Oyster Startup Perks
Employer of Record platform helping startups hire, pay, and manage international employees and contractors without setting up legal entities.
Quick answer
Oyster offers eligible startups up to $1,200 in perks and resources, with no equity required. An application is required, and it is open to startups worldwide (pre-seed – series a).
Available programs
Up to $1,200 in savings per team member for the first 12 months
Oyster for Startups
A discounted tier of Oyster's EOR platform for early-stage startups to hire compliantly in 180+ countries. No minimum number of hires required to claim the discount.
- Compliant local employment contracts in 180+ countries
- Global payroll in 120+ currencies with benefits administration
- Tax compliance and ongoing HR support
Best for
Do you qualify for Oyster?
You likely qualify if
- You are a pre-seed, seed, or Series A funded company
- You are bootstrapped with under 50 employees
- You want to hire internationally without entities
You won't qualify if
- You are past Series A or larger than 50 employees (bootstrapped)
- You are a nonprofit or B-Corp (routed to Oyster for Impact instead)
Common rejection reasons
- Company exceeds the funding stage or headcount limits
- Better fit for a different Oyster program
How to apply for Oyster
-
1
Create a free account
Sign up for a free Oyster account on the startups page.
-
2
Request the discount
Self-identify eligibility (funding stage or under 50 employees) and request the discount at sign-up.
-
3
Build and hire your team
Hire internationally on the platform with expert local support.
Stacks well with
Founders who claim Oyster commonly pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Oyster give startups?
Oyster provides eligible startups with up to $1,200 in perks and resources across its programs.
Does Oyster take equity from startups?
No. Oyster's startup perks and credits are non-dilutive — you do not give up any equity to receive them.
Who qualifies for Oyster?
Eligible startups generally must meet criteria such as: Pre-seed, seed, or Series A funded, or bootstrapped with under 50 employees; Request the discount when you sign up.
Is Oyster free for startups?
Applying is free. Oyster provides up to $1,200 in perks and resources with no equity required.
How do I apply for Oyster?
1) Create a free account, 2) Request the discount, 3) Build and hire your team. Full steps are on this page.
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