Startup credits statistics (2026)

How hard are startup credit programs to get into?

22 of 66 programs (33%) typically need an intro from a venture investor, accelerator or partner. 24 (36%) are open to any startup or have light criteria most startups meet, and 3 are closed or unconfirmed right now.

• Open to All Any startup can apply

  4 (6%)

• Most Qualify Light criteria most startups meet

  20 (30%)

• Conditions Specific eligibility criteria apply

  17 (26%)

• VC-Backed Typically needs an investor or partner intro

  22 (33%)

• Closed Not accepting new applicants

  2 (3%)

• Unconfirmed Status not confirmed by the provider

  1 (2%)

The access level describes a program's easiest tier. Many programs have a small open tier and a larger one that needs an investor: AWS Activate, for example, has a tier for self-funded founders, while its largest amounts go to startups backed by an Activate Provider.

How much are startup credit programs worth?

44 of 66 programs publish a maximum dollar value. The median is $17,500, and 11 programs list $100,000 or more. Added together, the published ceilings come to $2.6M. No single startup gets all of that: each ceiling is the top tier of its program.

• $100,000 or more

  11 (17%)

• $10,000 to $99,999

  18 (27%)

• Under $10,000

  15 (23%)

• No dollar figure published

  22 (33%)

The 10 largest published ceilings

Which categories have the most startup programs?

AI & ML Credits is the largest category with 16 programs, followed by Developer Tool Credits (11) and Cloud Credits (8).

• AI & ML Credits

  16 (24%)

• Developer Tool Credits

  11 (17%)

• Cloud Credits

  8 (12%)

• Marketing & Analytics

  7 (11%)

• Productivity

  6 (9%)

• Auth & Identity

  5 (8%)

• Communication & Email

  3 (5%)

• Business Software Credits

  2 (3%)

• HR, Payroll & EOR

  2 (3%)

• Grants

  2 (3%)

• GTM & Enterprise Programs

  1 (2%)

• AI Programs

  1 (2%)

• Security & Compliance

  1 (2%)

• Legal & Incorporation

  1 (2%)

How often do startup programs change?

Programs change terms, close and disappear more often than most lists reflect. These are the changes we have logged since September 3, 2026. One entry can cover several programs, and every entry is in the program changelog.

Methodology

• What counts as a program. A provider's own startup offer with a public page: credits, free plans or discounts for startups. One-off software deals are listed separately under Deals & Perks and are not counted here.
• Where the numbers come from. Each program's terms are read from the provider's own pages. The CSV has the date we last checked each program, where we have one on record.
• Access level. Our rating of how hard the easiest tier is to get: open to all, light criteria most startups meet, specific conditions, or typically needs an investor or partner intro.
• Maximum value. The highest dollar amount the provider publishes. Programs that publish free months or size credits case by case have no dollar figure and are left out of the median.
• Coverage. This is the set of programs we track, not every startup program in existence.

Use this data

The figures and the CSV are free to use with a link to this page (CC BY 4.0). Cite it as: Credit for Startups, "Startup credits statistics (2026)", creditforstartups.com/statistics, updated November 11, 2026.

Writing about startup credits or AI costs and need a different cut of the data? Email Brady and we'll pull it.