used on your application, as this is
where we will deposit Cloud credits upon acceptance into the Google for Startups Cloud Program. This is a
very common application error, so we recommend consulting with the individual who manages your startup’s
Cloud Billing account before applying. If your startup uses a different domain for email than your Cloud Billing
ID, please see the next page for more details. For questions on how to manage Billing ID users, see this tutorial
from our billing team.
5. Provide publicly available proof of funding

To be accepted into the Google for Startups Cloud Program, your startup must have received pre-seed to Series A
equity funding within the past year. The next page outlines the investment verification process in more detail.
If your startup uses a different domain for email
We still need to validate your identity.
Please contact [email protected]

with screenshots that link both your email and
business domain to the active Google Cloud
Billing ID you wish to use to apply to the program
(e.g. Cloud Billing overview screen).
Investment verification
To be accepted into the Google for Startups Cloud Program, please ensure your investment meets
the below criteria.
What we CAN accept: Equity investment from pre-seed to Series A equity funding, and if Series A,
raised within one year of applying to the program.
What we CANNOT accept: Investment comprised entirely of crowdfunding, friends & family, debt
funding, grant funding, or private equity funding.
If you haven’t raised a pre-seed to Series A round, unfortunately you aren’t yet eligible for the Google
for Startups Cloud Program–but please check back here when you’re ready.
If your startup is funded, congrats! Please provide links to publicly available online sources showing the
equity investment(s) made in your company. If you are in stealth mode, please work with your investor and
their Google point of contact to verify your funding.
What we CAN accept: Investment news from reputable news articles or press releases, startup
investment aggregator sites (Pitchbook, Dealroom, Crunchbase, etc), investor portfolio pages, investor
blog posts, etc.
What we CANNOT accept: Social media posts or blog posts from your own company, confidential
information such as funding documentation, incorporation documents, and other forms.
Key resources for You’re almost there! Before you submit your application, double-check that
your startup is eligible for the Google for Startups Cloud Program:
billing support
Create a Billing Your startup was founded within 10 years of applying to the program,
and has not had an initial public offering or been acquired.
Account
Your startup hasn’t participated in the Google for Startups Cloud Program
Update your Billing in the past, or received Cloud credits (beyond the standard free trial) via
Account and Payment another Google program.
Settings Your startup is a funded tech company, not an educational institution,
government entity, nonprofit, personal blog, dev shop, consultancy,
Manage your Billing or agency.
Account You are not using a generic email domain or stealth website.

Application Best Practices

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Application Best Practices

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Application Best Practices

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

5 steps for applying

to the Cloud Program

1. Apply with your startup business email address

2. Check that email address and business domain match

3. Provide an active Billing ID in good standing

5. Provide publicly available proof of funding

Please contact [email protected]

You might also like