Updated for 2025
Free Startup Credits
& Grants Directory
The most comprehensive collection of free startup credit programs worth over $1M+ in combined value across 49+ programs in 8 categories. From cloud infrastructure credits to AI API access, developer tools, analytics platforms, and more — every credit your startup can claim, all in one place.
$1M+
Total Credits Value
Combined value of all startup credit programs in our directory
49+
Credit Programs
Individual startup credit and discount programs tracked
8
Categories
From cloud infrastructure to AI, analytics, and more
9
Featured Programs
Hand-picked highest-value programs for early-stage startups
Why Claim Startup Credits?
Free startup credits are one of the most underutilized advantages available to early-stage companies. Here is why every founder should be claiming them.
Extend Your Runway
Cloud infrastructure, AI APIs, and SaaS tools are among the largest cost centers for startups. By claiming free credits, you can stretch your cash runway by 6 to 18 months — giving you more time to achieve product-market fit before your next fundraise.
Access Enterprise Tools from Day One
Startup credit programs give you access to the same enterprise-grade tools that Fortune 500 companies use — without the enterprise price tag. Ship with production-quality infrastructure, security, and observability from your first commit.
Reduce Burn Rate
Every dollar saved on infrastructure is a dollar you can invest in hiring, marketing, or product development. Startups that actively claim credits report 30-50% lower monthly burn rates, making them more capital-efficient and attractive to investors.
Focus on Product, Not Costs
When you are not worrying about spiraling cloud bills or hitting API rate limits, your engineering team can focus on what matters most: building a great product and shipping features that drive growth and delight your users.
Top Startup Credit Programs
Hand-picked programs offering the highest value for early-stage startups. These are the credits every founder should apply for first.
Google Cloud
Up to $350,000
Up to $350,000 in cloud credits over two years for startups
Cloudflare
Up to $250,000
Up to $250,000 in credits for Developer Platform, Workers, R2, and enterprise security
Microsoft for Startups
Up to $150,000
Up to $150,000 in Azure credits plus access to advanced AI services, GPUs, and go-to-market support
AWS Activate
Up to $100,000
Up to $100,000 in AWS credits covering EC2, S3, Lambda, Bedrock AI models, and 200+ services
Anthropic
Free API credits
Free Claude API credits with highest publicly available rate limits and exclusive founder events
Mixpanel
1 year free (1B events)
First year free with up to 1 billion events, Session Replay, Web Analytics, and no feature limits
PostHog
$50,000
$50,000 in credits plus exclusive merch and partner benefits from Incident.io, Speakeasy, and Chroma
GitHub
20 seats free Enterprise
20 seats free GitHub Enterprise for 1 year plus 50% off Advanced Security, in a 30K+ startup network
Stripe Atlas
$50K+ in perks
Delaware C-Corp/LLC formation ($500) with $2,500 Stripe credits, $5K AWS credits, and $50K in partner perks
Browse Credits by Category
Explore startup credit programs across 8 categories covering every tool and service your startup needs to build, launch, and scale.
Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud computing credits and infrastructure services
7 credits available
AI & ML Platforms
Artificial intelligence and machine learning API credits
4 credits available
Database Services
Database hosting, management, and scaling credits
6 credits available
Analytics & Monitoring
Product analytics, monitoring, and observability tools
6 credits available
Developer Tools
Development platforms, CI/CD, and productivity tools
8 credits available
Communication
Email, messaging, and customer communication platforms
5 credits available
Design & Collaboration
Design tools, project management, and team collaboration
5 credits available
Other Services
Incorporation, fintech, legal, HR, and other essential services
8 credits available
All Startup Credit Programs
Complete list of 49+ free startup credit programs, grants, and discounts. Click any program to view full details, eligibility requirements, and application links.
