AI startup credits: model APIs, GPUs and compute
82 AI credit and discount programs for startups: model API credits, GPU time and inference platforms, with current values and eligibility.
Training and serving models is expensive, and many AI companies run on credits for their first year. This page lists the 82 AI programs CreditBase tracks, from the model labs that give API credits to platforms that give GPU hours. The biggest tiers usually come through a partner VC or accelerator.
Model API credits
Credits for calling hosted models. Some are self-serve; others go through a partner investor.
- Anthropic Startup ProgramUp to $100K in additional API credits for VC-backed startups, plus up to $45K in partner perksCredits · Anthropic · Global
- OpenAI for StartupsAPI credits via partner VCsCredits · OpenAI · Global
GPUs, compute and inference platforms
Credits for training, fine-tuning and serving open models.
- NVIDIA InceptionFree membership + GPU/cloud credits & discountsAccelerator · NVIDIA · Global
- Modal Startup ProgramUp to $50K compute creditsCredits · Modal · Global
- Together AI Startup AcceleratorUp to $50K platform creditsCredits · Together AI · Global
- YC Startup DealUp to $22,500 in creditsCredits · Cerebras · Global
The largest AI credit programs
The top AI programs by headline value, largest first.
- Deepgram Startup Program$1K to $100K credits over 12 monthsCredits · Deepgram · Global
- Anthropic Startup ProgramUp to $100K in additional API credits for VC-backed startups, plus up to $45K in partner perksCredits · Anthropic · Global
- NVIDIA InceptionFree membership + GPU/cloud credits & discountsAccelerator · NVIDIA · Global
- BytePlus AI Startup Accelerator ProgramUp to $100,000 in AI model credits ($2,000 non-threshold credits)Credits · BytePlus · Global
- Labelbees Operate TierUp to $50,000 in creditsCredits · Labelbees · Global
- Modal Startup ProgramUp to $50K compute creditsCredits · Modal · Global
- Speechmatics Startup ProgramUp to $50,000 in creditsCredits · Speechmatics · Global
- Together AI Startup AcceleratorUp to $50K platform creditsCredits · Together AI · Global
- Resemble AI Builder's Grant creditsUp to $30,000 in creditsCredits · Resemble AI · Global
- Runware Grant ProgramUp to $30K API creditsCredits · Runware · Global
- Up to EUR 25,000 in AI Cloud creditsUp to €25,000 in creditsCredits · Polarise · European Union
- LegionEdge Startup ProgramUp to $25,000 in credits for 1 yearCredits · LegionEdge · Global
- OpenAI for StartupsAPI credits via partner VCsCredits · OpenAI · Global
- YC Startup DealUp to $22,500 in creditsCredits · Cerebras · Global
- Labelbees Scale TierUp to $10,000 in creditsCredits · Labelbees · Global
For founders in India
- Sarvam Startup Program6–12 months of API creditsCredits · Sarvam AI · India
- IndiaAI Compute Portal (GPU subsidy)GPUs at up to 40% lower costGov. scheme · IndiaAI Mission, MeitY · India
How to get approved
- Have a working product page and, for most programs, a company email on your own domain. Check each program's sign-up rules first, since they differ.
- Ask your investor or accelerator. Referral tiers are often far larger than the self-serve amount.
- Match the program to your stage. Several cap total funding raised or company age; each listing says so.
- Stack programs. They are independent: one startup can hold several at once.
More
- All AI programs with filters: /category/ai
- Cloud credits: Startup credit programs compared
- Machine-readable data: Developer API
Common questions
Where can an AI startup get free API or GPU credits?
Model labs and compute platforms run startup programs. This page lists them with current values, from self-serve credits to larger tiers that need a partner investor referral.
Can I hold several AI credit programs at once?
Usually yes. The programs are independent, though some are limited to companies that have not received the same provider's credits before.
Values are “up to” amounts and terms change: confirm on the provider’s page before you rely on them.