Anthropic’s startup program gives eligible startups a free year of Claude Team, up to 5 seats, plus $1,000 US in API credits and up to $45,000 US in offers from partner tools.
Here’s who qualifies, how to apply, and what to do once you’re in.
Before you start
What you need: a startup that qualifies (see step 1) and a work email.
How long: about 10 minutes to apply. Anthropic aims to review within a week.
Tech skills: none.
Free or paid: free to apply.
The link: claude.com/programs/startups
What’s in it
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Claude Team | Free for a year, up to 5 seats |
| API credits | $1,000 US, for the Claude API in the Claude Console. They’re reported to expire 6 months after they’re granted. |
| Partner offers | Discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 US from companies building with Claude, redeemed in the Claude Console |
Step 1: Check you qualify
Time: 1 minute.
You can apply if either is true:
- Your company was founded in the last 5 years
- Your company raised money in the last 2 years
Bootstrapped companies count. A company that’s never raised a cent can qualify on age alone.
Already paying for Claude Team? The free year is reported to be for organisations new to Team. Personal Pro or Max plans don’t count as Team.
Step 2: Sign in to the Claude Console
Time: 3 minutes.
Go to the program page and click through to apply. You’ll sign in to the Claude Console. Use your work email, ideally on your company’s domain.
Step 3: Fill out the application
Time: 5 minutes.
Have these ready:
- Company name and website
- When you were founded
- Your funding stage, and when you last raised (if you have)
- One or two lines on what you’re building with Claude
You’ll know it worked when you’ve submitted and see your application in the Console. Then wait for the review.
Step 4: Once you’re approved
- Set up Team and invite up to 4 others. Everyone gets their own login instead of sharing one.
- Use the API credits early. If they expire after 6 months, the clock starts when they land.
- Go through the partner offers in the Console and claim the ones you’d actually use.
Backed by a VC?
If your investor is in Anthropic’s partner network, you may be able to get up to $100,000 US in extra API credits. Those are claimed through your VC, so ask them.
The final check
- I’m founded in the last 5 years, or raised in the last 2
- I checked the program page for the current capacity status
- I applied through the Claude Console with my work email
- Once approved, I invited my team and started using the credits
If something looks different
The page says it’s over capacity. That’s Anthropic’s current status. Applications are being re-reviewed. Check back on the page for updates.
I haven’t heard back after a week. Check the Console for your application status, and check your spam folder for anything from Anthropic.
My credits won’t work on AWS or Google Cloud. They only work on the Claude API directly, through the Claude Console. Not on Bedrock or Vertex AI.