GPU credits for startups (2026)
Free GPU hours and compute credits from GPU clouds, inference platforms, NVIDIA programs and public supercomputers. Use these for training, fine-tuning and inference when general cloud credits do not cover GPUs.
We track 13 programs in this category from 11 providers: all 13 are open now. 11 are open to startups worldwide and 2 are limited to specific countries or regions. The largest headline value among open programs is E2E Networks Startup Program from E2E Networks (AI Explorer: $5K (₹5 lakh) free credits; AI Builder: up to $50K; AI Scaler: up to $100K…). Across the 9 open programs with a stated value, the median is $20,000. Most common types: GPU cloud (6), Inference accelerator (1), AI compute platform (Ray) (1), Chip vendor developer program (1). 2 do not require a registered company, and 1 accepts students or researchers.
Guides: Free AI credits for startups (2026): every program compared · Free GPU credits for startups (2026): Runpod, Lambda, NVIDIA, EuroHPC and more
All 13 programs, open first and largest first
| Program | What you get | Where | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E2E Networks Startup ProgramE2E Networks | AI Explorer: $5K (₹5 lakh) free credits; AI Builder: up to $50K; AI Scaler: up to $100K (₹1 crore) in usage-based GPU cloud discounts | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-30 |
| SCALE by GMI CloudGMI Cloud | Up to $40K+ in structured credits (MaaS credits, 1:1 matching, GPU voucher) plus partner perks and mentoring; no equity | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-30 |
| Runpod Startup Program — Growth TierRunpod | $25,000 bonus credits when you commit $50,000 upfront ($75,000 total) | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Anyscale AI Startup ProgramAnyscale | Up to $20,000 in Anyscale credits + field-engineer support | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10 |
| Lambda Cloud compute offer for Y Combinator companiesLambda | $20,000 in Lambda Cloud credits for on-demand GPU instances | 18 countries | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Nebius for Startups (NVIDIA Inception offer)Nebius | $5,000 introductory credits + up to $150,000 in compute discounts as you scale | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Lambda Cloud credits for NVIDIA Inception membersLambda | $1,000 in Lambda Cloud credits for on-demand GPU instances (B200, H100, A100, GH200) | 18 countries | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Runpod Startup Program — Starter TierRunpod | $1,000 in free Runpod credits | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| AMD AI Developer ProgramAMD | $100 in AMD Developer Cloud credits (AMD Instinct GPUs) on joining, plus training and perks | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Arm Flexible Access for StartupsArm | $0 access to Arm IP portfolio, $0 licence fee for prototypes, plus free tools, training and support (no $ value stated) | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Modal for StartupsModal | 'Thousands' of free GPU credits for Seed–Series A; custom credits for Series B+ (no fixed figure published) | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| NVIDIA InceptionNVIDIA | Free membership: partner cloud credits, preferred GPU/hardware pricing, DLI training, VC introductions (no fixed $ value published) | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
| Vast.ai Startup ProgramVast.ai | Dollar-for-dollar credit match on verified compute spend, up to an amount set on approval (no fixed figure published) | Worldwide | Open | 2026-10-22 |
Other categories
AI credits for startups · Cloud credits for startups · Free developer tools for startups · Data & analytics perks for startups · Security & compliance perks for startups · Business software perks for startups · Banking & payments perks for startups · Cash grants & prizes for startups · Government grants for startups · Research & student founder programs · Equity-free accelerators & incubators
Program terms change often. Open a program to see its official source and verification date, and confirm on the provider's page before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.