Up to $27,500
Baseten AI Startup Program
- AI-first, VC-funded Seed to Series A startups under 5 years old, new to Baseten
Baseten Startup Credits: Program Explained
VC-funded AI startups at Seed to Series A can get up to $27,500 in Baseten credits.
Last verified October 29, 2026
Quick answer
Available programs
VC-funded AI startups at Seed to Series A can get up to $27,500 in Baseten credits.
Don’t miss the next $100K in creditsGet monthly updates on new credits, perks, and funding opportunities. Discover $5M+ in credits.
Best for
AI-first Seed to Series A startupsTeams serving custom or open-source modelsStartups needing GPU inference fast
Do you qualify for Baseten?
You likely qualify if
- Early-stage, VC-funded, Seed to Series A
- Founded less than 5 years ago
- AI is core to your primary product
- Never received Baseten credits before
- No paid Baseten plan on your domain within 31 days of applying
You won't qualify if
- IPO'd or acquired, or an education, government or nonprofit entity
- Dev shop, consultancy or agency, or crypto-mining company
- Already received Baseten credits
Common rejection reasons
- Not VC-funded or AI isn't core to the product
- Existing or recent paid Baseten customer
How to apply for Baseten
- Check eligibility: VC-funded, Seed to Series A, <5 years, AI-first
- Apply via 'Join the program' at baseten.co/startup-program
- Activate: spend credits within 6 months of grant
Stacks well with
Founders who claim Baseten often pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Baseten give startups?
Up to $25,000 in dedicated inference/training credits + up to $2,500 Model API credits. VC-funded AI startups at Seed to Series A can get up to $27,500 in Baseten credits.
Does Baseten take equity?
No. These are non-dilutive credits and perks; you do not give up equity.
Who qualifies for Baseten?
Early-stage, VC-funded, Seed to Series A. Founded less than 5 years ago. AI is core to your primary product.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for the main program.
How do I apply for Baseten?
1) Check eligibility: VC-funded, Seed to Series A, <5 years, AI-first 2) Apply via 'Join the program' at baseten.co/startup-program 3) Activate: spend credits within 6 months of grant
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Don’t miss the next $100K in credits
Get monthly updates on new credits, perks, and funding opportunities. Discover $5M+ in credits.