OpenAI for Startups — credits via VC partners
Startups backed by an eligible VC partner can unlock OpenAI credits plus technical and go-to-market support.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Access
- Invite / referral
Opens openai.com in a new tab. May be a referral link — we may earn a bonus, at no cost to you. How this works
Checked on the provider’s page
Who qualifies
VC-backed startups through OpenAI's partner funds
The catch
Credit amounts are not published. Access depends on being backed by a partner VC. Other founders only get the public resources.
What you get
- Credits and dedicated support through eligible VC partners
- Build Hours, starter repos and technical guides for anyone
- Startup Drop newsletter and founder events
At a glance
- Offer
- Credits through VC partners
- Type
- Startup program
- Provider
- OpenAI
- Access
- Invite / referral
- Eligibility
- VC-backed startups through OpenAI's partner funds
- Deadline
- Rolling / no deadline given
- Last checked
- Sun, 25 Oct 2026
More like this
All startup programs →Google for Startups Cloud Program — AI tier
VC-backed startups building on Gemini can get up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits over two years.
- Startups that raised Pre-Seed/Seed within 5 years (or Series A within 12 months), founded within 5 years, built on Gemini, with under $5,000 in prior Google Cloud credits
- Credits over 2 years
- Catch: Eligibility is at Google's discretion. Third-party models (e.g. Claude on Vertex) are billed directly and not covered by credits. Credits are tied to actual spend, not paid upfront.
AWS Activate — up to $200K in credits
AWS Activate gives startups $1,000-$5,000 (self-funded) or up to $200,000 (via an Activate Provider) in AWS credits, usable on Bedrock.
- Pre-Series B startups founded in the last 10 years, on a paid-tier AWS account, new to Activate credits
- Catch: The Portfolio tier needs an Org ID from an Activate Provider (accelerator, angel or VC). AWS accounts on the Free plan are not eligible for promotional credits. Credits are subject to AWS promotional credit terms.
NVIDIA Inception — free startup program
NVIDIA Inception is free to join, with discounts, training and access to free cloud credits from NVIDIA and partners.
- AI startups at any funding stage
- Catch: Credit amounts vary by partner and are not fixed on the program page. Applications are reviewed and NVIDIA contacts you afterward.
Cloudflare for Startups — up to $350K credits
Cloudflare gives startups $10K, $100K or $350K in credits for a year, depending on funding and partner backing.
- Early-stage startups; higher tiers need an affiliated funding partner
- Credits valid 1 year
- Catch: Credits run for a year. The $100K and $350K tiers require funding from an affiliated partner (VC/accelerator).