Year 1
GitLab for Startups — Seed Stage
- Pre-seed/Seed with up to $5M external funding; new customers
GitLab Startup Credits: 2 Programs Explained
Externally funded startups get a free year of GitLab Ultimate (Seed, up to $5M) or 50% off (Series A/B, up to $20M).
Last verified October 29, 2026
Quick answer
Available programs
Externally funded startups get a free year of GitLab Ultimate (Seed, up to $5M) or 50% off (Series A/B, up to $20M).
Don’t miss the next $100K in creditsGet monthly updates on new credits, perks, and funding opportunities. Discover $5M+ in credits.
Best for
Funded teams wanting DevSecOpsSeed startups up to 20 engineersSelf-managed GitLab users
Do you qualify for GitLab?
You likely qualify if
- New GitLab customer
- Externally raised funding
- Seed tier: Pre-seed or Seed with up to $5M raised
- Early tier: currently Series A or B with up to $20M raised
- Self-hosted: usage and analytics features enabled
You won't qualify if
- Existing GitLab customer
- Bootstrapped (no external funding)
- Raised more than $20M or past Series B
Common rejection reasons
- No external funding raised
- Existing GitLab customer
- License issuance is at GitLab's sole discretion
How to apply for GitLab
- Check eligibility: new customer, externally funded, within tier caps
- Apply via about.gitlab.com/solutions/startups
- Accept the GitLab Subscription Agreement on approval
- Enable usage/analytics features if self-managed
Stacks well with
Founders who claim GitLab often pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does GitLab give startups?
Year 1: free GitLab Ultimate up to 20 seats; Year 2: 50% off any tier; Year 1: 50% off any tier (up to 20 users); Year 2. Externally funded startups get a free year of GitLab Ultimate (Seed, up to $5M) or 50% off (Series A/B, up to $20M).
Does GitLab take equity?
No. These are non-dilutive credits and perks; you do not give up equity.
Who qualifies for GitLab?
New GitLab customer. Externally raised funding. Seed tier: Pre-seed or Seed with up to $5M raised.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for the main program.
How do I apply for GitLab?
1) Check eligibility: new customer, externally funded, within tier caps 2) Apply via about.gitlab.com/solutions/startups 3) Accept the GitLab Subscription Agreement on approval 4) Enable usage/analytics features if self-managed
Related startup credits
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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.