Free for the first
Gem Startup Recruiting plan
- Companies under 30 employees
Gem Startup Credits: Program Explained
Startups with under 30 employees get Gem's all-in-one recruiting platform free for their first six months.
Last verified October 29, 2026
Quick answer
Available programs
Startups with under 30 employees get Gem's all-in-one recruiting platform free for their first six months.
Don’t miss the next $100K in creditsGet monthly updates on new credits, perks, and funding opportunities. Discover $5M+ in credits.
Best for
Startups hiring their first 30 peopleMercury or HubSpot customersFounder-led recruiting teams
Do you qualify for Gem?
You likely qualify if
- New Gem customer
- Mercury customer (Mercury route) or on a paid HubSpot plan via HubSpot for Startups (HubSpot route)
- 30 or fewer FTE (HubSpot and best Mercury tier) or 31-100 FTE (Mercury 50% tier)
You won't qualify if
- You are a VC, PE, staffing or recruiting firm
- You are an existing Gem customer
- You have more than 100 FTE
Common rejection reasons
- Headcount above the tier cap
- Existing Gem customer
How to apply for Gem
- Check headcount and new-customer status
- Claim via Mercury perks or the HubSpot for Startups offers page
- Redeem with Gem's sales team
Stacks well with
Founders who claim Gem often pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gem give startups?
Free for the first 6 months. Startups with under 30 employees get Gem's all-in-one recruiting platform free for their first six months.
Does Gem take equity?
No. These are non-dilutive credits and perks; you do not give up equity.
Who qualifies for Gem?
New Gem customer. Mercury customer (Mercury route) or on a paid HubSpot plan via HubSpot for Startups (HubSpot route). 30 or fewer FTE (HubSpot and best Mercury tier) or 31-100 FTE (Mercury 50% tier).
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for the main program.
How do I apply for Gem?
1) Check headcount and new-customer status 2) Claim via Mercury perks or the HubSpot for Startups offers page 3) Redeem with Gem's sales team
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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.