Free credits for startup founders
You're building a company. These are the credits, discounts, grants and schemes open to startups, from $300 cloud trials to six-figure credit packages. Stack the self-serve tiers now, and save the large tiers for when an accelerator or investor can refer you.
Largest: Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet) (Loan covering up to 45% of project costs), NEDO Deep-Tech Startup Support (Up to ¥500M+ in grants), Industry Growth Program (Grants from A$50k to A$5M + advisory). Some are open worldwide; others in European Union, India, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, UAE, France and 15 more.
- Start with the stack you already useClaim self-serve credits for your cloud, database, AI API and analytics first. They are quick to get and cut real bills.
- Use a company-domain emailMost perk programs reject personal email addresses and check for a live website and a registered company.
- Save the big tiers for a referralThe $100k+ tiers usually need an accelerator, VC or partner. Join one, then come back to upgrade.
- Mind the expiryCredits usually expire in 12 to 24 months. Apply when you will actually use them.
Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet)
Risk-bearing loan for innovative development projects; repaid only on success.
NEDO Deep-Tech Startup Support
Grant funding for deep-tech R&D and commercialisation.
Industry Growth Program
Supports startups and SMEs commercialising innovative products in priority areas.
EIC Accelerator
Europe's flagship deep-tech funding: blended grant and equity plus coaching.
NIH SBIR/STTR
Non-dilutive funding for biomedical, health tech and diagnostics startups, with some of the highest award caps in the federal government.
SBIR / STTR Programs
America's Seed Fund: federal agencies (NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, NASA) fund R&D with non-dilutive grants and contracts.
Smart&Start Italia
Interest-free financing covering up to 80% of expenses for innovative startups.
NSF America's Seed Fund
Non-dilutive funding for deep tech startups; no equity taken.
Innovate UK Competitions
Open and themed competitions funding game-changing R&D projects, via the Innovation Funding Service.
Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS, §1202)
Founders and early investors in US C-corps can exclude most or all capital gains on qualifying stock. Stock issued after 4 July 2025 gets 50%/75%/100%…
R&D Tax Incentive
Cash refund on eligible R&D spend for companies under A$20M turnover.
SR&ED Tax Credit
Refundable tax credits on qualifying R&D spend for Canadian-controlled private corporations.
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Germany's most active seed investor, backed by the federal government.
NRC IRAP
Industrial Research Assistance Program funds innovation projects and hires for Canadian SMEs.
Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR)
One of Europe's most generous R&D tax credits; refundable for young SMEs.
R&D Tax Relief (merged scheme)
Tax credit on qualifying R&D; enhanced support for R&D-intensive loss-making SMEs.
Y Combinator
Standard deal plus a large bundle of partner credits (cloud, AI, SaaS) for every batch company.
🌍FAPESP PIPE
Research grants for innovation in small businesses in São Paulo state.
Startup SG Tech
Funds proof-of-concept and proof-of-value for tech startups.
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Google Cloud and Firebase credits over two years, technical training, Google Workspace Business Starter discounts and access to startup experts.
AWS Activate
AWS credits, technical support, training and Business Support for early-stage startups. Founders tier is self-serve; Portfolio tier comes via an Activate…
ENISA Young Entrepreneurs
Unsecured, founder-friendly loans for Spanish startups.
Finep Startup
Federal innovation agency investing in technology startups.
SEIS / EIS Tax Relief
Makes raising your first £250k far easier by giving investors generous tax relief.
Cloudflare for Startups
Credits for Workers, R2, Workers AI, security and performance products across tiers.
NEWDatabricks for Startups Program
Qualifying startups can receive up to $200K in credits for Databricks and Neon.
NEWDatabricks Startup Program - Venture-Backed
Up to $200K in Neon and Databricks credits, onboarding support, feature access, and co-marketing opportunities for VC-backed or accelerator startups.
Enterprise Development Grant
Supports projects to upgrade capabilities, innovate or expand overseas.
WBSO R&D Tax Credit
Reduces wage tax on R&D hours; startups receive an extra-high rate.
HKSTP Incubation
Incubation with funding, rent concessions and technical support.
Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Azure credits, GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365, LinkedIn Premium, Azure OpenAI access and mentorship. No funding required to join.
EXIST Business Start-up Grant
Supports university graduates and scientists turning research into startups.
Hub71 Incentive Programme
Subsidised housing, office space and health insurance for startups moving to Abu Dhabi.
🌍Start Up Loans
Government-backed personal loans with 12 months of free mentoring.
Akamai Cloud Rise
Cloud credits from $500 up to $120,000 in the first year, then discounted Akamai Cloud services in years two and three, plus technical guidance.
Alibaba Cloud Startup Program
Cloud credits, technical support and market access in Asia for early-stage companies.
IBM Cloud for Startups
IBM Cloud credits, watsonx AI access, technical mentorship and go-to-market support.
NEWLinode Rise Startup Program
Qualify for up to $120,000 in free cloud infrastructure credits during your first year, along with cloud consulting, IT services guidance, community access…
NEWKarnataka ELEVATE / ELEVATE NxT
Karnataka's flagship non-dilutive grant, with a deep-tech track (AI, quantum, space).
Innosuisse Start-up Coaching
Swiss innovation agency coaching, innovation projects and training.
OVHcloud Startup Program
Cloud credits, technical support and go-to-market help from Europe's largest cloud provider.
TechBoost startup benefits
Market-ready, cloud-connected B2B startups can receive up to €100,000 in T Cloud Public credits and €10,000 in Magenta Business API starting credits, plus…
NEWDeepgram Startup Program
Credits for Deepgram speech-to-text, text-to-speech and voice agent APIs. Direct applicants start at $1,000 and can move up tiers to $100,000 as usage grows.
DigitalOcean Hatch
Infrastructure credits, 1:1 technical sessions and priority support for startups scaling on DigitalOcean.
NEWFlamethrower Startup Program
Accepted data-heavy startups can receive up to $100,000 in Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage credits plus direct technical support.
NEWUp to $100,000 in OpenMetal cloud credits
Approved startups receive up to $100,000 in credits that discount monthly dedicated private cloud infrastructure costs.
NEWUp to $100,000 in Skytells credits and 35% off
Eligible Series A–E startups can receive up to $100,000 in Skytells cloud credits and 35% off cloud services for up to two years, plus priority support and…
NEWNGN ICS Startup Service Credits
Qualified startups can receive up to $100,000 in NGN ICS service credits valid for 12 months, usable for voice, cloud numbers, IPX, IMS, SMS, and messaging…