Free AI API and GPU credits for startups: Anthropic, NVIDIA Inception, Sarvam and IndiaAI

AI products are expensive to run before they earn anything: every test call to a model, every fine-tune and every demo burns money. Several model labs and compute platforms run startup programs to take that cost off the first year. This guide covers the ones that matter most, with what each asks for.

Model API credits

Anthropic Startup Program

Anthropic's program page says it is open to "bootstrapped, pre-seed, and venture-backed startups", so a VC is not required. It lists:

• API credits and higher rate limits. Members who receive program credits automatically get higher API rate limits. VC-backed founders may be eligible for up to $100K in additional API credits.
• A Startup Stack of discounts and credits worth up to $45,000, offered by independent third-party companies, not by Anthropic.
• Office hours with Anthropic's Applied AI team, every other week.

Two limits matter. Program credits cannot be used on AWS Bedrock, Google Cloud Vertex AI or other third-party platforms. And Anthropic notes some of its offers are over capacity and that it is re-reviewing applications, so statuses can change. Apply in the Claude Console; the page says it aims to review applications within a week.

• 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

OpenAI also lists a startup program with API credits, rate-limit increases and events, reached through partner investors. Check OpenAI's own page for the current terms.

GPU and compute programs

NVIDIA Inception

NVIDIA Inception is free to join: NVIDIA states there are no application fees, deadlines, cohorts or equity requirements, and you can apply at any funding stage. To qualify, NVIDIA says your startup must:

1. employ at least one developer,
2. have a working website,
3. be officially incorporated, and
4. be under 10 years old.

Consulting and outsourced development firms, crypto-related companies, cloud service providers, resellers and distributors, and public companies do not qualify. Benefits include self-paced technical courses, preferred pricing on select NVIDIA hardware and software (for GPUs, a rebate off the supplier's price, since NVIDIA does not sell directly to members), free cloud credits from NVIDIA and partners, and investor access through Inception Capital Connect. The application asks for your incorporation date, funding status and a pitch deck.

• 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

For founders in India

Two programs are aimed at Indian AI startups:

• Sarvam Startup Program gives API credits for 6 to 12 months, matched to your scale, for Sarvam's speech-to-text, text-to-speech, voice agent and Indian-language models. You apply with your company, stage, funding and expected usage.
• IndiaAI Compute Portal offers subsidised GPU access through empanelled Indian cloud providers. It has its own eligibility rules, covered in the IndiaAI compute guide.

• 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

• Show a working product page. Almost every program asks for a website.
• Apply to the open programs first. NVIDIA Inception and Anthropic's program do not need a VC, so there is no reason to wait.
• Know what the credits cannot do. Anthropic's cannot be used through another cloud's marketplace; check this before you design your stack around a particular cloud.
• Stack them. The programs are independent, and a startup can hold several at once.

More programs are listed on AI startup credits, and the tracked list is at category AI.

Sources

• Claude startup program
• NVIDIA Inception
• Sarvam startup program

Values are “up to” amounts and terms change: confirm on the provider’s page before you rely on them. CreditBase is independent and not affiliated with the providers named here. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.