---
source_url: "https://orbitmoney.io/deals/blog/startup-credits"
title: "Startup Credits 2026: $500k+ Free (AWS, GCP, AI & More)"
mirrored_at: 2026-08-11T15:03:03.619Z
host: orbitmoney.io
cited_in_42a: true
mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/orbitmoney.io/deals/blog/startup-credits"
---

> **Original source:** https://orbitmoney.io/deals/blog/startup-credits

Before we dive into the details, let’s clarify what startup credits are. Startup credits and startup perks come in a few different categories, in this article we will primarily be focused on the credit programs:

**Free credits**: Actual dollar amounts you can use toward a service (like $100,000 in AWS credits or Google Cloud credits)

**Extended free trials**: Access to paid features for a set period (like 6 months free on a Business plan)

Most startup programs offer credits that expire after a certain period (usually 12-24 months) and many will automatically start billing you when the credits run out, which is why tracking these expiration dates is crucial (we built Orbit specifically [to help with tracking subscriptions and free trials,](https://orbitmoney.io/) which can also help with credit expiry dates).

## **Best Free Cloud Credits for Startups (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)**

These are the big ones, hundreds of thousands in free cloud credits for hosting, compute, storage, and cloud services.

### **Google for Startups Cloud Program  
**  

![Google startup credit program](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FS9YB3ec5IIrmtTR0e1DrJNv7dvg.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $350,000

**What you get**: Cloud credits split over two years (100% coverage in year one, 20% in year two), plus access to Firebase, AI/ML tools, and technical support

**Eligibility**: Pre-seed to Series A startups. Standard tier offers around $2,000-20,000; the $350k tier is for AI-focused startups and usually requires a VC or partner referral

**Application time**: 2-4 weeks for higher tiers, instant for basic tier

**The catch**: AI startups get the big bucks, but you'll likely need a referral from a recognized accelerator or investor. If you're building anything AI/ML-related, this should be at the top of your list.

This is probably the most generous cloud program out there right now, especially if you're building anything AI-related. Just know that the higher tiers aren't self-serve.

[Apply for Google Cloud for Startups →](https://cloud.google.com/startup)

### **Cloudflare for Startups  
**  

![Cloudflare for startups credit program](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FrHZguVfv1VdVFjL9LKIPfTocY.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $250,000

**What you get**: Credits for Cloudflare's Developer Platform including Workers, Pages, R2 storage, D1 database, and edge computing

**Eligibility**: Varies by tier, smaller amounts ($1k-5k) are easier to get and often self-serve. Larger credits require VC backing or accelerator participation.

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks for higher tiers

**Why it's great**: Cloudflare is fast and reliable, and if you're building anything web-facing, these credits can save you a ton. Their edge network is hard to beat for performance.

### **Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub  
**  

![Microsoft for startups credit program](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FBX6lmlGdOZmPnMzqz6rLowwZW4.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $150,000

**What you get**: Azure credits plus free GitHub Enterprise (20 seats), Microsoft 365, Visual Studio, and OpenAI credits

**Eligibility**: Open to all startups, no funding requirement for the basic tier ($1k Azure credits). Larger credit amounts ($25k-150k) require VC backing.

**Application time**: Instant approval for basic tier, 1-2 weeks for higher tiers

**The deal**: This is actually a bundle of multiple products, so the value adds up quickly if you use the Microsoft ecosystem. The OpenAI credits alone are worth it if you're building AI features.

[Get started with Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub →](https://www.microsoft.com/startups)

### **AWS Activate  
**  

![AWS Activate Startup Credit Program](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FGQVPlejdUcasjwZxlcYBSGAVsrA.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $100,000

**What you get**: AWS credits covering EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, DynamoDB, and most AWS services, plus technical support and training credits

**Eligibility**: Self-service tier gives you $1,000 (instant). The bigger credit packages ($5k-$100k) require being part of an accelerator, incubator, or VC portfolio company.

**Application time**: Instant for $1k tier, 1-2 weeks for partner-referred higher tiers

### **DigitalOcean Hatch  
**  

![DigitalOcean Hatch Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F50nVIdkb2YXzQ23vhKOyOyZ1Y1s.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $100,000

**What you get**: Infrastructure credits for DigitalOcean's cloud platform, including Droplets, Kubernetes, managed databases

**Eligibility**: Must be part of a participating VC fund, accelerator, or startup program

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Why consider it**: Simpler than AWS/GCP if you don't need all the complexity. Better pricing for smaller workloads, and their documentation is actually readable.

## **Startup Programs for Developer Tools & SaaS**

These startup programs help you build, ship, and manage your product faster.

