Startup Programs are credit-based offers designed for early-stage companies to build and scale on a specific cloud or AI platform. You typically get free credits (sometimes tiered by funding stage), technical guidance, and partner perks like startup tooling, architecture reviews, or co-marketing. Many programs are application-based and ask for basic company details, funding stage, and how you’ll use the credits. Common uses include training and inference, GPU compute, data warehousing, app hosting, and running pilots without burning cash.

This category includes programs from Alibaba Cloud, Google, Cloudflare, Microsoft, Databricks, Snowflake, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Vercel, AWS, Anthropic, Together AI, DigitalOcean, and Modal. Some are self-serve tiers, while others are selective accelerators with limited cohorts and added perks like engineering support or demo days.

Yes. If your startup has unused eligible credits, you can list them on AI Credit Mart. If you need more runway, you can also browse available credits to buy. Always verify transfer rules and expiration before trading.

They can be very competitive because credits are bundled with mentorship, partner access, and visibility. For example, Vercel’s AI Accelerator runs cohort-based selections and has reported an acceptance rate around a few percent in past cohorts. It’s not a self-serve credit claim, so expect a real application: product, team, traction, and a clear plan for using credits. If you’re not accepted, check other providers with stage-based tiers or investor-linked offers.