Developer Ambassador Programs
Google Developer Expert (GDE)
Google's most prestigious external developer recognition. Referral-only with ~1,400+ members globally. Perks: Sponsored travel to Google I/O, DevFest, and conferences worldwide, early access to Google products, featured in GDE directory, insight calls with product teams Categories: Android, Cloud, ML/AI, Web, Firebase, Flutter, Angular Eligibility: Must be referred by existing GDE or Googler Term: 1 year (renewable)
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
Nomination-only elite program with ~4,000 MVPs across 90+ countries. The gold standard for Microsoft ecosystem expertise. Perks: Visual Studio Enterprise, Azure credits, GitHub Copilot, Office 365, LinkedIn Learning, early NDA product access, executive recognition letter + trophy Top Benefit: Annual MVP Summit at Microsoft HQ (travel supported) Categories: 11 award areas including Azure, AI, Developer Technologies Eligibility: Nomination only, 1 year term
AWS Hero
The most prestigious AWS recognition. Extremely selective with small quarterly cohorts. Cannot self-nominate. Perks: Exclusive access to AWS resources/experts/events, speaking at re:Invent and Summits, direct connection to product teams Categories: Community, Container, Data, DevTools, IoT, ML, Serverless, Security Eligibility: AWS-nominated only, ongoing term
GitHub Stars
Nomination-only program recognizing outstanding community leaders. Anyone can nominate, but you cannot self-nominate. Perks: Early access to GitHub features, exclusive insight calls with GitHub HQ, featured on stars.github.com, social media recognition, exclusive swag Extras: Continued education opportunities Term: 1 year, annual renewal subject to GitHub review
Docker Captain
Docker's expert community program for deep container ecosystem contributors. Perks: Early/beta access to Docker products, education budget, private Slack with Captains + Docker staff, biweekly briefings, Docker Pro discounts Top Benefit: Annual Docker Captains event, speaking at DockerCon Eligibility: Application or referral. Requires deep Docker expertise + 5,000+ monthly content views OR Docker team endorsement. Term: 1 year
CNCF Cloud Native Ambassador
Official ambassador for the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. One of the best-compensated non-paid ambassador programs. Stipend: $150/month reimbursement for hosting meetups/events Perks: Free access to ALL Linux Foundation certifications (CKA, CKAD, CKS — worth $1,000s), KubeCon event discounts, professional speaking coaching Community: Global network of ~140 ambassadors Eligibility: 20+ DevStats score or 1+ year community leadership. Applications reopen 2026. Term: 2 years
AWS Community Builder
AWS's accessible expert program for active community contributors. More achievable than AWS Hero. Perks: $500 AWS credits annually, 100% certification exam vouchers (all levels), 1 year free QA subscription, publishing on community.aws Access: Exclusive Slack with AWS service teams, NDA webinars previewing new services, beta access, CFP opportunities at AWS events Applications: Open ~first week of January for ~2 weeks Term: 1 year
Cursor Ambassador
Intentionally small program with unusually direct access to the development team. Perks: Special badge in Cursor forum, funding for community meetups, early access to features and product direction Top Benefit: Direct daily contact with Cursor development team Role: Help troubleshoot users, host meetups/hackathons, share expertise, provide product feedback, moderate community Term: Ongoing
Lovable Ambassador
Global community of builders at the heart of Lovable, the AI app builder valued at $6.6B. Currently waitlist-based. Perks: Exclusive access to early product drops, private workshops with Lovable team, and special perks Role: Help shape the future of software creation Eligibility: Waitlist-based, ongoing term