### **Retool Startup Program**

![Retool Startup credit program,](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Flt1PwkZb5xNnPOUQfVmahGfOOo.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $60,000

**What you get**: 1 year free on Retool's platform for building internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards, plus 25% off the second year

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups, some tiers require funding proof. Basic tier is pretty accessible.

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Use case**: If you need to build internal tools fast without coding, this is gold. Customer admin panels, data dashboards, approval workflows, all the boring but necessary stuff.

### **GitHub for Startups**

![GIthub for startups](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FeXbd2YV0qNz1OH7zyjel5LEDEE.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: 20 seats free (GitHub Enterprise)

**What you get**: GitHub Enterprise for 12 months including advanced security, compliance tools, code scanning, and project management features

**Eligibility**: Available through Microsoft for Startups or partner programs

**Application time**: Instant if you're already in Microsoft for Startups

**The play**: If you're already on GitHub, this is an easy upgrade to Enterprise features. The security scanning alone is worth it.

### **Notion for Startups**

![Startup Credits 2026: Complete Guide to Free AWS, Google Cloud & SaaS Programs - screenshot 1](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FaLp5Pv4JNbVbcKjMplnPzkUbUtU.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $1,000 (6 months free)

**What you get**: Free access to Notion's Business Plan for your whole team

**Eligibility**: Open to startups on the free plan. You get $1,000 worth through partner codes (AWS Activate, Stripe Atlas), or $500 through direct application

**Application time**: Instant with partner codes, 1 week for direct application

**Why it matters**: Most teams use Notion anyway, might as well get it free for half a year. The unlimited file uploads and advanced permissions are actually useful at this tier.

### **Figma Startup Program**

![Startup Credits 2026: Complete Guide to Free AWS, Google Cloud & SaaS Programs - screenshot 2](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FpZWQWqOLs3J9NHeuADvwOVmh99I.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: $1,000

**What you get**: Credits for Figma's design platform including UI/UX, prototyping, and design systems

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**For who**: Essential if you have designers on the team or if you're doing any product design work. FigJam for brainstorming is included too.

## **Free Analytics and Monitoring Tools for Startups**

Track what's happening in your product and keep systems running smoothly.

### **Mixpanel for Startups**

![Mixpanel Startup credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F9bwLPNgRGTBUkXC8aFKudruY.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: $50,000

**What you get**: One year free of Mixpanel's Growth plan including product analytics, session replay (500K sessions), and A/B testing

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups (typically less than Series B, under $20M raised)

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Why it's valuable**: Product analytics isn't cheap, and Mixpanel's Growth plan normally costs $24/month per seat plus usage. This gives you the good stuff, cohort analysis, funnel tracking, behavioral insights, all free for a year.

### **PostHog for Startups**

![Posthog Startup credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FitXKQ7jzMDSFRCCbxpB5PsmW73Y.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: $50,000

**What you get**: All-in-one platform with product analytics, session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and user surveys

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups

**Application time**: 1 week

**The advantage**: Open-source alternative with a lot of features bundled together. You can self-host if you want, or use their cloud version. The feature flag system alone saves you from building your own.

### **Datadog for Startups**

![Datadog Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FCMzUMYuLNQzqrJFZzwMZn53jo.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: 1 year free (worth $1,500-3,000+)

**What you get**: Comprehensive monitoring including APM (application performance monitoring), infrastructure monitoring, log management, and real-time observability

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups backed by select VCs or in participating accelerators

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Use case**: If you need to monitor production systems seriously, Datadog is the industry standard. Tracks everything from server metrics to application traces to custom business KPIs.

## **Free AI API Credits and Machine Learning Programs**

With everyone building AI features, these startup credits matter more than ever.

### **Anthropic Startup Program**

![Anthropic Startup Credits. Claude Code](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fpzk5K25FXcGNliZseh9zCNzgDxs.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: $25,000 in Claude API credits

**What you get**: Claude API credits with priority rate limits and access to Anthropic technical resources, including early access to new models

**Eligibility**: Startups building AI-powered products, usually you need some traction or backing from friendly VCs. They prioritize companies genuinely building with AI, not just experimenting.

**Application time**: 2-3 weeks

**Worth noting**: Claude's API is competitive with OpenAI, and $25k in credits goes further than you'd think with Claude Sonnet. If you're building conversational AI, summarization tools, or coding assistants, this is extremely valuable.

