Claude for Startups Programs

Standard allocation$1,000Claude API creditsFor approved startups. No VC funding required.
Up to · additional$100,000Claude API creditsOnly for startups backed by an Anthropic partner VC.
  • 1 year of Claude Team, freeUp to 5 Premium seats; new Team organizations only.
  • Higher API rate limitsFor members receiving program credits.
  • Applied AI office hours & eventsTechnical sessions and founder community access.
  • Extra credits through your VCUse your Anthropic partner investor’s claim process.

Partner offers: up to $45K combined value. Third-party discounts, free periods and service credits; provider conditions apply. Not cash or Claude API credit.

Check my eligibilityProgram and location rules apply.

Official benefits and eligibility

Best for

  • Products using the Claude API
  • Small teams new to Claude Team
  • Anthropic partner-VC-backed startups

Is my startup eligible?

I may meet the requirements if…

  • My company was founded in the last 5 years OR funded in the last 2 years.
  • I have a Claude Console account.
  • My company email matches my website domain.
  • I can provide a short product description.

I may not qualify if…

  • My company is over 5 years old AND has no funding in the last 2 years.
  • I don’t yet have the required company email or Console account.
  • My company or service use falls outside the location or supportability rules.
Location restrictions

Companies established or operating in excluded locations, or planning to provide Anthropic services to users there, are ineligible. China is explicitly listed.

Official exclusionsSupported-regions policy

No VC required for the standard route. Approval remains Anthropic’s decision.

What could affect my benefits?

My company already uses Claude Team

The free year is not available.

This offer is for organizations new to Team.

I use Claude through Bedrock or Vertex AI

Credits won’t cover those platform bills.

Credits apply only to the first-party Claude API, not cloud marketplaces or other third-party platforms.

These affect particular benefits, not automatic rejection of the whole application.Official benefit conditions

How do I apply?

  1. Prepare your company details

    Website, matching company email, Console account and a short product description.

  2. Choose your credit route

    Standard: no VC needed. For extra credits, contact your Anthropic partner VC.

  3. Apply in Claude Console

    Follow the official Apply link, submit your details and watch for the decision email.

  4. Claim approved benefits

    Claim API credits in Console, Team if eligible and each partner offer separately.

Typical review: Most decisions take minutes; manual review usually takes 2–3 business days. Timing is not guaranteed.

Apply on Anthropic

Continue via the official program page’s Apply button.

What should I know about using credits?

Standard credits: 6 months

Counted from grant. Check the award terms for extra VC credits.

No cash payout

API credits, Team access and partner offers are separate benefits.

Official credit FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need VC funding?

No for the standard program. Extra API credits require backing from a VC in Anthropic’s partner network.

My startup is 2 years old and bootstrapped. Can I apply?

You meet the public age rule without VC funding. Account, geographic and other requirements still apply; Anthropic decides approval.

My company is older than 5 years. Does recent funding count?

Yes: the time rule is founded within 5 years OR funded within 2 years. Other conditions still apply.

What does the $45K in partner offers mean?

It is the advertised combined value of third-party discounts, free periods and service credits. Each provider has its own conditions; it is not cash or Claude API credit.

Can I share partner-offer codes outside my company?

No. Unless a provider states otherwise, offers are single-redemption, non-transferable and have no cash value. Do not sell them or share redemption codes or links outside your company.

Official sources

Checked . Anthropic may modify, suspend or terminate the program. Recheck the official rules before applying or budgeting around any benefit.