Modal startup credits: free serverless GPU compute for VC-backed AI startups

What you get

• Free credits for Seed to Series A startups (amount not published)
• Custom terms for 'rapidly growing AI-native companies' (Series B+ or more than $30M raised, from partner VCs)
• Technical and GTM support, plus a founder community

Eligibility

• New to Modal
• Seed to Series A: raised any amount from a Modal VC partner (e.g. YC, a16z, Sequoia, Khosla, Neo, HF0, Pear, Lux), or more than $1M in VC from any fund
• Scaling tier: raised more than $30M or post–Series B, with a partner-network VC

Modal only gives this offer to startups referred by one of its partner investors, accelerators or communities. Check with your investor or accelerator for a referral code first.

How Modal startup credits work

Credit types and validity

• Free credits for Seed to Series A startups (amount not published)
• Custom terms for AI-native companies past Series B or $30M+ raised with partner VCs
• Technical and GTM support plus a founder community

How the credits are applied and when they expire

Check the VC partner list in the FAQ on modal.com/startups, sign up for Modal (a payment method is required), then click 'Apply Now' with your funding details. Credits are a one-time grant per tier — you cannot reapply in a tier once credited — and you can track credit status from your Modal account.

For founders in India

No India-specific terms published; Indian startups qualify via partner VCs or $1M+ VC funding like anyone else.

How to apply, step by step

1. Go to modal.com/startups and check the VC partner list in the FAQ
2. Sign up for a Modal account (a payment method is required, per the FAQ)
3. Click 'Apply Now' and complete the application with your funding details
4. Track your credit status from your Modal account after approval

Documents and details to keep ready

• Funding details (partner VC name, or proof of more than $1M VC raised)
• A payment method on your Modal account
• Modal does not publish a full document list

Common reasons applications are declined

• Not new to Modal
• No partner-VC funding and $1M or less raised from other VCs
• Already received credits in that tier (one-time grant)

Tips before you apply

• Check whether any of your investors is on Modal's partner list — then any amount raised qualifies
• Add a payment method when you sign up; the FAQ says it is required
• Apply once you're ready to use it — you can't reapply in a tier after receiving credits

Terms to know

• Credits are a one-time grant; you cannot reapply in a tier once you have received credits in it
• Credit duration and expiry are covered in the FAQ, but the answer was not visible in our fetch