GitHub for Startups 🎁 Program

What you get

GitHub for Startups gives eligible startups $10,000 in GitHub credits to use across the GitHub Enterprise platform for up to 12 months. Credits go to your Enterprise account and pay for Enterprise licences and eligible add-ons, including GitHub Copilot (licences, premium models and agent features), GitHub Advanced Security and other metered products such as Actions. You also get onboarding, office hours and technical guidance.

Who qualifies

GitHub states that eligible startups must:

• be affiliated with a GitHub for Startups partner (a VC, accelerator or startup support organisation);
• have received outside funding, up to Series B;
• be new to GitHub Enterprise, meaning not on an Enterprise plan in the past six months;
• not have received GitHub credits or Enterprise licences before.

Good to know

• You apply through a partner; there is no direct route for unaffiliated startups. GitHub lists its partners on the page, and investors can apply to become one.
• Credits run for up to 12 months; after that, Enterprise and Copilot are billed at normal prices.
• GitHub's free plan remains available if you do not qualify.

Verdict

Useful if your investor or accelerator is a partner and you want Copilot and Enterprise features paid for during your first year. Bootstrapped founders cannot get it. If you do not have a partner investor, GitHub's free plan plus a JetBrains or other editor discount covers most early needs, and you can revisit this program after you raise. Ask your accelerator early, because partner lists change and a code is easier to get during the programme than after it.

1. Check the partner list on the GitHub for Startups page or ask your investor or accelerator whether they are a partner.
2. Get the partner's application link or code.
3. Apply through the partner and set up a GitHub Enterprise account.
4. Use the credits on licences, Copilot, Actions and Advanced Security within 12 months.