OpenAI for Startups Programs

Partner-VC referral route
API creditsThrough a partner VCAmount not publicly specified. Confirm the available grant and its conditions with my VC.
  • Higher API rate limitsPartner-backed startups may qualify for rate-limit upgrades.
  • Technical & startup supportEligible startups may get access to technical staff and the Startup team.

Founder events & resources. OpenAI also lists Build Hours, starter repos and community events. These resources are separate from a credit grant.

Check my eligibilityReferral and approval apply.

Other credit & founder programs

  • Ramp rewards

    Eligibility unconfirmed

    Ramp lists an OpenAI API credit offer. The amount and full redemption requirements are not public on this page; confirm eligibility before signing up.

    Ramp’s OpenAI offer

  • OpenAI Grove

    Linked cohort closed

    An early-founder community, including pre-idea founders, with mentoring and possible credits or fundraising introductions. Applications closed Jan 12, 2026. The announcement does not disclose a fixed credit amount or establish future-cohort availability.

    Official Grove announcement

Official benefits and eligibility

Best for

  • OpenAI API builders
  • Partner-VC-backed startups
  • Teams scaling API usage
  • Early-stage AI founders

Is my startup eligible?

Partner-VC route

I may apply if…

  • My startup is backed by a VC in OpenAI’s partner network.
  • My VC can provide its unique referral code and application route.
  • I can describe my product and planned API use.

I should check carefully if…

  • I have not confirmed whether my VC is a partner.
  • I do not have a VC referral code for this route.
  • I expect account registration alone to include startup credits.

These checks apply to the partner-VC route only. Ramp and Grove have separate entry conditions.

Which route should I check?
  • I have a partner-VC referral. Request the VC code and follow its submission instructions. Official referral requirements
  • I am considering Ramp rewards. Confirm redemption eligibility and the actual offer with Ramp before signing up. Check the Ramp listing
  • I have no VC referral. The VC route needs a code. OpenAI also mentions credits at events such as hackathons; check each event’s terms. This is not a guaranteed, always-open grant. Official FAQ on event credits

What could affect my benefits?

I am not sure my VC is a partner

I need to confirm the referral route.

Ask my investor whether it is in OpenAI’s network and how its portfolio companies access credits.

I have an OpenAI account but no credit award

An account is not a credit grant.

Complete the referral process and check the award before budgeting around free API usage.

I expect every advertised benefit

I should check what my award includes.

The official FAQ describes possible benefits. Confirm the actual credit amount, rate limits and support offered to my company.

I am considering Ramp rewards

I need to confirm redemption eligibility.

An advertised listing alone is not an approved grant.

A referral, an account and an approved credit award are different things.Official benefit conditions

How do I apply?

Partner-VC route

  1. Confirm my VC’s referral

    Ask my investor whether it is an OpenAI partner, then request the unique referral code and current submission instructions.

  2. Prepare my company and API information

    The official FAQ says no pitch deck is required. Have these details ready:

    • VC referral code
    • Product description and planned API use
    • Company name, team contacts and a valid business email
    • Basic funding details and my OpenAI organization ID

    Find my organization ID · Organization settings → General

  3. Submit through my VC’s route

    Follow the referral instructions and provide the requested information. A general OpenAI account sign-up is separate from this application.

  4. Check the actual grant before using it

    Before budgeting, confirm five things: the actual amount, the organization receiving it, covered services, the expiration date and billing after the credits run out.

    View my credit grants

Review timing: No standard review time is published in the Startup FAQ. Ask my referring VC about the current process.

View official program

Check the official FAQ, then follow my VC’s referral instructions. Founder Perks Guide does not process applications.

Other entry points

  • Ramp rewards. Confirm current access and redemption requirements with Ramp before signing up. View Ramp offer

  • OpenAI Grove. The linked January 2026 cohort is closed. Check the official announcement for later-cohort information. View Grove announcement

What should I know about using credits?

Use the awarded services

Service credits apply only to the service for which they were issued. Confirm which API usage my particular grant covers.

Check the actual expiration

OpenAI’s general service-credit terms specify one year unless otherwise specified. Verify the actual grant and any separate partner terms.

Plan for standard billing

The Startup FAQ says usage switches to standard billing when credits run out. Check my account’s billing setup before continuing.

No cash value or transfers

Service credits cannot be transferred, sold or exchanged for cash. Use them only under the applicable terms.

Official service credit terms

Frequently asked questions

Can I get startup credits without VC funding?

The partner-VC route requires a referral code. Ramp lists a separate offer whose eligibility needs confirmation. OpenAI also mentions credit awards at events such as hackathons; eligibility and availability depend on the event. The linked January 2026 Grove cohort is closed. None of these establishes a guaranteed grant for every unfunded startup.

Official referral and event-credit FAQ

Do ChatGPT startup credits include a ChatGPT subscription?

The startup benefit described here is OpenAI API credits, not an included ChatGPT Plus or Business subscription. API usage and ChatGPT subscription usage are separate. Check the actual award for any additional benefits.

Official API and subscription pricing distinction

What are OpenAI credit grants, and where can I check mine?

For this guide, a credit grant means an awarded balance for eligible API usage; it is not cash or an automatic benefit of creating an account. Sign in to the OpenAI platform, select the organization that received the award and open Billing → Credit grants. Confirm its amount, remaining balance and expiration, then check the award terms for covered services.

View my credit grants (sign-in required)

How much credit can I get?

The public Startup FAQ does not give a fixed amount. Ask my VC what its referral offer includes, then confirm the actual grant in my organization.

Do I need a pitch deck?

No. The official FAQ instead asks for a VC referral code, product and API-use description, company and team contacts with a valid business email, and basic funding information.

Where can I find my organization ID?

Sign in to the OpenAI platform, open Organization settings and look under General. The official FAQ says this ID is requested for credit applications.

How long does approval take?

A standard review time is not published in the current Startup FAQ. Confirm timing with my referring VC rather than assuming a fixed number of days.

Official sources

Checked (PT). Check each channel separately. Amounts or terms missing from a public page remain unconfirmed; a closed cohort does not close other OpenAI routes.