Unkey Startups Program

$1,000 in Unkey credits every month until you raise $5M, plus priority support; other startups get 50% off their bill.

Ways to get it

Via Unkey-listed VCs and accelerators
Via VC or accelerator partner
$1,000 in credits per month
- Raised less than $5M
- Working with a VC or accelerator listed on the application form
Form options: Arc, Essence, Homebrew, Preston Werner Ventures, Seedcamp, Sunflower Capital, Techstars, Uncork, YC.
Open program page
Apply directly
Not stated for unlisted investors
- Select 'Other' in the VC or accelerator field of the application form
The page does not say whether applicants without a listed investor get the monthly credits or the 50% discount.
Open program page

Eligibility

Requirements

Raised less than $5M (credit eligibility ends after raising $5M)
Name the VC or accelerator you work with on the application form

Not eligible

Companies that have raised $5M or more no longer get the monthly credits (Unkey says everyone else gets 50% off)

How to apply

1
Sign up for Unkey and note your workspace ID (format ws_...) to include in the application.
2
Open unkey.com/startups and fill in the 'Apply now' form: full name, email, the VC or accelerator you work with, workspace ID, current platform and any extra info.
3
Wait for Unkey to get in touch; the page says the team will follow up after you submit.
4
Ask for the 1:1 onboarding session or migration help if you are moving from another platform.

Gotchas

The credits are $1,000 per month, not a one-time lump sum; the page doesn't say whether unused amounts roll over.
Eligibility for the credits ends once you raise $5M.
The 50% off offer for everyone else has no stated duration or conditions on the page.
The form requires you to pick a VC or accelerator; 'Other' is available, but what it gets you isn't described.

About the Unkey program

Unkey's Startups Program gives $1,000 in credits every month, along with a dedicated Slack channel for priority support, an optional 1:1 onboarding session and hands-on help migrating from your current platform. Eligibility for the monthly credits ends once the company has raised $5 million. Unkey says everyone else gets 50% off their bill, but does not say for how long or what else qualifies for that discount.

The application form asks for your name, email, which VC or accelerator you work with, your Unkey workspace ID, the platform you are migrating from and any extra information. The investor list on the form includes Arc, Essence, Homebrew, Preston Werner Ventures, Seedcamp, Sunflower Capital, Techstars, Uncork and YC, plus an 'Other' option. The page does not say whether the offer differs by investor.

Unkey sells API management and compute plans, both billed on usage. Apart from the $5M funding threshold, the page states no end date for the monthly credits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Unkey give startups?

$1,000 in credits every month, plus priority support in a dedicated Slack channel and migration help. The credits stop once you have raised $5 million.

What if my startup has raised more than $5M?

Unkey's startup page says eligibility for the monthly credits expires after raising $5 million and that everyone else gets 50% off their bill. It does not state how long the discount lasts.

Do I need a VC or accelerator to apply to Unkey's program?

The application form asks which VC or accelerator you work with and lists Arc, Essence, Homebrew, Preston Werner Ventures, Seedcamp, Sunflower Capital, Techstars, Uncork and YC, plus 'Other'. The page doesn't say whether an unlisted investor changes the offer.