RunpodStartup Program
Build on Runpod from day one. Credits and hands-on support for AI startups, from your first GPU workload to production scale.
Apply with a short online form. You don't need a Runpod account to apply.
Building an audience around your work? Check out the Creator Program. Working in a lab or university? See Runpod for academic research.
Three tiers, based on what you've raised
Every tier gets full access to the Runpod platform: Pods, Serverless, Clusters and Storage. Tiers are based on funding raised, which we may verify.
For early-stage startups with a real AI workload and near-term GPU needs.
- Use credits across Pods, Serverless, Clusters and Storage
- Self-serve onboarding
- Approved startups get a credit code by email
- Credits expire 1 year after they're issued
For portfolio companies of verified VCs, a16z and Neo today. Raised under $5M.
- Apply with the form and name your VC firm
- Use credits across Pods, Serverless, Clusters and Storage
- Our team follows up as your usage grows
- Move to Growth Track later and keep your Venture credits
- Credits expire 1 year after they're issued
Fixed packages with no redlines. Commit upfront and we add bonus credits.
| You commit | Bonus credits |
|---|---|
| $25K | +$10K |
| $50K | +$25K |
| Over $50K | Talk to sales |
- Standard terms, no redline rounds
- A person reviews and approves every application
- A dedicated account team once you're in
- Credits expire 1 year after they're issued
Compare tiers
| Starter | Venture | Growth Track | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Startups that raised under $1M | Portfolio companies of a verified VC, raised under $5M | Startups that raised over $5M |
| Credits | $1K | $5K | $25K commit: +$10K$50K commit: +$25KOver $50K: talk to sales |
| How to apply | Fill out the application form | Fill out the application form and name your VC firm | Fill out the application form and choose Growth as your track. Our team follows up on the package and agreement. |
| What we review | Your company email, website, LinkedIn, workload, funding and revenue, as you describe them on the form. We may verify funding. | ||
| Approval | Reviewed by our team | Reviewed by our team | A person approves every application |
| How credits arrive | Credit code by email, redeemed on your Runpod billing page | Credits added after our team confirms your verified VC | Bonus credits added with your deposit under the agreement |
| Use credits on | Pods, Serverless, Clusters and Storage | ||
| Credit expiry | 1 year after credits are issued | ||
| After you're in | Self-serve onboarding | Our team follows up as you scale | A dedicated account team |
One offer per company. Tiers are based on funding raised, which we may verify.
Through a verified VC
If a verified VC backs your company, you can get $5K in Runpod credits. Verified VCs are firms our team has vetted, so not every VC fund qualifies.
- Verified VCs today: a16z and Neo
- Fill out the application form and name your firm where it asks about accelerators, incubators or VC funds
- Venture companies can join Growth Track later and keep their credits
Our verified VCs
Three steps to startup credits
Fill out the application form
Tell us about your company, funding and workload, and choose Starter or Growth. If a verified VC backs you, name the firm in the form. Use your company email. You don't need a Runpod account to apply.
We review
Our team reviews each application against what we look for: a real company, a real GPU workload and near-term GPU needs. Tiers are based on funding raised, which we may verify. A person approves every Growth Track application.
Approved startups get credits
Starter: we email you a credit code to redeem on the billing page of your Runpod account. Venture: credits are added after our team confirms your verified VC. Growth Track: our team sets up your package, and bonus credits are added with your deposit. Use credits across Pods, Serverless, Clusters and Storage.
Startups that are a strong fit
The program is selective. These are the things we check and the teams we're built for.
A real company
- Business email on your company domain
- Live website, LinkedIn and social presence
- One offer per company
Real GPU workloads
- An AI or ML product with real GPU workloads
- Production inference, training or fine-tuning
- Compute-intensive R&D with a clear path to production
Tier by funding raised
- Starter: raised under $1M
- Venture: backed by a verified VC
- Growth Track: raised over $5M
- We may verify funding raised
Ready to build now
- Ready to onboard now, not in six months
- Infrastructure is a current bottleneck
- Looking for a long-term infrastructure provider
Questions? Answers.
Eligibility, credits and how to get started.
How many credits will my startup receive?
It depends on your tier. Starter startups receive $1K in credits. Venture startups receive $5K when a verified VC backs them. Growth Track startups commit $25K or $50K and receive $10K or $25K in bonus credits. For commits over $50K, talk to sales.
Which tier is right for me?
Tiers are based on funding raised. Starter is for startups that raised under $1M. Venture is for portfolio companies of a verified VC. Growth Track is for startups that raised over $5M. We may verify the amount you raised.
Can a company that raised under $5M join Growth Track?
Growth Track is built for startups that raised over $5M, but we review exceptions. Apply and tell us about your workload.
How do you check funding?
The form asks for your funding stage, how much you've raised and any accelerator, incubator or VC fund you work with. We review it with the rest of your application and may verify it.
If I take Venture credits, can I join Growth Track later?
Yes. You get the full Growth Track package bonus, and your Venture credits are not subtracted.
Can my company get credits through two verified VCs?
No. There's one free offer per company. A later Growth Track commit is still allowed.
Can I negotiate a Growth Track package?
Growth Track packages are fixed, with standard terms and no redlines. Commits over $50K or nonstandard terms go to our sales team.
Which email should I use?
Use your company email. We use it to confirm you work at the company, and if you're approved we'll email you there.
When do credits expire?
Credits expire 1 year after they're issued. This applies to every tier.
I'm already a Runpod customer. Can I apply?
Yes, for Growth Track. Existing customers aren't eligible for the free Starter or Venture credits. The form asks whether you already use Runpod and, if you do, for your Runpod account email. For volume discounts or dedicated support, contact your account manager.
What if I'm not accepted?
The program is selective, so we can't accept every applicant. You can still use the full Runpod platform right away through self-serve signup, with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Build on Runpod from day one.
Fill out the application form. We review every application, and approved startups get credits to build on Runpod.