| Program | Category | Value | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
GC Google CloudFeatured | Cloud Infrastructure | Up to $350,000 | View |
CF CloudflareFeatured | Cloud Infrastructure | Up to $250,000 | View |
MS Microsoft for StartupsFeatured | Cloud Infrastructure | Up to $150,000 | View |
AWS AWS ActivateFeatured | Cloud Infrastructure | Up to $100,000 | View |
| Cloud Infrastructure | Up to $100,000 | View | |
OV | Cloud Infrastructure | Up to €100,000 | View |
VC | Cloud Infrastructure | $2,400 | View |
AN AnthropicFeatured | AI & ML Platforms | Free API credits | View |
| AI & ML Platforms | $5,000 + Enterprise Pro | View | |
| AI & ML Platforms | 33M characters (~$4,000+) | View | |
OA | AI & ML Platforms | Up to $50,000 | View |
MG | Database Services | Tiered credits | View |
| Database Services | $12,750 value | View | |
SB | Database Services | Up to $300 | View |
| Database Services | Varies | View | |
MP MixpanelFeatured | Analytics & Monitoring | 1 year free (1B events) | View |
PH PostHogFeatured | Analytics & Monitoring | $50,000 | View |
| Analytics & Monitoring | Up to $50,000 + $1M partner credits | View | |
| Analytics & Monitoring | 1 year free (1.2B events) | View | |
DD | Analytics & Monitoring | Up to $100,000 | View |
ST | Analytics & Monitoring | Free tier + startup pricing | View |
RT | Developer Tools | Up to $60,000 | View |
AL | Developer Tools | $10,000 | View |
GH GitHubFeatured | Developer Tools | 20 seats free Enterprise | View |
LN | Developer Tools | Up to 6 months free | View |
| Developer Tools | 12 months free (50 users) | View | |
TW | Communication | Up to $10,000 | View |
IC | Communication | 90% off + Fin AI free | View |
| Communication | Up to 90% off | View | |
| Communication | 6 months free (50 seats) | View | |
NT | Design & Collaboration | 6 months free (save $12K) | View |
FG | Design & Collaboration | $1,000 | View |
MR | Design & Collaboration | Free credits + 25% off | View |
CV | Design & Collaboration | Free tier + Business plans | View |
| Other Services | Up to $10,000 | View | |
SA Stripe AtlasFeatured | Other Services | $50K+ in perks | View |
DB | Other Services | Up to 90% off | View |
ZO | Other Services | 1 year free | View |
BX | Other Services | Free financial stack | View |
RM | Other Services | $350K+ in partner rewards | View |
GU | Other Services | Discounted pricing | View |
RD | Database Services | $10,000 | View |
| Database Services | Credits + accelerator | View | |
| Other Services | Up to $25,000 | View | |
A0 | Developer Tools | $9,000 value | View |
SL | Communication | 25-30% off ($9K savings) | View |
CU | Developer Tools | $3,000 | View |
WF | Design & Collaboration | 1 year free CMS plan | View |
AT | Developer Tools | $1,000-$2,000 | View |
Google CloudFeatured
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to $350,000
CloudflareFeatured
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to $250,000
Microsoft for StartupsFeatured
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to $150,000
AWS ActivateFeatured
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to $100,000
DigitalOcean Hatch
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to $100,000
OVHcloud
Cloud Infrastructure
Up to €100,000
Vercel
Cloud Infrastructure
$2,400
AnthropicFeatured
AI & ML Platforms
Free API credits
Perplexity AI
AI & ML Platforms
$5,000 + Enterprise Pro
ElevenLabs
AI & ML Platforms
33M characters (~$4,000+)
OpenAI
AI & ML Platforms
Up to $50,000
MongoDB
Database Services
Tiered credits
Couchbase
Database Services
$12,750 value
Supabase
Database Services
Up to $300
PlanetScale
Database Services
Varies
MixpanelFeatured
Analytics & Monitoring
1 year free (1B events)
PostHogFeatured
Analytics & Monitoring
$50,000
Twilio Segment
Analytics & Monitoring
Up to $50,000 + $1M partner credits
Amplitude
Analytics & Monitoring
1 year free (1.2B events)
Datadog
Analytics & Monitoring
Up to $100,000
Sentry
Analytics & Monitoring
Free tier + startup pricing
Retool
Developer Tools
Up to $60,000
Algolia
Developer Tools
$10,000
GitHubFeatured
Developer Tools
20 seats free Enterprise
Linear
Developer Tools
Up to 6 months free
Atlassian
Developer Tools
12 months free (50 users)
Twilio
Communication
Up to $10,000
Intercom
Communication
90% off + Fin AI free
HubSpot for Startups
Communication
Up to 90% off
Zendesk for Startups
Communication
6 months free (50 seats)
Notion
Design & Collaboration
6 months free (save $12K)
Figma
Design & Collaboration
$1,000
Miro
Design & Collaboration
Free credits + 25% off
Canva
Design & Collaboration
Free tier + Business plans
Freshworks
Other Services
Up to $10,000
Stripe AtlasFeatured
Other Services
$50K+ in perks
Dropbox
Other Services
Up to 90% off
Zoho One
Other Services
1 year free
Brex
Other Services
Free financial stack
Ramp
Other Services
$350K+ in partner rewards
Gusto
Other Services
Discounted pricing
Redis
Database Services
$10,000
Snowflake
Database Services
Credits + accelerator
Salesforce for Startups
Other Services
Up to $25,000
Auth0
Developer Tools
$9,000 value
Slack
Communication
25-30% off ($9K savings)
ClickUp
Developer Tools
$3,000
Webflow
Design & Collaboration
1 year free CMS plan
Airtable
Developer Tools
$1,000-$2,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about startup credits, how to apply, and how to maximize the value of free credit programs for your startup.
