Anthropic gives startups a free year of Claude Team, $1,000 in credits

Anthropic is expanding its Claude for Startups program, adding a package of subsidized access and extra perks for younger companies building on top of its AI models. The company introduced the updated program as part of its SF Tech Week event.

The expanded program gives qualifying companies a free year of Claude Team, Anthropic’s paid plan for groups, with up to five premium seats included. Companies also receive $1,000 in API credits for building with Claude, access to Claude Marketplace — where they can build and offer plug-ins for the service — and the option to book virtual office hours with Anthropic’s Applied AI team.

Eligibility is limited to companies founded within the last five years, or that received funding within the last two years. Interested companies can apply through the Claude for Startups program page.

Anthropic framed the expansion as a bet on how AI’s benefits reach users. “We created this program because we believe the benefits of AI will reach most people through the companies that build on top of models, rather than through the models alone,” the company said in its announcement. “That makes partnering closely with founders and developers central to our mission.”

Why it matters

The expansion suggests Anthropic is betting that subsidizing developer and startup access to its platform — not model capability alone — will determine how AI’s benefits reach most people.