Startup Credits
Startup Credits & Programs
Free and heavily discounted credits for early-stage startups — distinct from coupon deals. Cloud computing, AI APIs, and SaaS tools across AWS, GCP, Azure, IBM, Anthropic, OpenAI, HubSpot, Mixpanel, GitHub, and more.
269+ programs across cloud, AI, and SaaS. Credit amounts, eligibility requirements, application links, and honest verdicts on which programs are worth your time — including 29+ accessible without a VC. Updated May 2026.
Cloud Provider Credits
Free cloud infrastructure credits from AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Oracle and more for early-stage startups.
AI Platform Credits
API credits and free access to leading AI models -- Anthropic, OpenAI, Mistral, Together AI and more for startups building with AI.
SaaS Startup Programs
Discounted and free access to top SaaS tools -- CRM, support, analytics, and infrastructure -- through official startup programs.
The bootstrapped startup credits stack
Over $230K in cloud credits and $125K+ in AI credits accessible without any investor or accelerator affiliation. IBM Cloud ($120K), Cloudflare (BOOTSTRAPPED code), Oracle, Vultr, Anthropic, PostHog, GitHub for Startups, and more.
All startup credit programs (269)
Heroku Open Source Software Credit Program
Receive monthly platform credits for 12 months designed to support open source software projects hosted on Heroku.
Hootsuite Nonprofit Discount (HootGiving Program)
Eligible nonprofit organizations can access Hootsuite Professional or Team plans at up to 75% off regular pricing through the HootGiving Program.
Huawei Cloud Startup Program
Huawei Cloud offers a comprehensive startup program that empowers early-stage companies with up to USD 150,000 in cloud credits, dedicated migration support, en
IBM for Startups
Partner with IBM for Startups to accelerate innovation with IBM AI, scale globally, and present your solution to enterprises and investors—no cost, no equity re
InfluxDB $250 Trial
Enjoy a $250 credit for 30 days to explore InfluxDB Cloud Serverless, a fully-managed, elastic, and pay-as-you-go time-series database optimized for smaller wor
Intercom Early Stage Program for Startups
Startups receive a 90% discount on Intercom's AI-first customer service platform, enabling businesses to maximize efficiency and savings, and start more valuabl
IonQ Research Credits Program
The IonQ Research Credits Program offers up to $10,000 in free credits for time on their quantum computers to qualified academics, supporting the future of quan
JetBrains Startup Program
JetBrains offers startups an exclusive 50% discount on its suite of developer tools, providing long-term access and support to accelerate innovation.
Jotform Nonprofit & Education Program
Qualified nonprofit organizations and educational institutions save 50% on Jotform plans with specialized tools for their unique needs
Koyeb Startup Program
Get up to $30k of compute credits and specialized support to accelerate go-to-market for early-stage startups. The program offers high-performance cloud infrast
Linear Startup Program
The Linear Startup Program offers early-stage startups up to 6 months of free access to Linear's premium project management tools, designed to streamline produc
LinkedIn Premium Subscription Offer for Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Members
Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub members receive 75% off LinkedIn Sales Navigator Core, Recruiter Lite, and Premium Business subscriptions for four months, p
LiveAgent Startup Program
Get 6 months completely free of LiveAgent's Large plan plus 6 additional months at 50% off - comprehensive multi-channel customer support platform for early-sta
LlamaCloud Free Credits
Get 10,000 free credits for production-grade document intelligence with LlamaCloud's enterprise-grade parsing, extraction, and indexing platform
Mailchimp Free Plan
Free forever email marketing plan with up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly email sends, perfect for small businesses and startups
Make Startup Program
Unlock your startup's potential with free access to Make's visual no-code automation engine and operational credits tailored to your growth stage.
MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program
Provides early-stage companies with affordable access to MATLAB, Simulink, and specialized toolboxes, enabling rapid prototyping and production development with
Mem0 Startup Program
Get free API credits to build personalized AI applications with Mem0's persistent memory platform designed for AI agents and applications
How to stack startup credits in 2026
- 01
Apply to cloud credits first — highest dollar value
Cloud credits have the highest dollar value ($100K–$350K) and compound longest. Apply to AWS Activate Founders ($1K, instant, no VC) and GCP startup credits on day one. Then add Microsoft Founders Hub, IBM Cloud, Oracle, and Cloudflare (BOOTSTRAPPED code) for bootstrapped teams. - 02
Unlock AI credits through your accelerator for maximum amounts
Anthropic ($25K–$100K) and OpenAI ($2.5K–$100K) credits scale with your accelerator or VC affiliation. Apply through your program benefits dashboard for the top tier. Without a partner, apply directly for the base tier — both accept direct applications. - 03
GitHub for Startups — most founders never apply
GitHub for Startups offers $10K in platform credits plus up to $40K in non-dilutive cash. Direct application — under 5 years old and under $1M raised. Apply immediately at github.com/solutions/startups. Most qualifying founders have never heard of this program. - 04
Check the bootstrapped track before assuming you need a VC
Over $230K in cloud credits is accessible without any investor affiliation: IBM Cloud ($120K), Vultr ($100K), Cloudflare (code BOOTSTRAPPED, up to $250K), Oracle ($10K), and AWS Activate Founders ($1K instant). Plus $125K+ in AI credits with direct apply. - 05
Model credit expiry before activating
Credits with 12-month validity (Oracle, GCP, IBM) should not be activated until you have real infrastructure usage. AWS Activate credits are valid 24 months — the safest to activate early. Activate close to your launch date to maximise value. - 06
Stack programs — they are not exclusive
There is no rule against holding credits from multiple providers simultaneously. Most funded startups run AWS + GCP + Azure + Anthropic + OpenAI + Datadog credits at the same time. Apply to all programs you qualify for — the applications are independent.
Startup credits — frequently asked questions
What are startup credits? +
Startup credits are free cloud, AI, and SaaS access programs offered by software companies to early-stage startups. They typically provide $1K–$350K in credits toward cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure), AI APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI), and SaaS tools (HubSpot, Intercom, Mixpanel). The goal is to lower your infrastructure costs during development and early revenue stages.
How much can a startup get in total credits in 2026? +
A startup that qualifies for all major programs can access over $1M in total credits across cloud, AI, and SaaS. Realistically, most funded startups access $200K–$500K. Bootstrapped startups without VC affiliation can access $230K+ in cloud credits and $125K+ in AI credits through direct-apply programs.
Do I need to be VC-backed to get startup credits? +
No. Many high-value programs accept direct applications with no investor or accelerator affiliation: IBM Cloud for Startups ($120K), Cloudflare for Startups (BOOTSTRAPPED code, up to $250K), Oracle for Startups ($10K), Vultr ($100K), AWS Activate Founders ($1K instant), Anthropic for Startups ($25K), Together AI ($50K), PostHog ($50K), and GitHub for Startups ($50K + $40K cash).
Which startup credit programs are easiest to get? +
AWS Activate Founders approves automatically the same day with no partner required. NVIDIA Inception is free with instant access. Twilio for Startups ($5K) approves same-day with direct application. IBM Cloud, Oracle, and Anthropic direct-apply tiers typically approve in 3–10 business days.
Can I stack startup credits from multiple providers? +
Yes — startup credit programs are independent and non-exclusive. There is no rule preventing you from holding credits from AWS, GCP, Azure, IBM, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Mixpanel simultaneously. Most funded startups do exactly this. Apply to every program you qualify for.
How do I apply for startup credits? +
Each program has its own application. For instant programs: apply directly at the provider website (AWS, Twilio, NVIDIA). For partner-gated programs: log into your accelerator or VC benefits portal (Y Combinator Bookface, a16z portfolio hub, etc.) and access the credit links there. For direct-apply programs: apply at the provider website with your company details.