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Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

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Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#21
post #20
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GCP has a regular small startup program that doesn’t require that you have VC funding or specific accelerator backing. It isn’t nearly as much, but I got $1000 on top of the initial $300 for my bootstrap.

I need that! Who do I talk to?

I applied here: https://cloud.google.com/developers/startups/apply/

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#22
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The earlier the better. None of them have exclusivity but they do have requirements on funding. If you already raised too much it can be problematic, or if you're already a paying customer them switching to credits might require extra work. Sometimes they require you to have a VC or accelerator intro for the higher tiers but you may be able to get around it if you know the right people.

GCP has a regular small startup program that doesn’t require that you have VC funding or specific accelerator backing. It isn’t nearly as much, but I got $1000 on top of the initial $300 for my bootstrap.

I cant reveal much but they did change the rules and added a new smaller package. All 3 levels are technically available directly without an intro but again may take work to navigate the right relationships.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#23
post #20
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GCP has a regular small startup program that doesn’t require that you have VC funding or specific accelerator backing. It isn’t nearly as much, but I got $1000 on top of the initial $300 for my bootstrap.

I need that! Who do I talk to?

Find a google developer advocate and ask for an intro as well.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#24

A great list. As a founder of a bootstrapped SaaS, I am always on the lookout for discounted startup plans, and am amazed at how hard it is to find this information. For instance, we had been using the free edition of HubSpot (mentioned in this list) for about 6 months, and it wasn't until we spoke to support about a problem that a return callback from a sales rep mentioned that they have a 90% discount on their paid…

I believe it's under the assumption that you (a funded start up) will be around longer than something that might go under and not worth eating the cost of the discount without the pay off of a full price subscription later.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#26
Really nice list. As a startup person, I try to keep track of these. I also try to keep track of the time lines, so if necessary I can switch service providers as credits come close to expire(unless they have really impressed me). AWS only lasts a year, azure usually lasts a year but you can get it extended as well.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#27

Postmark has the most interesting credit IMO, even if it's not a particularly huge one: > Postmark - If you’ve launched your product, are charging for it, and haven’t taken outside investment, contact the Postmark support team and they'll give you $75 account credit to help with your email costs. A lot of these discounts are based on the assumption that you're a VC-backed, or about-to-be-VC-backed startup, that will…

I also like how it's credit rather than a time-limited plan. Some projects might not take off in 3-months? 12? Especially if it's 1 person working in their spare time, having a bunch of trials running out is pressure you don't need. Credit on the other hand runs out when you actually use it, so is much more likely to coincide with you being ready to pay for the service.

> Credit on the other hand runs out when you actually use it, so is much more likely to coincide with you being ready to pay for the service.

Most have an expiry on them. A credit is (typically) a liability on the balance sheet, so companies can't have unlimited exposure weighing down their book value.

If credits expire after a certain amount of time, or are time limited in their offer, such as discounts for 12 months, there isn't the same exposure to potentially unlimited liabilities in non-expiring credits.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#28

Postmark has the most interesting credit IMO, even if it's not a particularly huge one: > Postmark - If you’ve launched your product, are charging for it, and haven’t taken outside investment, contact the Postmark support team and they'll give you $75 account credit to help with your email costs. A lot of these discounts are based on the assumption that you're a VC-backed, or about-to-be-VC-backed startup, that will…

I would really appreciate a similar list for open-source projects

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#29
post #28

Postmark has the most interesting credit IMO, even if it's not a particularly huge one: > Postmark - If you’ve launched your product, are charging for it, and haven’t taken outside investment, contact the Postmark support team and they'll give you $75 account credit to help with your email costs. A lot of these discounts are based on the assumption that you're a VC-backed, or about-to-be-VC-backed startup, that will…

I would really appreciate a similar list for open-source projects

https://github.com/nayafia/lemonade-stand/#grants

Not exactly what you asked for, but should get you started down that path if you desire funding for your open source project.

Re: Startup Credits – Free/discounted plans for startups

#30
That is a neat and very useful list that I'll be sure to pass around. I'll also add a little email to the effect that these are all companies that have alternatives and that the whole goal of these 'free' or discounted plans is to get you locked in to some product.
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