Why Startups Look for GCP Credits (2025 Reality Check)
- Nitin Yadav
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A SquareOps expert guide explaining why GCP credits cannot be sold, the risks of buying unofficial credits, and legal ways US startups can reduce GCP costs in 2025
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In 2025, cloud costs have become one of the biggest financial pressures for US startups. Whether you’re building an AI platform, SaaS product, analytics engine, or mobile application, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) quickly becomes a major operating expense – often consuming 20–40% of early-stage budgets. As funding cycles tighten and investors demand leaner burn rates, founders are aggressively searching online for ways to reduce their cloud spend. That’s why searches like “GCP credits for sale”, “buy Google Cloud credits”, and “cheap GCP credits” are trending.
AI/ML workloads are especially expensive. Running GPUs, TPUs, model training, and vector databases can burn through thousands of dollars in days not months. Many founders quickly realize that without credits or cost-optimization, scaling on GCP can become financially unsustainable.
At the same time, GCP offers some of the most generous startup credit programs in the industry up to several hundred thousand dollars for eligible companies. But these are not always easy to qualify for, especially for bootstrapped or unfunded teams. This creates confusion and a dangerous temptation: looking for unofficial resellers or black-market credit sellers online.
Before startups risk their accounts, this guide explains the truth: Can you legally buy GCP credits? What does Google’s TOS say? What are the risks? And what legitimate alternatives exist?
Are GCP Credits for Sale? What Google’s TOS Actually Says
Let’s answer the biggest question upfront:
No – GCP credits cannot be purchased, resold, transferred, exchanged, or gifted.
Google’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit the sale or transfer of promotional credits. GCP credits are meant only for the specific organization that receives them through an approved Google program. They are not a currency and cannot be traded.
Google states that promotional credits:
- Must be used only by the account that received them
- Cannot be resold or transferred to another business
- Cannot be purchased from any third party
- May be revoked if used improperly
In simple terms:
If you try to buy GCP credits, you are violating Google Cloud’s TOS even if a reseller claims it is “safe” or “approved.”
What Happens If You Use Purchased or Unofficial Credits?
Google may take any of the following actions:
- Suspend or permanently shut down your GCP account
- Revoke all promotional credits
- Invalidate previously consumed credits and bill you in full
- Ban your organization from future startup credit programs
- Flag your domain or billing profile for compliance review
Startups running production workloads risk total service disruption.
Bottom line:
There is no legal way to buy GCP credits. Any offer you see online is unauthorized and extremely risky.
Why Buying GCP Credits From Third Parties Is Dangerous
Because GCP credits cannot legally be bought or resold, any website, Telegram group, Discord channel, or “reseller” offering discounted GCP credits is operating outside Google’s policies. For startups, using such credits is not only risky, it can threaten the entire business.
Here’s what most founders don’t realize:
1. You Can Lose Your Entire GCP Account Without Warning
Google performs automated and manual audits on promotional credit usage. If they detect suspicious billing activity, mismatched company details, or credit transfers, your account can be suspended instantly.
Startups have lost production databases, compute environments, pipelines, and access to Google Workspace due to violations.
2. Revoked Credits = A Massive Unexpected Bill
If Google invalidates illegitimate credits, the consumed amount is billed in full.
A startup that used $15,000 in unauthorized credits could suddenly owe $15k overnight.
3. Fake Credits Are Common in the Black Market
Many sellers simply use stolen credit cards or hacked educational program accounts.
You get penalized – not them.
4. You Lose Eligibility for Official Google Startup Programs
If Google flags your account, you may be permanently disqualified from:
- Google for Startups
- Partner accelerators
- Future credit programs
5. No Support, No Recourse, No Appeal
Once Google blocks your account for credit misuse, customer support cannot “fix it.”
Violations are final.
Conclusion:
Buying GCP credits unofficially is a direct violation of Google’s policies and exposes your startup to financial, operational, and security risks.
How to Legally Get GCP Credits (All Approved Options)
While you cannot buy GCP credits, Google offers several legitimate paths for startups, researchers, nonprofits, and growing businesses to receive free or subsidized cloud credits. These programs are completely compliant and can significantly reduce cloud expenses.
