CircleCI Startup Program
Up to $20,000 in compute credits over as long as 24 months, plus free Starter Support worth $249 a month.
CircleCI Startup Program offers Up to $20,000 in compute credits to pre-seed, seed, series a startups, no VC referral required. Review takes 5–15 business days.
About
CircleCI offers up to $20,000 in build compute credits, usable over a period as long as 24 months, which is the longest runway of any CI program we have verified. It bundles Starter Support, normally $249 per month, at no cost.
The eligibility gate is the strictest in this category and every condition applies at once: new to CircleCI or currently on the free plan, pre-seed through Series A, founded within the last five years, and either backed by a recognized accelerator or VC, or able to show more than $500,000 raised.
If you qualify, the 24-month window matters more than the headline number. Most CI credits expire in 12 months, which tends to strand the balance right when your build volume finally grows.
Tiers
- Pre-seed through Series A
- Founded within the last 5 years
Eligibility
- New to CircleCI or on the free plan
- Pre-seed through Series A
- Founded within the last 5 years
- Backed by a recognized accelerator or VC, or more than $500,000 raised
- Existing paying CircleCI customer
- Series B or later
- Founded more than 5 years ago
How to apply
- 1Check all four criteriaThey are cumulative, not alternatives.
- 2Apply on the program pageForm is on the page; startups@circleci.com for questions.circleci.com/startup-program ↗
What else you get
- Starter Support included, normally $249 per month
- Credit window up to 24 months
What credits cover (and don't)
- CircleCI build compute
Tactical tips
- Tip 1.The 24-month window is the real benefit. Do not burn credits on unoptimized builds in month one.
Common rejection reasons
- Under $500,000 raised with no accelerator or VC affiliation
- Existing paid customer
Frequently asked about CircleCI Startup Program
Is CircleCI Startup Program free to apply?
Yes. Applying to CircleCI Startup Program does not cost anything and does not require giving up equity. Some programs require a payment method on file that activates only after credits are consumed or expire, check the program detail page for specifics.
How long does CircleCI Startup Program take to review applications?
Processing times are shown on the program detail page. Most programs reply within 1–3 weeks. Self-serve tiers (like AWS Activate Founders) can approve in 2–7 days; partner-referred tiers (like AWS Activate Portfolio) usually take 5–10 days.
Can I combine CircleCI Startup Program with other startup programs?
Most programs stack. The "Stacks well with" section on each detail page lists commonly combined programs. A few important exceptions: if you already claimed AWS credits via Brex or Mercury, your direct AWS Activate amount may be reduced.
What is the most common reason applications to CircleCI get rejected?
The top rejection reasons are (1) using a personal Gmail/Outlook address instead of a company domain, (2) having a thin or placeholder website, and (3) mismatched information between the application and Crunchbase/Pitchbook. The tips section on the program page details program-specific factors.
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