Startup Program revamped: build and grow on Cloudflare with up to $250,000 in credits

Cloudflare expands startup credits to $250,000 for Developer Platform and beyond

Cloudflare is revamping its Startup Program, now offering qualifying early-stage companies up to $250,000 in credits across its Developer Platform, plus Argo and Cache Reserve. The credit system displays usage and associated fees transparently, making it easier to plan for costs after the credit period ends — either when the full amount is consumed or after one year, whichever comes first.

What credits cover

Credits apply to all Cloudflare Developer Platform products — including storage, compute, and database services — as well as Argo smart routing and Cache Reserve. Participants also receive up to three enterprise-level domains featuring CDN, DDoS protection, DNS, WAF, Zero Trust, and related security and performance tools.

Note: credits for the Cloudflare Startup Program apply to Cloudflare products only; this table illustrates similar products in the broader market.

Performance and security tools included

Beyond platform services, the Startup Program extends to Cloudflare’s speed and security offerings. Performance tools like Images, Argo, and Early Hints aim to minimize load times — a key factor in conversion. Security features include Web Application Firewall (WAF), DDoS alerts, bundled protection plans, and Zero Trust solutions for workforce tooling. Founders can also explore what others have built on Cloudflare’s Built with Cloudflare gallery.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet several criteria, detailed on Cloudflare’s startup program page:

• Companies building a software-based product or service
• Founded within the last 5 years (2019-2024)
• Have between $50,000 - $5,000,000 in funding
• Have a LinkedIn profile, valid website, and email address

Founders who haven’t raised $50,000 yet can still apply with the promo code “BOOTSTRAPPED” available for lower credit amounts. Membership in an approved accelerator adds bonus consideration.

Additional support through Workers Launchpad

Cloudflare also runs the Workers Launchpad Program for startups seeking extra help. Beyond the Startup Program credits, participants gain access to bootcamp sessions, Solutions Architect office hours, VC introductions, and Demo Day presentation opportunities.

Why Cloudflare targets founders

The program stems from a simple premise: early-stage founders should spend on innovation, not infrastructure. The startup team—composed of former founders—is focused on removing friction from development. Running a team within Cloudflare’s ecosystem gets applications live in hours rather than days, and the $250,000 in credits is designed to let startups explore more of that platform without upfront cost concerns. Interested parties can apply via Cloudflare’s startup program page.