OpenAI, Anthropic Offer Up to $500K Free AI Credits to Startups, Targeting $800M in Total Credits

According to the Wall Street Journal on July 7, OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI companies are providing startups with free computing credits and discounts to win enterprise customers. Some early-stage companies have received cloud computing and token credits totaling over $3 million, approaching the median seed round funding in the U.S. according to PitchBook data.

OpenAI and Anthropic are particularly focused on Y Combinator startups. OpenAI offers $500,000 in free token credits to participating companies without requiring equity, with an option for an additional $1.5 million in credits in exchange for equity. Anthropic increased its free credits for YC startups to $500,000 without equity requirements. Industry observers estimate OpenAI and Anthropic could collectively provide up to $800 million in AI credits within the next year across all YC cohorts.