6 months of Zendesk
Zendesk for Startups
- New Zendesk customers under 250 employees (50-249 need a partner referral), funded up to Series B, under 10 years old
Zendesk Startup Credits: Program Explained
Early-stage startups up to Series B get 6 months of Zendesk Suite free, extended to 1-2 years through partner VCs and accelerators.
Last verified October 29, 2026
Quick answer
Available programs
Early-stage startups up to Series B get 6 months of Zendesk Suite free, extended to 1-2 years through partner VCs and accelerators.
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Best for
Startups setting up first support deskVC-backed teams up to Series BTeams wanting AI agents and Copilot
Do you qualify for Zendesk?
You likely qualify if
- Brand-new Zendesk customer (never on a paid plan)
- Fewer than 50 employees for the direct program (VC-partner offer: under 100)
- Funded no later than Series B (Zendesk's support article still says Series A or earlier)
- Company under 10 years old (per existing record and creditforstartups)
You won't qualify if
- Existing or previously paying Zendesk customer
- Raised Series C or later (except the 100-250 employee discount-only tier)
- Started a paid subscription before credits were applied
Common rejection reasons
- Already started a paid subscription — credits only apply during the trial phase
- Funding stage, company age or headcount outside the criteria or unverifiable
How to apply for Zendesk
- Check eligibility: new customer, headcount and funding stage for your track
- Apply at zendesk.com/startups (or the partner page your VC/accelerator links)
- Open a trial while waiting, but do not start a paid subscription
- Activate: follow the approval email (partner offers: within 1-2 business days)
- Before month 6, decide on plan; the card on file is charged when the credit ends
Stacks well with
Founders who claim Zendesk often pair it with these to build a bigger credit stack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Zendesk give startups?
6 months of Zendesk Professional Suite + Copilot free (1-2 years via select VC/accelerator partners), up to 50 agents. Early-stage startups up to Series B get 6 months of Zendesk Suite free, extended to 1-2 years through partner VCs and accelerators.
Does Zendesk take equity?
No. These are non-dilutive credits and perks; you do not give up equity.
Who qualifies for Zendesk?
Brand-new Zendesk customer (never on a paid plan). Fewer than 50 employees for the direct program (VC-partner offer: under 100). Funded no later than Series B (Zendesk's support article still says Series A or earlier).
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for the main program.
How do I apply for Zendesk?
1) Check eligibility: new customer, headcount and funding stage for your track 2) Apply at zendesk.com/startups (or the partner page your VC/accelerator links) 3) Open a trial while waiting, but do not start a paid subscription 4) Activate: follow the approval email (partner offers: within 1-2 business days) 5) Before month 6, decide on plan; the card on file is charged when the credit ends
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.