What are startup credits?
Startup credits are free monetary grants provided by technology companies — such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, OpenAI, and Anthropic — to help early-stage startups reduce their operating costs. These credits can be redeemed for cloud computing, AI API usage, developer tools, analytics platforms, and other essential SaaS products. Most programs offer between $1,000 and $350,000 in credits, and they typically expire within 12 to 24 months. Startup credits are distinct from venture capital because they are non-dilutive — you do not give up equity in exchange for these credits.
How do I apply for startup credits?
Applying for startup credits varies by provider, but the general process is straightforward. First, identify the programs that align with your tech stack and growth stage. Most programs require you to fill out an online application with details about your company, product, funding stage, and intended use of credits. Some programs — like AWS Activate and Google Cloud for Startups — have tiered eligibility based on whether you are affiliated with a qualifying VC, accelerator, or incubator. Others, like Cloudflare and Stripe Atlas, accept direct applications from bootstrapped founders. Approval times range from instant to a few weeks. We recommend applying to multiple programs simultaneously, as there is no exclusivity requirement.
Which startup credit programs offer the most value?
The highest-value startup credit programs include Google Cloud for Startups (up to $350,000), Cloudflare for Startups (up to $250,000), Microsoft for Startups (up to $150,000), AWS Activate (up to $100,000), DigitalOcean Hatch (up to $100,000), and Datadog for Startups (up to $100,000). For AI-focused startups, Anthropic, OpenAI, and ElevenLabs offer meaningful API credits. Beyond raw credit value, programs like Twilio Segment include $1M+ in partner credits, and Ramp provides $350K+ in combined partner rewards. The best strategy is to claim credits from multiple programs across different categories to maximize total savings.
Do I need VC funding to get startup credits?
No, many startup credit programs are available to bootstrapped and self-funded founders. AWS Activate has a Founders tier for self-funded startups. Cloudflare offers a $5,000 tier specifically for bootstrapped companies (use promo code BOOTSTRAPPED). Google Cloud has a Start tier providing $2,000 in credits for pre-funded startups. Stripe Atlas requires no funding to incorporate and access partner perks. MongoDB has an Inspire tier for bootstrapped startups validating an idea. While some higher-value tiers do require VC affiliation or accelerator membership, there are dozens of programs accessible to founders at every stage — including those who have raised zero dollars.
How long do startup credits last?
Most startup credit programs provide credits that are valid for 12 months from the date of acceptance or activation. Some programs offer extended timelines — Google Cloud for Startups provides credits over two years (with different percentages in year one and year two), and Twilio Segment offers credits over a two-year period with step-down discounts in years three and four. Intercom provides a structured three-year discount program (90% off year one, 50% off year two, 25% off year three). Credits are almost always non-transferable and expire if unused. We recommend planning your infrastructure spending to maximize credit utilization before expiration.
Ready to claim your
free startup credits?
Start browsing 49+ free credit programs worth $1M+ in combined value. No signup required — just find the programs that fit your startup and apply directly.