Q: Where can I find the application form?

You can find the application form here .

Question 1

Why did Aiven launch the Cluster startup program?

Accepted Answer

Startup programs were critical to our early development and success, and their support helped us grow into the Unicorn we are today. As Aiven has now reached a maturity level where we are in a position to give back, we want to support other startups in their journey, helping them to scale up and grow.

Question 2

What does Aiven actually do?

Accepted Answer

In short, Aiven makes setting up cloud databases and the infrastructure needed for them to operate so simple that anyone can do it.

In a way, you could think of us as the plumbers of the internet. Our console lets developers and software architects set up their databases and get familiar tools on all major cloud platforms (like Google, AWS or Azure) in a matter of minutes. It’s simple, secure, and everything is open source, so you keep control of all your data. You can move it between cloud regions and providers, duplicate it, and do whatever you want with it – and you don’t have to jump through hoops to do it.

We provide a selection of reliable, open source products – tools like Apache Kafka, PostgreSQL, MySQL, M3, InfluxDB, OpenSearch, and more – that you can install at the click of a button.

But while we make it simple to set up your data, it’s what you do with it next that’s where the awesome happens.

Question 3

Where can I find the application form?

Accepted Answer

You can find the application form here.

Question 4

What are the eligibility criteria for startups?

Accepted Answer

To be eligible to apply to Aiven Cluster startup program, you need:

Proof of affiliation with an approved network partner (VC, accelerator, incubator, or co-working space)*
Maximum startup age: 7 years
Startup funding no greater than Series B
A company website and associated email address

*If you are not affiliated with one of our partners, you can still apply and will qualify for maximum $12,000 in credits. We still require that you provide proof of having fundraised.

The Cluster startup program is only available to innovative technology companies and at the moment is not open to agencies, consulting companies, NGOs or educational institutions.

Question 5

What factors influence the amount of credits that Aiven will provide?

Accepted Answer

The amount of credits you are eligible for depends on:

wether or not you are affiliated with one of the Aiven partners
which partner you are affiliated with
whether or not you have raised funding from investors

Please check the eligibility criteria and if you have any questions, send us an email at cluster@aiven.io.

Question 6

Where can I find the full list of network partners affiliated with Aiven Cluster?

Accepted Answer

Here is a full list of partners associated with Aiven Cluster.

Question 7

I am not associated with any of the Cluster program partners. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

No problem. We’ve created a lower credit tier for startups not associated with our partners. You can still apply and if you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be able to join the program and receive $12,000 in credits.

Please note that you will need to have raised funding in order to qualify for the credits.

Question 8

How can we participate if we don’t have investor backing?

Accepted Answer

If you haven't raised funding yet, you can still apply as long as you are affiliated with one of Cluster's accelerator, incubator or co-working space partners.

Question 9

Can existing Aiven customers apply to the Cluster startup program?

Accepted Answer

Yes - providing you meet the eligibility criteria.

Question 10

What is the application process and timeline?

Accepted Answer

Applications are accepted and considered continually, with new participants selected each month. Once you apply, please give us 14 days to review your application and, if needed, get back to you with any additional questions.

Newly accepted startups join the program on the first Monday of every month. Joint kick-off calls for new participants are held quarterly.

Please note that Aiven reserves the right to change the schedule as necessary.

Question 11

Seriously? Up to $100,000 credits? What can I do with that?

Accepted Answer

Yes, seriously! You can use the startup program credits over 12 months to purchase the services, cloud data plans, and additional support that you need to build a modern modern data infrastructure.

What you build with our services is entirely up to you.

With 100K of Aiven credits, you could run a beefy PostgreSQL instance with 2TB of storage and half a terabyte of RAM (business-512) for 6 months. Or, you could take a modest Kafka Business-8 package ... and run that with plenty of spare credits left over for something else.

For a more complete package, how about a serious PostgreSQL business-64 service with workhorse OpenSearch business-32 service, a Redis business-64 for caching to keep your apps running nicely, an M3 for all your metrics (business-16 should do nicely) and Grafana to keep an eye on things - and you can run that for a year.

Question 12

How does Aiven promote startups in the program?

Accepted Answer

We conduct interviews with the most active startups in the program and promote them through our channels, for example, Linkedin, Twitter, blog posts, etc. See an example here.

Question 13

What are the terms and conditions of the Cluster startup program?

Accepted Answer

When an applicant submits the application form, the applicant must agree to acknowledge that the use of the Aiven services is subject to Aiven online T&Cs which are to be accepted when signing in to the Aiven console, and that Aiven may always stop giving free credits or cancel any credits given.

The amount of credits awarded to successful applicants is up to $100,000 depending on the use of services.

Aiven reserves the right to cancel credits in order to be able to react in the event participant would breach the online T&Cs or would otherwise use the credits against the purpose of the Cluster program.

Question 14

What happens if I don’t use all my credits within the year?

Accepted Answer

Your credits are valid for 12 months, so if you haven’t used them by the end of the program, they will expire.

Question 15

I want to join the program but I am not ready to use the credits right away. Should I still apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you should still apply and indicate in the application form that you would like to start using credits later on. We can then discuss the best starting date for you.

Question 16

How many credits can I get?

Accepted Answer

The credit value depends on which partner you are affiliated with and can be as high as $100,000. If you are not affiliated with a Cluster partner, you can qualify for $12,000. Once you fill out the application form, we will let you know how many credits you are eligible for.

Question 17

Can I apply for credits more than once?

Accepted Answer

No. You can only receive Cluster credits once.

Question 18

What technical support does Aiven offer & how do I access it?

Accepted Answer

Aiven operates 24/7/365 monitoring on the Cloud Services and Aiven's personnel will be automatically alerted on any service anomalies. Aiven's personnel will commence work on any issues in system operations requiring manual intervention without delay.

For Cluster program participants, Aiven provides Basic level support without separate charge through email regarding problems related to using and accessing the Aiven Cloud Services. Responses are provided on a best-effort basis during the same or next business day.

You can read more about the support Aiven offers on https://aiven.io/support-services.

To access support, you will need to log a support ticket through the Aiven console.

Question 19

I started out on the lowest credit tier and I am now affiliated with one of the Cluster partners. Can I get more credits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can access the difference between the lowest tier and the amount you are eligible for through affiliation with our partner. We can’t extend the time frame when you can use the credits, but we can grant you the difference. Reach out to us at cluster@aiven.io to discuss the details.

Question 20

Do I have to continue using Aiven after the Cluster program ends?

Accepted Answer

We don’t ask you to commit to using Aiven after you run out of credits. However, we think that you are going to like the product and and hope you'll stay with Aiven for the long run.

Question 21

About Aiven & the Cluster startup program

Accepted Answer

Why did Aiven launch the Cluster startup program?

Scale up your startup

Everything you need to get things done

Benefits for selected startups

Credits

Knowledge

Promotion

Support

Events

Freedom

What Cluster startups say about Aiven

Eligibility Criteria

Maximum 7 years old

Fundraising

Business email address

Cluster partner network

Invest in startups – with Aiven

Cluster FAQ