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GitHub for Startups

$10,000 in GitHub credits for Enterprise, Copilot and Advanced Security, valid 12 months, via a GitHub for Startups partner.

VerifiedLast verified Nov 3, 2026Official source

Worth

$10,000 in GitHub credits for up to 12 months

Credits cover GitHub Enterprise Cloud licenses, Copilot, Advanced Security and other metered add-ons.

Quick facts

Value
$10,000 in GitHub credits for up to 12 months
Type
Credits
Duration
1 year
Stages
Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+
Regions
Global
Max funding raised
Not stated
Max company age
Not stated
Last verified
Nov 3, 2026 · Verified

Ways to get it

  1. Via GitHub for Startups partners (VCs, accelerators, incubators)

    Via VC or accelerator partner

    $10,000 credits, 12 months

    • Affiliated with a GitHub for Startups partner
    • Outside equity funding, Series B or earlier
    • Not on GitHub Enterprise in the past six months; never received GitHub credits or Enterprise licenses
    • Valid payment method on the Enterprise account

    Partners apply or refer startups via the partner application page linked from the program page.

    Open program page

Eligibility

Requirements

  • Affiliated with a GitHub for Startups partner
  • Received outside equity funding (up to Series B or earlier)
  • New to GitHub Enterprise (not on an Enterprise plan in the past six months)
  • Never received GitHub credits or Enterprise licenses before

Not eligible

  • Companies that received GitHub Enterprise credits from Microsoft or GitHub for Startups previously
  • GitHub Enterprise Server and Data Residency deployments
  • Non-equity funding does not count toward the funding requirement

How to apply

  1. 1

    Confirm your investor or accelerator is a GitHub for Startups partner (ask them, or have them apply via the partner application link on github.com/enterprise/startups).

  2. 2

    Create or identify the GitHub.com Enterprise Cloud account the credits should attach to and add a valid payment method.

  3. 3

    Apply through your partner's referral; GitHub responds to the primary email within 2-3 business days.

  4. 4

    Expect an authorization charge on the card within a few weeks; credits are consumed first, then billing moves to the card when they are used up or after 12 months.

  5. 5

    For questions, open a support ticket under the 'Credit Offers - GitHub for Startups' category.

Gotchas

  • Partner-only: no direct application; ineligible teams are pointed to standard free trials instead.
  • One-time offer: prior GitHub Enterprise credits from Microsoft or GitHub make you ineligible.
  • Credits expire at 12 months or on full consumption, whichever is first; then products bill to the card on file.
  • Downgrading from Enterprise forfeits remaining credits and blocks reapplying.
  • A failed authorization charge locks the account.
  • Only GitHub.com Enterprise Cloud qualifies; Enterprise Server and Data Residency are excluded.

About the GitHub program

GitHub for Startups gives eligible startups $10,000 in GitHub credits to spend across GitHub Enterprise Cloud for up to 12 months. Credits cover Enterprise license costs and eligible add-ons including GitHub Copilot, GitHub Advanced Security and other metered offerings; GitHub Enterprise itself includes 50k Actions minutes. GitHub states the previous startup offer (free Enterprise seats) has been discontinued and replaced by this credit model.

You must apply through a GitHub for Startups partner (leading VCs, accelerators, incubators and startup support organizations); the page says this gets you up and running in minutes and that the primary email receives a response within 2-3 business days. Any investor, incubator or accelerator can apply to become a partner or refer a startup.

Eligibility: affiliated with a partner, received outside funding (up to Series B or earlier; non-equity funding does not count), not on a GitHub Enterprise plan in the past six months, and never previously received GitHub credits or Enterprise licenses (including Microsoft-sourced Enterprise credits). A valid payment method is required and GitHub performs an authorization charge within a few weeks; a failed authorization locks the account.

Credits apply only to the submitted Enterprise account, cannot be transferred, and expire on full consumption or 12 months from approval, whichever comes first. After that, active products bill to the card on file. Downgrading from Enterprise forfeits remaining credits and makes you ineligible to reapply. Only GitHub.com Enterprise Cloud is supported (not Enterprise Server or Data Residency); if an Azure subscription is attached, GitHub credits are consumed first and then Azure charges apply.

Frequently asked questions

Does GitHub still give startups free Enterprise seats?

No. GitHub states the previous offer has been discontinued; the current program is $10,000 in credits usable across GitHub Enterprise Cloud, Copilot, Advanced Security and other metered products for up to 12 months.

Can I apply without a partner?

No. Applications go through a GitHub for Startups partner (VC, accelerator, incubator or startup support organization). Partners can apply to join or refer a startup.

What happens when the credits run out?

Active products move to paid billing on the card on file. Credits expire on full consumption or 12 months from approval, whichever comes first.

Do I need a credit card?

Yes. A valid payment method is required and GitHub performs an authorization charge within a few weeks of approval; a failed authorization locks the account.

Compare

Verification. Checked by our automated checker on Nov 3, 2026 against https://github.com/enterprise/startups. Status: verified.

Fetched directly on 2026-11-03. The page states $10,000 in credits, 12-month validity, partner-only application, Series B-or-earlier funding, six-month Enterprise lookback, one-time rule and the discontinuation of the previous seat-based offer.