Below are all the legal ways to get GCP credits in 2025:
1. Google for Startups Cloud Program (Most Popular)
This is the primary way startups receive credits. Depending on your stage:
- Bootstrapped / early-stage: $2,000–$20,000
- Seed-funded: $50,000
- Series A or Growth stage: Up to $350,000 in credits
Eligibility factors include:
- Startup age (<10 years)
- Funding stage
- Tech-driven product
- Not previously awarded GCP credits
- Based in an approved region (US included)
This program is usually accessed through Google or approved partners.
2. Partner-Led Credits (Accelerators, VCs, Incubators)
Google partners with leading accelerators and VCs to offer enhanced benefits:
Techstars, Y Combinator, Startup Grind, 500 Global, and more.
Startups often receive larger credit packages via these partners.
3. Google Cloud Innovators Program
Open to all developers, offering smaller credits, training, and resources.
4. Google Research Credits
For universities, labs, and researchers needing compute for academic work.
5. Google Cloud Nonprofit Credits
Nonprofits can receive up to $10,000 in cloud credits per year.
6. Google Cloud Migration Credits
Companies switching from AWS/Azure to GCP may receive custom migration credits.
7. Committed Use Discounts (CUDs)
Not credits, but up to 70% cheaper pricing when committing to 1–3 years of usage.
These legitimate paths ensure your startup stays compliant while still accessing substantial cloud relief.
Official GCP Credit Amounts (2025 Table)
Google offers multiple funding pathways depending on your company stage, use case, and ecosystem affiliation. The exact credit amount varies, but the ranges below represent what US startups typically receive in 2025.
GCP Credit Amounts by Program (2025)
| Program Name | Credits Offered | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Google for Startups (Bootstrapped) | $2,000 – $20,000 | Early-stage, unfunded, product not yet scaled |
| Google for Startups (Seed) | $50,000 – $100,000 | Seed-funded startups with a tech-focused product |
| Google for Startups (Growth) | Up to $350,000 | VC-backed companies building scalable cloud systems |
| GCP Migration Credits | Custom (project-based) | Companies moving workloads from AWS/Azure to GCP |
| Google Research Credits | Custom | University or research-driven compute needs |
| Google Nonprofit Cloud Credits | Up to $10,000 annually | Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits |
| Google Cloud Innovators Program | Small credits + perks | All developers; easy to join |
How These Credit Amounts Compare to Industry Norms
GCP is generally more generous than AWS and Azure for cloud credits especially for startups building:
- AI/ML workloads
- Data pipelines
- High-performance compute
- Containerized platforms
Google’s strategy is clear: attract startups early, especially those launching AI-first products.
These credit tiers help US startups reduce operational costs dramatically without violating Google policies.
How to Qualify for Google Startup Credits (Step-by-Step Guide)
Getting GCP credits isn’t complicated but you must meet Google’s eligibility requirements and apply through the correct channels. Here’s a clear roadmap to maximize your chances of approval.
Step 1: Verify Your Startup Eligibility
Google typically looks for startups that are:
- Less than 10 years old
- Building a technology-centered product (not agencies or consultancies)
- Registered as a legal business (LLC, C-Corp, etc.)
- Actively using or planning to use cloud infrastructure
- Not previously awarded GCP startup credits
- Based in an approved region (US included)
If you already received GCP credits in previous years, you may not be eligible again.
Step 2: Choose the Right Program Path
You can access GCP credits through:
- Direct Google for Startups portal
- VC or accelerator partners (provides highest credit amounts)
- Google Cloud Sales teams for migration credits
- University or nonprofit pathways for specialized credits
VC or accelerator programs (ex: YC, Techstars, 500 Global) often unlock the largest amounts.
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
Be ready to provide:
- Pitch deck or company overview
- Website + product demo link
- Business registration details
- Funding information (if applicable)
- Cloud architecture or planned usage
Step 4: Submit the Application
Applications typically take 7–21 days to process.
If approved, credits are added directly to your billing account.
