CircleCI Startup Program

Early-stage startups get up to $20,000 in CI/CD compute credits and free support for up to two years.

CircleCIUpdated monthly · checked 6 h ago

CircleCI Startup Program is a developer tools perk from CircleCI worth up to $20,000 in compute credits, for VC- or accelerator-backed startups under 5 years old.

Value: Up to $20K
Who qualifies: VC / accelerator-backed
Benefit type: Credits
Terms: Verified

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While you apply

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What you get

Inside CircleCI Startup Program

Up to $20,000 in compute credits across Docker, Linux, Arm, macOS and Windows, up to 24 months free, plus free Starter Support (valued at $249/mo).

Source: The provider's official program page (circleci.com/startup-program) · as of Nov 12, 2026

Eligibility

Who it's for

Pre-seed Seed Series A VC / accelerator-backed

Funding / backing: VC / accelerator-backed
Startup stage: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
Company age: Under 5 years old
Geography: Global
Recurring / expiry: Promotional period up to 24 months or until credits consumed
Other requirements: Must be new to CircleCI or on the Free plan; founded within the last 5 years; part of a recognized accelerator/VC OR proof of minimum $500K raised. Credit amount and duration vary by stage and location.

How to claim

How to apply for CircleCI Startup Program

What to have ready

Confirmation of your accelerator / investor backing (a referral or partner code)
Confirmation you were founded within the last 5 years

Steps to apply

1Apply at circleci.com/startup-program or email startups@circleci.com.

Good to know: Official page confirms $20k cap, 24-month max, and the $500K-raised-or-accelerator requirement.

Apply at CircleCI

Source: The provider's official program page (circleci.com/startup-program) · as of Nov 12, 2026

Confirmed on November 12, 2026: the page still states “Up to $20,000 in compute credits”

Value is the headline maximum CircleCI advertises. What your company actually receives depends on your eligibility and how you use the program, and terms can change. A comparison, not endorsed by the programs listed. A program labeled Same owner comes from the company that runs StartupPerks. Confirm current terms on the provider's page.

If you don't qualify

Compare other developer tools programs

CircleCI Startup Program has eligibility restrictions. These alternatives have no accelerator or investor requirement. Check each provider’s current terms and availability.

Semaphore Community Edition for Startups

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Up to $12K

Semaphore Cloud free credits

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$15

Questions

CircleCI Startup Program: common questions

How much is CircleCI Startup Program worth?

CircleCI Startup Program is worth up to $20,000 in compute credits.

Who qualifies for CircleCI Startup Program?

CircleCI Startup Program is for VC- or accelerator-backed pre-seed, seed and Series A startups under 5 years old. Must be new to CircleCI or on the Free plan; founded within the last 5 years; part of a recognized accelerator/VC OR proof of minimum $500K raised. Credit amount and duration vary by stage and location.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get CircleCI Startup Program?

Yes. CircleCI Startup Program requires venture or accelerator backing; the higher tiers are unlocked through your investor or accelerator. Must be new to CircleCI or on the Free plan; founded within the last 5 years; part of a recognized accelerator/VC OR proof of minimum $500K raised. Credit amount and duration vary by stage and location.

How do I apply for CircleCI Startup Program?

Apply at circleci.com/startup-program or email startups@circleci.com.

How long do I have to use CircleCI Startup Program, and does it expire?

Promotional period up to 24 months or until credits consumed

Is CircleCI Startup Program available outside the US?

CircleCI Startup Program is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Has CircleCI Startup Program changed its terms?

Not in our reads. We have read CircleCI's page for it 2 times since August 19, 2026, most recently on October 2, 2026. None of them found a different figure or a change in whether it takes applications.

Terms history

CircleCI Startup Program's terms over time

We have read CircleCI's page for it (circleci.com/startup-program) twice since August 19, 2026, most recently on October 2, 2026. No read has found a different figure or a change in whether it takes applications.

Every startup program change we found this quarter

Free CI/CD, comparedBefore you apply: what CircleCI and other CI/CD services give away freeWhat each CI/CD service gives you free today, its main limit and what extra minutes cost, read from each provider's own page.