Claude Startups offers a free year of Team with up to five Premium seats
Anthropic's October 6 expansion of Claude Startups offers companies new to Team a free year with up to five Premium seats. Approved members can also receive a one-time $1,000 API credit. Startups founded within five years or funded within two can apply.
SessionWatcher editorial · Published · Updated · Source announcement: 2026-10-06
Related guide: How to check your Claude Code usage
A free year of Claude Team
Anthropic announced an expansion of Claude Startups on October 6, 2026. Members can get a free year of Claude Team with up to five Premium seats, limited to companies new to Team.
The offer specifies a year of free Team access, but the announcement does not give an application deadline or a calendar end date for the promotion.
Sources: We’re expanding the Claude Startups program to help founders build | Claude by Anthropic
API credit and eligibility
Members can also receive a one-time $1,000 API credit, available as soon as they are approved. Credits are subject to Anthropic's Supplemental Credit Terms.
Startups founded in the last five years or funded in the last two are eligible to apply through the Claude Startups page. Eligibility to apply is not automatic approval.
Sources: We’re expanding the Claude Startups program to help founders build | Claude by Anthropic
AI assisted reporting, checked against the linked official sources. Source pages checked 2026-10-11. Editorial process and corrections.