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OpenAI for Startups

LLM 8.9/10

OpenAI offers early-stage startups API credits, typically accessed via a referral code from a partner VC or accelerator.

OpenAI for Startups scores 8.9/10 for free value in LLM. The main constraint: OpenAI API credits for eligible startups (amount discretionary; commonly accessed via partner programs such as Microsoft Founders Hub at ~$2,500). Requires a unique VC referral code.

Category LLM Kind Startup LLM credits Caveats Application page states a 'unique referral code from your VC' is needed; bootstrapped startups without a partner code generally cannot self-apply directly. Card required No Eligibility startups, approval required

Free value score

8.9 / 10
Show the math
Value 10/10
value = 2500 $ one-time
weighted score = 0.7 * 10/10
Model Quality 4.3/10
value = 24 artificial_analysis_score
weighted score = 0.2 * 4.3/10
Volume 10/10
value = 33692722372 tok/mo
weighted score = 0.1 * 10/10
Access 4/10
value = 4/10
score = 4/10

Key metrics

gpt-oss-120b 24 Best model
$2,500 Credit
Yes Commercial use

Models

3 free · 70+ total
Model Family AA Access
gpt-oss-120b GPT 23.8 free
gpt-oss-20b GPT 14.9 free
omni-moderation GPT — free
GPT-5.5 GPT 54.8 paid
GPT-5.4 GPT 51.4 paid
GPT-5.3-Codex GPT 44.3 paid
GPT-5.2 GPT 42.2 paid
GPT-5.4 mini GPT 40 paid
GPT-5.1 GPT 38.9 paid
GPT-5.4 nano GPT 38.2 paid
o3-pro GPT 32.5 paid
o3 GPT 30.4 paid
GPT-4.1 GPT 19.4 paid
GPT-4.1 mini GPT 16.3 paid
GPT-4o mini GPT 6.9 paid
GPT Chat Latest (gpt-chat-latest) GPT — paid
GPT Image 2 GPT — paid
GPT-4o mini Transcribe GPT — paid
GPT-4o Transcribe GPT — paid
GPT-4o Transcribe Diarize GPT — paid
GPT-5 GPT — paid
GPT-5 mini GPT — paid
GPT-5 nano GPT — paid
GPT-5 Pro GPT — paid
GPT-5.2 Pro GPT — paid
GPT-5.4 Pro GPT — paid
GPT-5.5 Pro GPT — paid
gpt-audio GPT — paid
gpt-audio-1.5 GPT — paid
GPT-Realtime GPT — paid
GPT-Realtime-1.5 GPT — paid
GPT-Realtime-2 GPT — paid
GPT-Realtime-Translate GPT — paid
GPT-Realtime-Whisper GPT — paid
text-embedding-3-large GPT — paid
text-embedding-3-small GPT — paid
TTS-1 GPT — paid
TTS-1 HD GPT — paid
Whisper GPT — paid

Showing first 3 of a larger catalog.

What you get

Official page lists requirements: 'A unique referral code from your VC' plus a product description

First-party OpenAI API access

Often stacked with Microsoft Founders Hub for an additional OpenAI credit grant

Targeted at early-stage startups

Limitations

  • VC referral code required

    Applicants must supply a unique referral code from a VC or accelerator partner; bootstrapped startups without an eligible partner cannot self-apply directly.

  • Early-stage startup gate

    The program explicitly targets early-stage startups; established or non-startup companies are not eligible.

  • Manual application and review

    Applications require a product description and are reviewed by OpenAI; approval is not automatic or instant.

  • Finite credit pool (~$2,500 typical)

    The most common grant is $2,500 in API credits (e.g. via Ramp or Microsoft Founders Hub); higher amounts up to $5,000 or more are possible through select accelerator partnerships but are discretionary.

Sources

startups openai gpt api-credits vc-referral
Open service Source ← All LLM