Up to $20,000
CircleCI Startup Program
- New or Free-plan users, Pre-seed to Series A, founded within 5 years, in a recognized accelerator/VC or raised $500K+
CircleCI Startup Credits: Program Explained
Young funded startups get up to $20,000 in CircleCI compute credits and free support.
Last verified October 29, 2026
Quick answer
Available programs
Young funded startups get up to $20,000 in CircleCI compute credits and free support.
Don’t miss the next $100K in creditsGet monthly updates on new credits, perks, and funding opportunities. Discover $5M+ in credits.
Best for
Teams migrating from Jenkins or GitHub ActionsVenture-backed startups with heavy CI usagePre-seed to Series A engineering teams
Do you qualify for CircleCI?
You likely qualify if
- New to CircleCI or on the Free plan
- Pre-seed through Series A
- Founded within the last 5 years
- In a recognized accelerator/VC portfolio or proof of $500K+ raised
You won't qualify if
- You are on a paid CircleCI plan
- You are past Series A or founded 5+ years ago
- You are bootstrapped with under $500K raised and no accelerator
Common rejection reasons
- No proof of accelerator/VC backing or $500K funding
- Existing paid CircleCI account
How to apply for CircleCI
- Check eligibility: new/free plan, pre-seed to Series A, under 5 years old
- Gather proof of accelerator/VC backing or $500K+ funding
- Apply via the form at circleci.com/startup-program
- Activate: credits and Starter Support run until used or the period ends
Stacks well with
Founders who claim CircleCI often pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does CircleCI give startups?
Up to $20,000 in compute credits over up to 24 months, plus free Starter Support. Young funded startups get up to $20,000 in CircleCI compute credits and free support.
Does CircleCI take equity?
No. These are non-dilutive credits and perks; you do not give up equity.
Who qualifies for CircleCI?
New to CircleCI or on the Free plan. Pre-seed through Series A. Founded within the last 5 years.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for the main program.
How do I apply for CircleCI?
1) Check eligibility: new/free plan, pre-seed to Series A, under 5 years old 2) Gather proof of accelerator/VC backing or $500K+ funding 3) Apply via the form at circleci.com/startup-program 4) Activate: credits and Starter Support run until used or the period ends
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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.