# Startups

URL: https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/startups

> Up to $150,000 in Hanzo Cloud credits for venture-backed startups -- plus $5 free for everyone and bring-your-own-compute.

The Hanzo Startup Program gives venture-backed teams the credits to build on frontier models and full-stack AI infrastructure without burning runway. Approved startups receive **up to $150,000 in Hanzo Cloud credits**, redeemable across every product on `api.hanzo.ai` -- AI API, GPUs, storage, deploys, and more.

Credits land in the same [cloud-credit balance](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi/billing) every product spends from, so there is nothing new to integrate: apply, get approved, and your existing API keys draw down program credits automatically.

## What You Get

- **Up to $150,000 in credits.** The award scales with stage and traction. Credits apply to all metered usage across Hanzo Cloud.
- **Bring your own compute.** Point Hanzo at your own GPUs or reserved cloud capacity and orchestrate them alongside Hanzo's -- your credits stretch further, and your workloads run where you want.
- **Priority support.** A direct line for architecture, scaling, and model-selection help.

Not accepted yet? You still start with **$5 in free trial credits, no card required** -- enough to make your first calls today. See [Getting Started](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/guides).

## Who Qualifies

The program is built for **venture-backed startups with tier-1 VC backing**. Approval is based on:

- Institutional funding from a recognized (tier-1) venture firm or accelerator.
- An active build on -- or a concrete plan to build on -- Hanzo Cloud.
- An account in good standing at [platform.hanzo.ai](https://platform.hanzo.ai).

> **Techstars companies**
>
> Hanzo AI is a Techstars '17 company. Techstars-backed startups qualify for **custom perks** on top of the standard award -- mention your Techstars affiliation in your application.

## How to Apply

1. **Create your account.** Sign up at [platform.hanzo.ai](https://platform.hanzo.ai) and claim your $5 in free trial credits.
2. **Apply._\* Submit your startup at \*_[hanzo.ai/startups](https://hanzo.ai/startups)** with your company, funding, and what you are building.
3. **Get reviewed.** The team reviews applications and confirms your tier and award.
4. **Build.** Approved credits are added to your organization's balance and draw down automatically as you use the API. Track them in the console's [Usage & Billing](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi/billing) views.

## Related

- [Getting Started](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/guides) -- sign up, claim $5 free, and make your first call
- [Deploy on Hanzo](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi/deploy) -- ship your app with one-click deploy
- [Credits & Billing](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi/billing) -- how trial and prepaid credits work
- [Pricing](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi/pricing) -- per-model and per-unit rates your credits pay for
- [Referrals & Affiliates](https://docs.hanzo.ai/docs/openapi) -- earn additional credits by referring developers