Cloudflare for Startups — platform credits

Cloudflare for Startups covers core security and networking — DDoS and bot protection, a WAF, a CDN, and three Enterprise domains — at no cost on every tier. Credits are deducted only for usage-based services: Workers, storage (R2 covered up to $10,000), and Workers AI (capped by tier, up to $50,000).

Credits are valid for one year or until fully used, whichever comes first, and can't be extended. If you outgrow your tier, an upgrade isn't automatic — email startups@cloudflare.com with your account ID and a usage summary, and Cloudflare's team evaluates it case by case. An approved upgrade doesn't reset your 1-year clock; the extra credits still expire with your original 12-month cohort. Cloudflare may change or discontinue the program at any time.

Three tiers, by funding raised:

• Tier 3 ($10k credits): bootstrapped or self-funded, under $1M raised. Includes community & events, developer docs, and Discord access.
• Tier 2 ($100k credits): under $5M raised, or funded by an affiliated partner. Adds a case-dependent account manager and technical sessions with Cloudflare experts.
• Tier 1 ($350k credits): $5M+ raised and funded by an affiliated partner. Adds a dedicated account manager, priority technical support, and bi-weekly Solutions Architect office hours.

Every tier also requires: a for-profit business founded within the last 10 years, funded up to Series B (the page also says "funded within the last 12 months" — kept as-is, an inconsistency on Cloudflare's own page), building a technology product, a public website, a public LinkedIn/X/GitHub presence, and a business email matching your domain. First-time applicants only — not open to educational institutions, personal blogs, consultancies, agencies, MSPs, or resellers.

Apply on the Cloudflare for Startups page (cloudflare.com/startups). Review typically takes up to 48 hours and you're notified by email at the address on your application. You'll need a Cloudflare account and a valid payment method on file.