How founders save $50K+ in their first year
Real strategies from successful founders who used Cliqte deals to extend runway and reinvest savings into growth.
Key takeaways
- Combine cloud credits, banking deals, and software discounts
- AWS Activate + Google Cloud can save $50K+ in infrastructure
- Brex and Mercury banking deals save $5K-$12K annually
- Software discounts (Notion, Stripe, HubSpot) save $5K-$10K
- Total first-year savings often exceed $50K for well-planned startups
The cloud credits strategy
Infrastructure is often a startup's largest expense after payroll. Cloud credits can eliminate this cost entirely in your first year.
Successful founders combine AWS Activate ($10K-$100K), Google Cloud for Startups ($2K-$100K), and Vercel Pro ($240/year free). This multi-cloud approach maximizes credits while reducing vendor lock-in.
One founder we interviewed saved $85K in cloud costs during their pre-seed stage by strategically claiming credits from all three providers. This gave them the infrastructure budget of a Series B company while they were still pre-seed.
Real example: TechFlow AI
TechFlow AI claimed AWS Activate credits ($50K), Google Cloud credits ($30K), and Vercel Pro (free). Total infrastructure savings: $80K+ in their first year.
They used AWS for compute, Google Cloud for AI/ML workloads, and Vercel for frontend hosting. This multi-cloud strategy maximized credits while building on best-in-class services.
Banking and fintech deals
Banking fees add up quickly. Business bank accounts, payment processing, and credit card fees can cost $5K-$15K annually.
Brex and Mercury offer fee-free business banking with additional benefits. Brex provides card rewards and no personal guarantees. Mercury offers fee-free accounts with startup-friendly features.
One fintech founder saved $12K in their first year by switching to Brex (card rewards) and Mercury (fee-free banking). The savings compounded monthly as transaction volume grew.
"Banking deals transformed our unit economics. The savings compound every month as we scale."
Save thousands on the software your startup needs
Join thousands of founders who are already saving on AWS credits, banking deals, and exclusive software discounts. Start saving today.
Software and SaaS discounts
Your software stack can cost $10K-$30K annually. Strategic deal claiming can reduce this by 50-70%.
Notion for Startups offers $1,000 in credits plus 6 months free. Stripe offers fee waivers for the first $1M in processing. HubSpot provides significant discounts for startups.
Combine these with other tool deals (Airtable, Postman, Retool) and you can build your entire stack for 70% less than retail pricing.
- Notion: $1,000 credits + 6 months free
- Stripe: Fee waiver on first $1M
- HubSpot: 50-70% discount for startups
- Airtable: 1 year Pro free ($240/seat)
- Postman: 12 months Team free ($588)
The $50K+ strategy
Here's how successful founders combine deals to save $50K+:
1. Cloud credits: $30K-$80K (AWS + GCP + Vercel) 2. Banking deals: $5K-$12K (Brex + Mercury) 3. Software discounts: $5K-$10K (Notion + Stripe + HubSpot + others) 4. AI credits: $5K-$10K (OpenAI, Anthropic startup programs)
Total: $45K-$112K in first-year savings.
The key is claiming deals early and using them strategically. Don't wait until you need infrastructure—claim credits before you scale.
Timing matters
Claim deals as early as possible. Cloud credits are easier to get when you're pre-revenue or early-stage. Once you're generating significant revenue, some programs become ineligible.
Apply for AWS Activate and Google Cloud credits immediately after accelerator acceptance or seed funding. These programs have the highest approval rates for early-stage startups.
About the author
Team Cliqte
Cliqte Research Team
We analyze how successful founders maximize savings and extend runway through strategic deal claiming.
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Save thousands on the software your startup needs
Join thousands of founders who are already saving on AWS credits, banking deals, and exclusive software discounts. Start saving today.