Startup program guides

Stripe Atlas: cost, perks, and alternatives

$2,500 Stripe credits + $50,000+ in partner perks

Stripe Atlas incorporates a US company (Delaware C-corp or LLC) online for a one-time $500, covering the state filing, EIN, share issuance, and first-year registered agent (about $100 per year after). It is open to founders anywhere, forms the company in one to two business days, and bundles legal templates, 83(b) help, and partner perks. You do not have to use Stripe payments to use it.

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub: credits and eligibility

Up to $150,000 Azure credits

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub gives startups Azure credits that scale from about $1,000 up to $150,000, unlocked progressively, plus GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365, and Azure OpenAI access. The self-serve entry tier gives up to roughly $5,000 with just business verification and no investor requirement; the top tiers usually need an Investor Network referral. It takes no equity.

HubSpot for Startups: discount, eligibility, and alternatives

Up to 90% off year 1

HubSpot for Startups discounts the CRM and marketing suite by up to 90% off year one, 50% off year two, and 25% off year three onward for startups that raised and are affiliated with an approved partner. Startups affiliated only through an entrepreneurial organization typically get 30% to 50% off year one. It is for new HubSpot customers, usually pre-seed to Series A and under about $20M raised.

AWS Activate credits: tiers, eligibility, and alternatives

Up to $200,000 ($200,000+ for AI)

AWS Activate gives startups cloud credits plus support. The self-serve Founders tier grants up to $5,000 with no affiliation needed; the Portfolio tier grants up to $200,000 but requires a confidential Organization ID from an AWS Activate provider (a VC, accelerator, or incubator). Credits typically last up to two years and cover 200-plus AWS services including Bedrock for AI. It takes no equity.

Google for Startups Cloud Program: credits and the AI tier

Up to $200,000 (or $350,000 for AI-first)

The Google for Startups Cloud Program has a Start tier worth up to $2,000 (early-stage, not yet equity-funded) and a Scale tier worth up to $200,000 over two years (VC-backed). AI-first startups can reach up to $350,000 total: roughly 100% coverage up to $250,000 in year one plus 20% up to $100,000 in year two. Credits cover Google Cloud, Firebase, and Gemini, and the program takes no equity.

Notion for Startups: free credit, eligibility, and alternatives

Up to $12,000 (6 months × 100 users × $20/mo)

Notion for Startups gives new, non-paying startups free credit toward the Business plan including Notion AI: up to six months free through a Notion partner, about three months without a partner, and roughly one month for small or unverifiable teams. It is for companies under 100 employees, one redemption per company, and does not stack with other Notion promotions.

OpenAI startup credits have ended: what to use instead

OpenAI has stopped offering startup credits. There is no application form or published credit amount on any OpenAI-owned page, and the Ramp partnership and Researcher Access routes that used to supply them are no longer offered. The one path that still reaches GPT-class models with credits is Azure OpenAI Service funded by a Microsoft for Startups grant. For a direct equivalent, Anthropic runs the closest program with published terms.

Anthropic startup credits: Claude API amounts and eligibility

Up to $45,000 in partner discounts and credits

Anthropic's startup program centers on the Startup Stack: discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from partner products. Startups backed by a participating VC may also claim up to $100,000 in additional API credits, claimed through the VC. Anthropic lists its Claude Team and $1,000 API credit offers as over capacity, so do not plan around them. Confirm current terms, since AI programs change fast.

Deel for startups: free seats, discounts, and alternatives

5 seats free for life + 12-month discounts

Deel for startups commonly includes the first five contractor or employee seats free for life, roughly 30% off contractor management and 20% off EOR employees for 12 months, and a credit around $500 (with about $1,500 available through Carta). Deel runs global payroll, contractor management, and employer-of-record hiring in 150-plus countries, so a small team can pay people anywhere compliantly.

Carta for startups: Launch program gone, free plan remains

The Carta Launch startup program is gone, but Carta still lists a free plan for early startups on its equity-management plans page (checked October 12, 2026). We have not verified the stakeholder or funding limits of that plan, so confirm them on the plans page. Carta remains a common tool for keeping an investor-ready cap table from incorporation.