Best Startup Grants for SaaS Companies in 2026
Building a SaaS product requires infrastructure, tools, and marketing spend - all before you have meaningful revenue. Fortunately, dozens of companies offer substantial free credits and grants specifically designed for early-stage SaaS startups.
We've curated the most valuable programs across every category a SaaS founder needs. Combined, these grants can save your startup $800K+ in the first two years.
Cloud Infrastructure Credits
Your cloud bill is likely your biggest expense. These programs can cover it entirely for 1-2 years:
AWS Activate - Up to $100,000
The gold standard for cloud credits. Most SaaS startups start on AWS, and the Activate program provides generous credits through accelerator partnerships. Self-service tier gives $1,000; partner tier unlocks up to $100,000.
Google Cloud for Startups - Up to $100,000
Particularly strong if you're building AI/ML features or need BigQuery for analytics. Google's startup program also includes Google Workspace credits and technical mentorship.
Microsoft for Startups - Up to $150,000
The highest single-provider credit amount. Great for startups targeting enterprise customers who are already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pro tip: You can apply to all three and allocate different workloads to each provider, effectively tripling your credits.
Payment & Financial Tools
Stripe - Waived Processing Fees
Stripe's startup program waives payment processing fees on your first $20K-$50K in volume. For a SaaS startup just getting its first paying customers, this is pure margin savings.
Brex - Business Credit Card
Brex offers startup-friendly credit cards with no personal guarantee, plus credits for AWS, Google Ads, and other services. Their startup program can add $50K+ in partner credit value.
Developer Tools
Vercel - Pro Plan Credits
If you're building on Next.js or any modern React framework, Vercel's startup program provides Pro plan access and credits for their edge network.
MongoDB - Atlas Credits
MongoDB Atlas credits let you run managed MongoDB clusters for free. Essential for startups using document databases.
Algolia - Search Credits
Building search into your SaaS? Algolia's startup program provides credits for their search-as-a-service platform.
Marketing & Growth
HubSpot for Startups - Up to 90% Off
HubSpot's startup program offers massive discounts on their CRM, marketing, and sales platform. For SaaS companies, having a proper CRM from day one is critical for tracking leads and customer success.
Segment - Startup Credits
Analytics and customer data infrastructure credits. Segment helps you unify customer data across tools - essential as your SaaS grows beyond a handful of users.
Communication & Support
Intercom - Startup Discount
Customer support and onboarding tools at startup pricing. Intercom is widely used by SaaS companies for in-app messaging, chatbots, and help centers.
Twilio - Communication Credits
If your SaaS sends SMS, emails, or voice calls, Twilio credits can cover your communication costs during the early growth phase.
Design & Collaboration
Figma - Free for Small Teams
Figma offers free access for small teams, and their startup programs provide additional Pro plan credits. Essential for designing your SaaS interface.
Notion - Startup Credits
Notion's startup program provides Plus plan credits. Great for internal documentation, wikis, and project management.
How to Maximize Your Grant Portfolio
Based on our experience helping startups secure $5M+ in non-dilutive funding:
1. Apply early. Don't wait until you need the credits. Most programs have 1-4 week approval times, and some have limited spots.
2. Stack across categories. There's no conflict between having AWS credits AND Google Cloud credits AND Stripe credits. Each covers a different expense category.
3. Track expiration dates. Most credits expire 12-24 months after activation. Create a spreadsheet tracking:
- Program name
- Credit amount
- Activation date
- Expiry date
- Current usage
4. Use a partner or advisor. Programs affiliated with accelerators, incubators, or advisory firms like Clearview Growth Advisory often unlock higher tiers of credits than self-service applications.
5. Prioritize by burn rate. Apply first for credits that cover your biggest expenses (usually cloud infrastructure), then work down to nice-to-haves.
Total Potential Savings
| Category | Programs | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Credits | AWS, GCP, Azure | $350,000 |
| Dev Tools | Vercel, MongoDB, Algolia | $50,000 |
| Payment/Finance | Stripe, Brex | $25,000 |
| Marketing/CRM | HubSpot, Segment | $75,000 |
| Communication | Twilio, Intercom | $30,000 |
| Design/Collab | Figma, Notion | $10,000 |
| Total | $540,000+ |
These numbers are approximate and depend on your specific eligibility and program terms.
Get Started
- Browse all SaaS-relevant deals on ClaimStartupGrants
- Explore by category to find programs specific to your needs
- Need expert help? Clearview Growth Advisory handles applications end-to-end with an 85% approval rate