[Apply for the Anthropic Startup Program →](https://www.anthropic.com/startups)

### **ElevenLabs Grants Program**

![ElevenLabs Grants. Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FacAoA5XscqsrIShiXWQMiPyJRQ.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: 33 million characters (~$4,000+)

**What you get**: 12 months of Scale-tier access for voice AI including text-to-speech, voice cloning, and conversational AI features

**Eligibility**: Startups building voice-enabled products or using voice AI in their core offering

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**The opportunity**: Voice AI is getting huge, and ElevenLabs has some of the most realistic text-to-speech out there. If you're building podcasting tools, audiobook platforms, or accessibility features, this is a no-brainer.

### **OpenAI Startup Credits**

![OpenAI startup Credits. GPT-4](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fs6bqLlMk2DpozwRiCLsqN9GJ0f0.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $2,500

**What you get**: API credits for GPT-4, GPT-4o, DALL-E, and other OpenAI models

**Eligibility**: Available through partner programs like Ramp, Microsoft for Startups, or certain VCs

**Application time**: Instant through partners

**The reality**: Not as much as some other programs, but OpenAI's APIs are what most people are building with. $2,500 covers a decent amount of GPT-4 usage if you're smart about caching and prompt optimization.

## **Startup Discounts for CRM and Customer Support Software**

Customer-facing tools that help you talk to users professionally.

### **HubSpot for Startups**

![Hubspot for Startups. Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FDcgIddYyOBBmREtF6itw4cCj1A.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to 90% off (worth $10,000+ per year)

**What you get**: Massive discounts on HubSpot's CRM, marketing automation, sales tools, and customer service software

**Eligibility**: Must be associated with a qualifying accelerator, VC fund, or startup organization. Under 2 years old, less than $2M in funding.

**Application time**: 2-3 weeks (need to verify accelerator/VC partnership)

**Why it's big**: HubSpot gets expensive fast at scale, 90% off is massive savings. The CRM is free anyway, but the Marketing Hub and Sales Hub are where costs add up. This deal makes them actually affordable.

### **Intercom Early Stage Program**

![Intercom Early Stage Program. Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FCeFBggWo75SuWHwX6Wi3rJWZeBQ.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to 95% off (worth $2,000-5,000+ per year)

**What you get**: Customer messaging platform with live chat, chatbots, help desk, and customer support automation

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups, usually less than $1M ARR. They're pretty strict about the "early stage" part.

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Perfect for**: B2B SaaS companies that need professional customer communication. The chatbot builder and automated workflows save a ton of support time.

### **Zendesk for Startups**

![Zendesk Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FKq4MHSJSS1RxNpPPRKtAvvvTnw.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: 6 months free (worth $1,000-2,000)

**What you get**: Customer service and help desk software, including ticketing, knowledge base, and multi-channel support

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups in partner programs

**Application time**: 1 week

**Consider if**: You're scaling support and need a real ticketing system. The knowledge base features help you build self-service support.

## **Free Database Credits for Startups (MongoDB, Supabase)**

Where your data lives and how you access it.

### **MongoDB for Startups**

![MongoDB for Startups. Startup credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FdXi2QttMUyHnBK6GV4EMjjtOIvQ.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: Up to $20,000

**What you get**: Atlas credits for MongoDB's multi-cloud database platform, plus technical support and training resources

**Eligibility**: Early-stage startups (typically less than Series B, under $20M raised)

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks

**Why MongoDB**: NoSQL flexibility with managed hosting. If your data model is still evolving or you need flexible schemas, MongoDB makes sense. Atlas handles all the infrastructure.

### **Supabase Startup Credits**

![Supabase Startup Credits](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FVNfvyZylCmPppSO8oBweUxLZdA.webp&w=828&q=80)

**Value**: $300

**What you get**: Credits for Supabase's open-source Firebase alternative including Postgres database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, and storage

**Eligibility**: Generally available through partner programs (Vercel, Y Combinator, etc.)

**Application time**: Instant through partners

**The pitch**: If you want Postgres with modern developer tooling, Supabase is solid. The authentication and real-time features save you from building that yourself.

## **Additional Startup Perks and Benefits (Stripe, Brex, Mercury)  
**  

![Ramp Perks, stripe atlas and Mercury partner credit programs](https://orbitmoney.io/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FhXKmKvdnKGkjfI2NvtdvJgNXig.webp&w=828&q=80)

### **Stripe Atlas**

**Value**: $150 off incorporation + extensive partner perks

**What you get**: Delaware C-corp incorporation with tax ID, 83(b) filing, banking connections, and access to extensive partner perks (including many of the credits on this list)

**Eligibility**: Anyone incorporating a company anywhere in the world

**Application time**: 2-3 weeks for full incorporation process

**Pro tip**: Stripe Atlas gives you automatic access to partner deals from AWS, Notion, OpenAI, and dozens of other companies. It's essentially a startup credit aggregator, so the $500 incorporation fee pays for itself immediately through the unlocked credits.