Step 5: Increase Approval Chances
- Show real cloud usage or future scaling plans
- Make your product’s technical value clear
- Apply through a partner (higher success rate)
- Maintain a properly registered domain & Google Workspace
What If You Don’t Qualify? 100% Legal Alternatives
Not every startup meets Google’s requirements for promotional cloud credits. Early bootstrapped teams, companies outside accelerator networks, or businesses rebuilding their GCP accounts may find themselves ineligible. But there are completely legal ways to reduce Google Cloud costs and access discounts without ever touching the black market.
1. Negotiate Directly With Google Cloud Sales
If your projected annual cloud spend is over $2,000–$5,000/month, Google may extend:
- Onboarding credits
- Migration incentives
- Usage-based discounts
- Free architectural guidance
This is fully compliant.
2. Join a Partner Accelerator or Community Program
Even if you aren’t VC-backed, you can join:
- Startup Grind
- Founders Network
- Google partner incubators
- Local accelerator programs
Many of these partners can nominate you for Google credits.
3. Use Cost-Reduction Tools Instead of Credits
The fastest way to reduce cloud bills is by optimizing usage:
- Move workloads to Committed Use Discounts (up to 70% off)
- Replace on-demand servers with Spot VMs
- Reduce idle GPU/TPU usage
- Use autoscaling
- Clean up orphaned disks, snapshots, & IPs
- Downsize VM families
- Use object storage lifecycle rules
Many companies reduce bills by 30–60% without needing credits.
4. Leverage Free-Tier & Always-Free Services
GCP offers a surprisingly generous always-free tier for:
- Cloud Run
- BigQuery Sandbox
- Firestore
- Artifact Registry
- Cloud Build
- Small compute instances
- Cloud Functions
Perfect for prototypes & MVPs.
5. Use a FinOps Partner (like SquareOps)
FinOps teams help eliminate cloud waste, optimize workloads, and reduce costs continuously, something credits alone cannot do.
GCP Credits vs AWS Credits vs Azure Credits (2025 Comparison)
Many founders compare cloud credit programs before choosing a primary cloud provider. While GCP, AWS, and Azure all offer startup credits, the amounts, eligibility rules, and ease of approval differ significantly.
Here is a simplified comparison for 2025:
| Cloud Provider | Max Startup Credits Offered | Ease of Approval | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCP | Up to $350,000 | Medium | AI/ML workloads, analytics, startups |
| AWS | $10,000 – $100,000+ | Hard | SaaS, enterprise, marketplace apps |
| Azure | Up to $150,000 | Easy | Enterprise B2B apps, Microsoft stack |
Why Many Startups Prefer GCP for AI/ML
- Native integration with TensorFlow & TPU workloads
- Vertex AI reduces operational overhead
- Generous credit tiers for scaling compute workloads
Why Some Startups Choose AWS Instead
- Broader ecosystem
- Enterprise-ready services
- Largest global infrastructure footprint
Where Azure Wins
- Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration (Teams, Active Directory, Office 365)
- Strong enterprise incentives
Overall:
GCP offers the highest credit potential for early-stage and AI-driven startups, making it a top choice for ML-heavy teams.
How Startups Waste GCP Credits (and How to Extend Lifespan)
Many US startups burn through their GCP credits far faster than expected sometimes in just a few months. Credits are meant to extend your runway, not disappear due to avoidable waste. Understanding how credits are unintentionally consumed helps founders stretch them for 6–18 months instead of 4–6 weeks.
1. Leaving GPUs & TPUs Running 24/7
AI/ML training resources are extremely expensive.
Startups often forget to shut them down, burning hundreds per hour.
Fix: Always use scheduled shutdowns and autoscaling.
2. Using On-Demand VMs Instead of CUDs or Spot Instances
On-demand pricing is the most expensive tier.
Fix:
- For steady workloads → use Committed Use Discounts (up to 70% off)
- For flexible workloads → use Spot VMs (up to 90% off)
3. Excessively Large VM Sizes
Most teams run far more CPU/RAM than they need.
