OpenAI for Startups
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
API credits, rate-limit upgrades and solutions-engineering time, not cash. OpenAI publishes no credit amount and no open self-service application: credits are routed through partner VCs. The page states some VCs 'like Thrive Capital, Sequoia, a16z, Kleiner Perkins, and Conviction Partners, are part of our partner network' and that their portfolio companies 'may be eligible for benefits like free API credits'. Founders need a referral code from their VC. Amount recorded as null. (Separately, OpenAI's Researcher Access Program offers up to $1,000 of API credits for research projects.)
OpenAI, L.L.C.
private · supranational
Deadline: rolling — Rolling, but gated by VC referral.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Sectors: ai, any
- Stage: pre_seed, seed, series_a
Effectively restricted to portfolio companies of OpenAI's VC partner network. OpenAI does not publish an open application route for API credits.
How to apply
- Confirm your investor is part of OpenAI's VC partner network and request a referral code. — link
- Submit the credits request with the referral code, product description and API use case.
- Track credit usage in the OpenAI platform billing settings once granted. — link
What you will need
- VC partner referral code
- Product description and API use case
- Company name, team contacts and basic funding details
Source. https://openai.com/business/why-openai/startups/ — checked 2026-08-14
"Some VCs, like Thrive Capital, Sequoia, a16z, Kleiner Perkins, and Conviction Partners, are part of our partner network."