Path to getting developer access token for small startup

[Peng]

Hey I'm new here so forgive me if the question has been asked and answered (I did search but couldn't find similar questions). We're a small startup and have some business ideas around helping advertisers manage their cross network campaigns, which inevitably, requires access to Google AdWords API (how can we do it without Google?). However, when I try to apply for access token, I got reply saying that based on historical data my account doesn't manage large number of AdWords accounts. If having already managed large amount of AdWords accounts is a prerequisite for getting developer access token, how could any startup SEM got it. I'm sure no one started with managing million dollar campaign budget. Without the developer token, how could the startup grow their business and manage more accounts? It's a chicken-and-egg problem.

So my question is, what the typical path for a small startup SEM type company to obtain developer access token. Of course we can continue develop our application with test MCC account, but would like to make sure there is indeed a path to make it real eventually.

Any suggestion, feedback, comments are appreciated.

[Josh Radcliff (AdWords API Team)]

Hi,

For questions related to applying for a developer token, please contact the API Compliance Team via this form.

Thanks,

Josh, AdWords API Team