Anthropic opens its Claude Startups program to more founders
According to Anthropic, Claude Startups members get Claude credits and products, discounts on partner tools, and support for building a business on Claude, the company's AI model. Anthropic lists virtual office hours with its Applied AI team, help preparing a listing for Claude Marketplace (where Claude users find connectors and plugins), and access to events like hackathons and meetups, with limited space. Anthropic says the program is expanding to more founders. For a small studio or business already building a product on Claude, this could offset early software costs.
- For
- Founders of small companies, including creatives and small business owners, who are building a product or service on top of Claude.
- Cost
- Anthropic does not state any fee to apply. Anthropic values member benefits at up to $7,000 in Claude products and credits. This includes a free year of Claude Team with up to five Premium seats for companies new to Team, which Anthropic values at $6,000 based on $100 per seat per month billed annually. It also includes a one-time $1,000 API credit available once approved. Actual value depends on your number and type of seats, and credits are subject to Anthropic's Supplemental Credit Terms. Partner discounts in the Claude Startup Stack are valued by Anthropic at up to $45,000 combined at partner list prices as of September 2026. Partners set the terms, and your company may not be able to receive or combine all offers.
- Access
- Anthropic says startups founded in the last five years or funded in the last two are eligible to apply. The program is aimed at companies building on Claude. The free Team year applies to companies new to Claude Team. Applications are through the Claude Startups page.
Your moveCheck whether your business was founded within the last five years or received funding within the last two. If it qualifies and you build on Claude, read the Claude Startups page and the credit terms before applying.
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