Cloudflare for Startups: $10k in credits, no minimum funding
Bootstrapped startups under $1M raised get $10,000 of Cloudflare credits for one year. Partner-backed startups can unlock $100k–$350k.
Step-by-step guide
How to do it
Check the eligibility list
Founded within the last 10 years, funded up to Series B, building a technology product, live website, public social presence, business email matching your domain, first-time applicants only.
Apply
Go through the application on the Cloudflare site; confirmation typically arrives within 48 hours by email.
Attach a payment method
Valid payment details are required even with credits as the backup.
Mind the caps
R2 is capped at $10,000, Workers AI at $2,500 (Tier 3) to $50,000 (Tier 1). AI Gateway and domain registration are not covered.
Track the 12-month window
Credits and program benefits expire at the end of the one-year cohort window; no extensions.
Details & Context
Cloudflare's startup program expanded in 2026: Tier 3 (bootstrapped or self-funded, under $1M raised) now awards $10,000 in credits, no minimum funding required. Tier 2 gives $100k for partner-backed startups under $5M raised, and Tier 1 gives $350k for those above $5M. Credits cover Workers, Durable Objects, Workflows, KV, D1, Queues, R2 (capped at $10,000), Workers AI (tier-capped), Pages, Images, Stream and Argo Smart Routing for one year. Core security and networking — DDoS and bot protection, WAF with 1,000 rules, CDN, DNS, load balancing, SSL — is included at no cost regardless of tier. You need a live website, a public presence on LinkedIn/X/GitHub, a business email on your own domain, a tech product, and no previous application. Approval is usually within 48 hours.
Part of a Curated Trick Chain
Step 2 of 5 (Domain & Infrastructure) · Total stack value: $14,899
Eligibility & Verification Requirements
Notes from people who claimed this perk
Real notes from people who actually tested this perk.