Fix: Rightsize instances based on actual usage metrics.
4. Unused Disks, Snapshots, and IPs
GCP charges for every resource, even if not connected.
Fix: Regularly clean up orphaned volumes, snapshots, and addresses.
5. Over-Logging and Excessive BigQuery Queries
BigQuery and Cloud Logging can quietly burn hundreds in a day.
Fix:
- Set logging retention limits
- Use BigQuery cost controls
- Avoid SELECT * queries on large datasets
6. Always-on Development Environments
Dev/test environments running every hour of every day burn credit unnecessarily.
Fix: Use scheduled shutdowns or ephemeral CI environments.
7. No FinOps Practices
Without monitoring or alerts, credits drain silently.
Fix: Implement budgets, alerts, and weekly cost reports.
When managed properly, GCP credits can last 3× longer and support real product growth instead of disappearing through waste.
How SquareOps Helps Startups Reduce GCP Spend by 30–60%
Even with generous credits, most startups struggle to control long-term GCP costs. As workloads mature, model training intensifies, and customer usage increases, cloud bills begin to climb dramatically. This is where SquareOps becomes a strategic partner not just reducing spend, but helping you build a scalable, cost-efficient cloud foundation.
1. FinOps Analysis to Identify Hidden Waste
SquareOps audits your entire GCP environment to uncover:
- Idle compute
- Oversized GPUs/TPUs
- Orphaned disks & snapshots
- Inefficient logging
- Redundant ML workloads
- Misconfigured autoscaling
Most teams overspend by 30–50% without realizing it.
2. Architecture Optimization for AI, Data & SaaS Workloads
SquareOps designs cost-efficient architectures tailored to your use case:
- Vertex AI pipelines that auto-scale
- Efficient BigQuery partitioning
- Optimized model training clusters
- High-performance + low-cost storage layers
3. Discount Strategy (CUDs, Spot, Sustained Use Discounts)
SquareOps shifts your workloads from expensive on-demand pricing to the best mix of:
- Committed Use Discounts
- Spot VMs
- Sustained Use Discounts
- GPU/TPU optimization strategies
4. Credits Utilization Planning
SquareOps helps startups stretch their credits to last 2–3× longer through smart resource scheduling and environment separation.
5. 24×7 Monitoring & Automated Cost Controls
Real-time alerts prevent sudden credit burn from runaway queries, loops, or misconfigurations.
Startups working with SquareOps typically save 30–60% in monthly GCP costs without sacrificing performance.
Save Up to 60% on Your GCP Bill with SquareOps
Buying GCP credits isn’t legal but cutting your cloud costs is.
SquareOps helps US startups optimize Google Cloud using proven FinOps, architecture tuning, and discount strategies so you spend less without slowing growth.
With SquareOps, you get:
- Deep GCP cost & waste audit (GPUs, BigQuery, storage, VMs)
- Rightsizing + Spot VM + CUD optimization plan
- Immediate savings roadmap in days
- Fully compliant, zero-risk approach
- Experts trusted by fast-growing startups
Get a Free GCP Cost Optimization Audit from SquareOps
Discover how much you can save before your next bill hits.
Frequently asked questions
No. Google Cloud credits cannot be bought, sold, transferred, or resold under Google’s Terms of Service.
Google can suspend your account, revoke credits, bill used amounts, and permanently block future startup benefits.
Because GCP costs are high in 2025, especially for AI/ML workloads, and many startups don’t qualify for official credits.
No. Credits are tied to the specific billing account that receives them.
Through Google for Startups, VC or accelerator partners, migration programs, nonprofits, or research credits.
Eligible startups can receive anywhere from $2,000 up to $350,000, depending on stage and program.
No. Most use stolen cards or misused accounts, putting your startup at serious legal and financial risk.
You can reduce costs legally using Committed Use Discounts, Spot VMs, autoscaling, and FinOps optimization.
Yes. GCP generally offers higher startup credit amounts, especially for AI and data-driven startups.
SquareOps applies FinOps practices, architecture optimization, discounts, and monitoring to cut GCP spend by 30–60%.
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