Startup credits / Self-funded
Self-funded startup credits
Startup credit programs that accept founders with no outside funding. Checked on each vendor page, most recently October 14, 2026. Self-funded OK does not mean you qualify: check every rule on the program page.
Open to self-funded founders (9)
- Google for Startups Cloud
Self-funded: Yes, $2k tier
- $2,000 pre-funded (MVP). Up to $200k over 2 yrs (Seed to Series A). AI tier up to $350k (yr 1 covers 100% up to $250k); covers Gemini/Gemma, not third-party models
- Cloudflare for Startups
Self-funded: Yes, $10k tier
- Tier 3 $10k (bootstrapped or under $1M raised, no partner). Tier 2 $100k (under $5M, affiliated partner). Tier 1 $350k ($5M+, partner). 1 year. Workers AI capped $2.5k/$10k/$50k by tier, R2 $10k, AI Gateway not covered
- AWS Activate
Self-funded: Yes, Founders
- Founders: $1k, select up to $5k. Portfolio: up to $200k with an Activate Provider Org ID
- Databricks Startup Program (Neon)
Self-funded: Yes, $1k
- Self-funded (under $1M): up to $1k. VC-backed ($1M+ or recognized accelerator like YC): up to $200k Neon + Databricks. 12 months from acceptance
- Microsoft for Startups
Self-funded: Yes
- Starter credits right away (amount not published), up to $150k over time with verified progress and Azure usage
- PostHog for Startups
Self-funded: Yes
- $50k for 12 months + partner perks (page values at $12k). Not for PostHog AI tools
- ElevenLabs Grants
Self-funded: Yes
- 33M characters for 12 months (over $5,500 value)
- Deepgram
Self-funded: Yes
- $200 free credit, no card
- MongoDB for Startups
Self-funded: Yes, Inspire
- Atlas credits + Voyage AI tokens, 4 tiers (Inspire for bootstrapped), amounts not published
Ask the vendor first (2)
- Vercel for Startups
Self-funded: Unclear, ask
- Up to $30k Flexible Commitment Amount + Enterprise access
- Pinecone Startup Program
Self-funded: Likely, confirm
- Standard tier, Pro Support, usage credits and discounts (amount not published)
Apply in the right order
The $19 Startup Credits Kit gives a 60 minute plan for self-funded founders plus agent prompts that check eligibility and draft each application.
Get the kit for $19