Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program

A 3-year program: up to $120K in Akamai/Linode cloud credits in year one then tiered discounts, with generous eligibility (under 7 years old).

Akamai (Linode)Updated monthly · checked 3 h ago

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program is a cloud and infrastructure perk from Akamai (Linode) worth up to US$120,000 in cloud credits during the first year, for startups under 7 years old.

Value: Up to $120K
Who qualifies: Any startup
Benefit type: Credits
Terms: Verified

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While you apply

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What you get

Inside Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program

$500 in infrastructure credits immediately, up to $120,000 in cloud credits in year one (final amount set after a review interview), then 50% off year two and 25% off year three. Includes 20 free hours of consulting and a dedicated account manager.

Source: The provider's official program page (akamai.com/cloud/start-ups/rise) · as of Nov 14, 2026

Eligibility

Who it's for

Pre-seed Seed Series A

Funding / backing: Any startup
Startup stage: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
Company age: Under 7 years old
Geography: Global
Recurring / expiry: 3-year program: credits year 1, discounts years 2-3.
Other requirements: Under 7 years old, working website, corporate email, and at least one of: paid employees beyond founders, active external users, or initial revenue. Prioritizes SaaS, media, gaming.

How to claim

How to apply for Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program

What to have ready

A live company website or product URL
Confirmation you were founded within the last 7 years

Steps to apply

1Apply on Akamai's Rise start-up program page and complete the review interview.

Good to know: linode.com/start-ups/rise now redirects to akamai.com/cloud/start-ups/rise, which states up to US$120,000 in cloud credits during the first year.

Apply at Akamai (Linode)

Source: The provider's official program page (akamai.com/cloud/start-ups/rise) · as of Nov 14, 2026

Confirmed on November 14, 2026: the page still states “Rise is a three-year start-up program from Akamai Cloud that provides up to US$120,000 in cloud credits during the first year”

Value is the headline maximum Akamai (Linode) advertises. What your company actually receives depends on your eligibility and how you use the program, and terms can change. A comparison, not endorsed by the programs listed. A program labeled Same owner comes from the company that runs StartupPerks. Confirm current terms on the provider's page.

If you don't qualify

Compare other cloud & infrastructure programs

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program has eligibility restrictions. These alternatives have no accelerator or investor requirement. Check each provider’s current terms and availability.

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Questions

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program: common questions

How much is Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program worth?

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program is worth up to US$120,000 in cloud credits during the first year.

Who qualifies for Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program?

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program is for pre-seed, seed and Series A startups under 7 years old. Under 7 years old, working website, corporate email, and at least one of: paid employees beyond founders, active external users, or initial revenue. Prioritizes SaaS, media, gaming.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program?

No. Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.

How do I apply for Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program?

Apply on Akamai's Rise start-up program page and complete the review interview.

How long do I have to use Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program, and does it expire?

3-year program: credits year 1, discounts years 2-3.

Is Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program available outside the US?

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Has Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program changed its terms?

Not in our reads. We have read Akamai (Linode)'s page for it 3 times since August 31, 2026, most recently on November 9, 2026. None of them found a different figure or a change in whether it takes applications.

Terms history

Akamai Cloud Rise Startup Program's terms over time

We have read Akamai (Linode)'s page for it (akamai.com/cloud/start-ups/rise) 3 times since August 31, 2026, most recently on November 9, 2026. No read has found a different figure or a change in whether it takes applications.

Every startup program change we found this quarter