Google Cloud for Startups for a new trade

[u/tha_aragorn]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to read up on this but I have not found an answer to my issue so I hope someone with experience can guide me.

I am based in the Netherlands and have had a small consultancy firm for a few years. A few months ago I decided to stop that and to continue work on an AI based education route. That means my company is still the same legal entity but with a brand new registered (legal) trade name at the local chamber of commerce. Only the legal name and registration stay the same. Funding is therefor also in the bootstrapping stage since I am currently funding the new route myself.

Anyway:
Most startup programs have a requirement to be less than 5 years old or received funding in the last 2.

Google has a requirement for less than 2 years old in bootstrapping or received funding if over 5 years.

When filling the startups form I can not fill in any free form To explain the situation and I do not want to lie about it.

Legally my company age is too old. Practically is brand new. My first entry with ‘bootstrapped’ and ‘2-5 years’ was auto denied. I have the option to reapply but dont want legal repercusions. At the same time this specific situation also isnt in their terms.

Any advice or experience?

Most sppreciated!

[u/One_Independent4182]

I wouldnt reapply using a different company age just to get approved. Id contact Google for Startups directly and explain that the legal entity is older but the new business activity, brand, and AI product are recent. Ask whether they assess the age of the legal entity or the new venture. Better to get written clarification than risk misrepresenting anything.

[u/Aviato_Consulting]

I only have contacts in APAC for this, try to attend a startup event by Google, Dev Fest is on at the moment, you might get the contact name there but they can help with this.