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Claude for Startups: Anthropic's program for founders on Claude

Open applicationLast verified 15 October 2026

Credit amount (provider's words)

Discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from partner companies; up to $100K additional API credits via partner VCs

As stated by Anthropic; not a guarantee. Anthropic decides who is approved.

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Claude for Startups is Anthropic's cohort-based program for early-stage founders building on Claude, with discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from partner companies plus biweekly sessions with Anthropic's Applied AI team. The current cohort is full and applications are closed, but startups backed by a VC in Anthropic's partner network may still claim up to $100K in API credits through that VC.

Claude Startups is Anthropic's cohort-based program for early-stage founders building on Claude. Members get the Claude Startup Stack of partner offers, biweekly Applied AI group sessions and events — but the current cohort is full and applications are closed.

What you get

  • Discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from companies building with Claude (Claude Startup Stack, redeemed by code in Claude Console)
  • Live group sessions with Anthropic's Applied AI team every other week, with AMA
  • Invites to Claude Startup events, hackathons and community meetups
  • Separately: startups backed by a VC in Anthropic's partner network may get up to $100K in additional API credits, claimed through the VC

Eligibility

  • Early-stage founders building on Claude
  • Applications are currently closed — the cohort is full
  • Extra API credits require backing from a VC in Anthropic's partner network

How Claude for Startups works

Credit types and validity

  • Claude Startup Stack: discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from companies building with Claude (redeemed by code in Claude Console)
  • Live group sessions with Anthropic's Applied AI team every other week, with AMA
  • Invites to Claude Startup events, hackathons and community meetups
  • Separately: up to $100K in additional API credits for startups backed by a VC in Anthropic's partner network, claimed through the VC

How the credits are applied and when they expire

The program runs in cohorts; the current one is full, so subscribe to the Claude Startup newsletter on claude.com/programs/startups to hear when the next opens. Claude Startups credits apply to the first-party Claude API through Claude Console, not to Claude via AWS, Google Cloud or Azure. VC-backed startups should ask their investor whether it's in Anthropic's partner network and claim API credits through it.

Approval time

Not published; applications currently closed (cohort full)

For founders in India

No India-specific terms published on the program page.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Subscribe to the Claude Startup newsletter on claude.com/programs/startups to hear when the next cohort opens
  2. When applications reopen, apply from the same page
  3. If you are VC-backed, ask your investor whether it is in Anthropic's partner network and claim API credits through them

Documents and details to keep ready

  • Not published (applications closed)

Tips before you apply

  • Subscribe to the Claude Startup newsletter so you can apply as soon as the next cohort opens
  • If you're VC-backed, ask your investor about Anthropic's partner network for up to $100K in API credits
  • Build on the first-party Claude API via Claude Console if you want the credits to apply

Terms to know

  • Current cohort is full; not accepting new applications
  • Credits apply only to the first-party Claude API via Claude Console, not AWS, Google Cloud or Azure

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to Claude for Startups now?

Not right now. Anthropic says its current cohort is full and it is not accepting new applications; subscribe to the Claude Startup newsletter to hear when the next cohort opens.

What do Claude for Startups members get?

Discounts and credits worth up to $45,000 from companies building with Claude, biweekly live sessions with Anthropic's Applied AI team, and invites to events, hackathons and meetups.

How do I get Anthropic API credits through my VC?

If your startup is backed by a VC in Anthropic's partner network, you may be eligible for up to $100K in additional API credits, claimed through your VC.

Do the credits work on AWS Bedrock or Google Cloud?

No. Claude Startups credits apply to the first-party Claude API through Claude Console.

What happened to applications that were in review?

Anthropic says that because the cohort filled, it couldn't move forward with applications still in review and emailed everyone affected, encouraging them to apply for the next cohort.

Checked against Anthropic's own pages on 15 October 2026. Official sources:

Spotted an outdated detail? Tell us through the contact page.

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