GitHub for Startups

Overview

GitHub for Startups gives early-stage companies $10,000 in flexible platform credits so they can adopt GitHub Enterprise, Copilot, Advanced Security, Actions, and other metered offerings.

Program Credits & Benefits

• Credits: $10,000 in GitHub credits applied to GitHub Enterprise license costs and eligible add-ons, including Copilot (licenses, premium models, and agentic capabilities) and GitHub Advanced Security.
• Duration: Credits are valid for up to 12 months from approval, ending at full consumption or the 12-month mark, whichever comes first. After credits expire, active products automatically transition to standard paid billing.
• Included tooling: GitHub Enterprise includes 50,000 included GitHub Actions minutes, plus Code Security, Secret Protection, Dependabot, Actions, and Packages.
• Support: Tailored onboarding, office hours, and technical best practices, plus access to a community of 40,000 startups, 300,000 developers, and 1,000+ venture and ecosystem partners.

Eligibility

Applicants must be affiliated with a GitHub for Startups partner, have outside funding up to Series B or earlier, be new to GitHub Enterprise (not on an Enterprise plan within the past six months), and must not have previously received GitHub credits or GitHub Enterprise licenses. Credits apply only to the submitted Enterprise account and cannot be transferred; prior Microsoft or GitHub credits disqualify you. Data residency is not supported.

How to Apply

1. Review the GitHub for Startups partner list and apply through a partner or with a partner referral.
2. Submit the application; if approved, the account admin receives an onboarding email within 24 hours.
3. Expect an authorization charge on the payment method within a few weeks of onboarding; a missing or failed authorization locks the account. Downgrading before credits are consumed forfeits remaining credits and bars reapplication.