We Applied for AWS Activate and Got $1,000 in Cloud Credits: Here's How

We applied to AWS Startups for Chattr, a Twitch-focused social network. Approval was quick; we received \$1,000 in AWS credits, and Chattr is now on the AWS Startups Showcase. Here's how simple the process was, which could help other solo devs or small teams on AWS.

Before diving in, let me explain what Chattr is

Chattr is a social network designed specifically for the Twitch community. Unlike general social platforms, it lets you sign in directly with your Twitch account-no extra registration. You get a feed to post updates, share Twitch clips, use Twitch emotes for reactions, and receive immediate live stream alerts when someone you follow goes live. This uniquely connects streamers and their audiences outside of live streams, all in one place built for Twitch culture.

The stack is Laravel 13 + React (via Inertia.js v3), deployed on AWS using ECS Fargate, RDS PostgreSQL, CloudFront, S3, and Reverb for WebSockets. So AWS wasn't an afterthought - it's the entire infrastructure.

Before sharing more, it's helpful to clarify what AWS Activate is