Neon / Databricks Startup Program 🎁 Program

What you get

Neon, the serverless Postgres provider now part of Databricks, runs the Databricks Startup Program with two tracks:

• Self-funded: up to $1,000 in Neon credits, onboarding help from the Neon product team and early access to new features.
• Venture-backed: up to $200,000 in Neon and Databricks credits, plus onboarding, early access, speaking slots at Neon developer events and co-marketing.

The exact amount depends on your stage and funding.

Who qualifies

• Self-funded track: early-stage, self-funded startups with less than $1M in funding, building an early product or MVP.
• Venture-backed track: startups that have raised at least $1M from VCs, or that are in a recognised accelerator (Neon names Y Combinator as an example), building an early product or MVP.

Existing Neon or Databricks users can apply, and credits are added to your current account.

Good to know

• Credits are valid for 12 months from acceptance.
• When credits run out or expire, your account continues on your chosen plan and normal billing applies; there is no commitment to stay.
• Neon's free plan is a useful starting point before you apply.
• Applications are usually answered within a few business days.

Verdict

An easy win for any startup on Postgres. The self-funded track is small but quick; the venture-backed track is large, especially if you also use Databricks for data work. Apply when you start real usage rather than at sign-up, because the 12-month clock starts at acceptance. If you are self-funded today, you can apply again under the venture-backed track only if Neon allows it, so ask the team before you raise.

1. Sign up for Neon (the free plan is enough to start).
2. Choose the self-funded or venture-backed track based on your funding.
3. Submit the application on neon.com/startups (or ask your investor whether they have a referral).
4. Wait a few business days; if approved, credits are added to your account for 12 months.