Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program
Up to $120,000 in Alibaba Cloud credits and up to 2B free Model Studio tokens for startups in the AI Catalyst Program.
Worth
Up to $120,000 in cloud credits + up to 2B Model Studio tokens
'Up to $120k cloud credits support' and 'up to 2B free Model Studio tokens' per alibabacloud.com/en/startup. Tier amounts, validity and eligibility are not published on the program page; the separate Startup Cloud Credits Terms page returned 404 when tried.
Quick facts
- Value
- Up to $120,000 in cloud credits + up to 2B Model Studio tokens
- Type
- Credits
- Duration
- Not stated
- Stages
- Any stage
- Regions
- Global
- Max funding raised
- Not stated
- Max company age
- Not stated
- Last verified
- Nov 3, 2026 · Partially verified
Ways to get it
Apply directly
Apply directly
Up to $120,000 credits + up to 2B Model Studio tokens + POC coupons
- Submit the online application form on the program page
- Respond to any request for additional information
Successful applicants are notified by email within 4-5 business days.
Open program page
Eligibility
Requirements
- AI startup applying to the AI Catalyst Program (formal criteria are not published on the program page)
Not eligible
No exclusions stated.
How to apply
- 1
Open alibabacloud.com/en/startup (the AI Catalyst Program page) and submit the online application form.
- 2
Watch your email: Alibaba Cloud may request additional information during review.
- 3
Successful applicants are notified by email within 4-5 business days and then join the AI Catalyst Program.
Gotchas
- The $120,000 figure is described as 'up to'; the page publishes no tier amounts or criteria, so treat it as a ceiling.
- Credit validity and covered services are not stated on the program page; check the credit terms in your approval.
- Alibaba Cloud signals interest in AI video/image creation, model aggregators and content moderation startups.
- Regional campaigns (for example Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong) have separate terms and may have ended.
About the Alibaba Cloud program
Alibaba Cloud's startup offer is the AI Catalyst Program (alibabacloud.com/en/startup). Its Credits & Support benefit is listed as up to 2B free Model Studio tokens, up to $120k in cloud credits, and POC coupons. The program also offers 1:1 office hours with Alibaba Cloud AI experts covering products, solutions and infrastructure, plus go-to-market and network access: invitations to Alibaba Cloud events globally and the AI Alliance network of clients and partners.
Alibaba Cloud says it is especially interested in startups working on AI video and image creation, AI model aggregators, and content moderation (such as deepfake detection). The page does not publish tier amounts, credit validity, or formal eligibility criteria, so the $120k figure is a ceiling rather than a standard award.
The process, per the page: submit the online form, Alibaba Cloud may email you for additional information, and successful applicants are notified by email within 4-5 business days.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Alibaba Cloud give startups?
The AI Catalyst Program page advertises up to $120k in cloud credits and up to 2B free Model Studio tokens, plus POC coupons. It does not publish how individual awards are decided.
How long does a decision take?
Alibaba Cloud says successful applicants are notified by email within 4-5 business days; you might first receive an email requesting more information.
What other support does the program offer?
1:1 office hours with Alibaba Cloud AI experts, invitations to Alibaba Cloud events globally, and access to the AI Alliance network of clients and partners.
