Cloudflare Startup Program

Cloudflare applies confirmed credits to eligible usage-based services and includes core security and networking benefits at no cost. Startups can view balances and usage in the Cloudflare dashboard and monthly invoices. Product-specific limits apply: - R2 Object Storage: up to $10,000. - Workers AI: up to $2,500 for Tier 3, $10,000 for Tier 2 and $50,000 for Tier 1; standard partner-model pricing applies. - AI Gateway: temporarily excluded from credit coverage.

Cloudflare increased Tier 3 from $5,000 to $10,000 and Tier 1 from $250,000 to $350,000. Active participants at those previous limits who are approaching their cap may request an upgrade evaluation. Upgrades are not automatic: Cloudflare assesses usage, scaling needs and program engagement individually. An upgrade does not extend or restart the original 12-month expiry. Participants can email [startups@cloudflare.com](mailto:startups@cloudflare.com) with their account ID and a summary of product usage.

Cloudflare must manually enable some advanced features. Email [startups@cloudflare.com](mailto:startups@cloudflare.com) to request Advanced Certificate Manager, SSL for SaaS, Advanced Rate Limiting or additional Load Balancing origins. Submit a Cloudflare support ticket for Bot Management, API Shield, Apex Proxying or additional Zero Trust seats.

Excluded services include AI Gateway (temporarily), domain registration and renewal fees, and Enterprise feature add-ons unless Cloudflare separately approves access. Startups can request add-on access via [startups@cloudflare.com](mailto:startups@cloudflare.com). Magic Transit, Enterprise Spectrum, Dedicated IPs and the China Network require a separate contracted plan and are not covered by startup credits.

Credits expire one year after confirmation or when fully consumed, whichever occurs first. Cloudflare does not currently approve extensions. Participants should record the date of their confirmation email and plan for graduation before credits expire.

The program excludes educational institutions, personal blogs, consultancies, service-based agencies, managed service providers and resellers. Existing Enterprise customers cannot use the Startup Plan. Government and civic projects may instead explore Cloudflare's [Athenian Project](https://www.cloudflare.com/athenian/) for election websites or [Project Galileo](https://www.cloudflare.com/galileo/) for civic projects.

Cloudflare sends three reminders to the application contact before graduation. Participants can move to a paid self-serve plan, downgrade to a Free plan, or discuss an Enterprise contract with Cloudflare before graduation. Enterprise domains not moved to a paid self-serve plan revert to Free at graduation. Cloudflare's terms also state that the payment card on file may be billed after credits expire unless prepaid services are arranged; participants should review their products, plans and billing before expiry.

Participation is available once per startup, and credits cannot be transferred between accounts. Founders managing separate, distinct startups may apply for each using different account IDs and email addresses.

Cloudflare typically reviews applications within 48 hours and sends approved applicants a confirmation email at the address supplied in the form. Applicants who have not heard back should check spam or contact [startups@cloudflare.com](mailto:startups@cloudflare.com). Cloudflare provides a reason for rejection and can re-evaluate an application when the startup supplies supporting information.

Cloudflare states that all tiers include priority ticket support and chat. Participants needing escalation can share their ticket number with Cloudflare's startup team. - Tier 3: developer documentation and Discord community access. - Tier 2: an Account Manager, depending on the case, and technical sessions with Cloudflare experts. - Tier 1: an Account Manager, priority technical support and bi-weekly Solutions Architect office hours.

Participants can [change their domain plan](https://developers.cloudflare.com/billing/manage/change-plan/) in the Cloudflare dashboard. Program benefits include three Enterprise domains, with three Enterprise upgrades available in the account, plus unlimited Business and Pro plans. The dashboard may still show a payment prompt when choosing Pro or Business. Cloudflare states that eligible charges are covered while startup benefits remain active.

Cloudflare decides admission at its sole discretion and may modify, discontinue, suspend or terminate the program. Credits cannot be transferred, refunded, redeemed for cash, sold, purchased or bartered. Participants are responsible for applicable taxes. Benefits last up to one year or until credits are consumed, subject to product limits. R2 credits are capped at $10,000; Workers AI caps depend on the tier and reach $50,000 at Tier 1. Registrar purchases and AI Gateway are excluded. Overages are billed automatically. Participants must create a Cloudflare account and provide a valid payment method. Cloudflare's terms permit it to use participants' company names and logos in marketing. Existing Enterprise customers are excluded. The Startup Plan terms state that no service level agreement is included. After credits expire, Cloudflare may bill the payment card unless prepaid services are arranged. This is a summary, not a replacement for the [program terms](https://www.cloudflare.com/startups/) and [Cloudflare terms](https://www.cloudflare.com/terms/).