[Incorporate with Stripe Atlas →](https://stripe.com/atlas)

### **Brex for Startups & Ramp Partner Perks**

**Value**: Extensive partner deals (access to hundreds of thousands in credits)

**What you get**: Corporate cards plus access to hundreds of partner perks and software discounts from their deal marketplace

**Eligibility**: Startups with revenue or funding (Brex requires $50k+ in the bank, Ramp is more flexible)

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks for card approval

**The strategy**: These fintech companies aggregate deals from other platforms, giving you one place to access multiple startup programs. Both Brex and Ramp offer OpenAI credits, AWS credits, and discounts on 100+ SaaS tools.

### **Mercury Partner Network**

**Value**: Access to partner startup programs

**What you get**: Banking plus connections to investor networks and startup program partners

**Eligibility**: Startups opening a business bank account with Mercury

**Application time**: 1-2 weeks for account setup

**Why it matters**: Mercury's partner network includes access to various startup credit programs, though it's not as extensive as Brex or Ramp's offerings.

## **Frequently Asked Questions About Startup Credits**

### **How do I qualify for startup credits?**

Most startup credit programs require you to be an early-stage company (typically pre-seed through Series A, less than $5M raised, or incorporated within the last 5 years). Some programs like Microsoft for Startups and AWS Activate have self-serve tiers that anyone can access, while larger credit amounts usually require VC backing or participation in an accelerator program.

### **Do startup credits expire?**

Yes, almost all startup credits expire after 12-24 months. Some programs like Google Cloud split credits over multiple years, while others give you a lump sum that expires all at once. Always check the expiration terms and set calendar reminders at least 60 days before credits run out.

### **What happens when my startup credits run out?**

This depends on the program. Some services (like AWS and Google Cloud) will automatically start billing your credit card once credits are exhausted. Others will simply cut off your access until you add payment. Always read the billing terms before building critical infrastructure on temporary credits.

### **Can I get startup credits without being VC-backed?**

Yes! Programs like Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub ($1,000 Azure), AWS Activate ($1,000 tier), and Notion for Startups ($500) are available to any startup without requiring VC funding. However, the largest credit amounts ($100k+) typically require either VC backing or participation in a recognized accelerator.

### **Which startup credit program is the best?**

It depends on what you're building. For AI companies, Google Cloud ($350k) and Anthropic ($25k) are extremely valuable. For general web apps, AWS Activate or Cloudflare provide the most flexibility. The "best" program is the one that covers tools you're actually using or will use in the next 6-12 months.

### **How long does it take to get approved for startup credits?**

Self-serve programs like basic Microsoft for Startups or AWS Activate ($1k tier) approve instantly. Most mid-tier programs take 1-2 weeks for manual review. High-value programs ($100k+) can take 2-4 weeks and may require additional documentation or VC referrals.

### **Can I apply to multiple startup credit programs at once?**

Absolutely! In fact, you should. Many programs stack together, Stripe Atlas gives you access to AWS and Notion credits, which unlock other partner deals. Just make sure you can actually use the credits before they expire. Don't apply for analytics tools you won't use for a year.

### **Do I need a business bank account to get startup credits?**

Not for most programs. However, some larger credit programs or partner perks (like those through Brex, Ramp, or Mercury) do require you to have a business bank account with them. The basic tier programs from AWS, Google, Microsoft, and most SaaS tools just need a company email address.

### **What's the difference between startup credits and startup discounts?**

Startup credits are actual dollar amounts you can spend on a service (like "$100,000 in AWS credits"). Startup discounts are percentage reductions on regular pricing (like "90% off HubSpot for 12 months"). Both save you money, but credits typically have expiration dates while discounts may renew annually at reduced rates.

### **Can bootstrapped startups get AWS credits?**

Yes, AWS Activate offers a $1,000 self-serve tier that any startup can access without VC backing. Larger AWS credit amounts ($5k-$100k) require being part of an accelerator, incubator, or VC portfolio company. If you're bootstrapped, start with the $1k tier and look into joining a free online accelerator to unlock higher tiers.

### **How do I track all my startup credit expiration dates?**

Use a spreadsheet, set calendar reminders 60-90 days before expiration, or use a subscription management tool like Orbit that automatically tracks expiration dates for you. The key is having one centralized place where you can see when all your credits expire and what happens when they do.

### **Are startup credits actually worth it?**

For early-stage companies, absolutely. $100k in cloud credits can extend your runway by 6-12 months. Free access to tools like Mixpanel, HubSpot, or Datadog saves thousands in monthly costs. Just treat them as temporary, build your business model assuming you'll pay full price eventually, and use credits to extend the runway while you prove product-market fit.