Free perks for startups

Free demo + up to 40% off

• Startup listed on Startup Network Pakistan
• Verified badge on the listing (needed for the discount; the free demo is open to all listed startups)
• Signed in to a Startup Network account to see the promo code

Up to $200,000 in AWS credits

AWS Activate gives early-stage startups promotional credits to spend on AWS cloud services. Bootstrapped or self-funded startups apply directly to the Founders tier, which starts at $1,000 in credits. Startups backed by an accelerator, angel investor or VC that is an Activate Provider can apply to the Portfolio tier with that provider's Organization ID. Founders tier: up to $5,000 for self-funded startups. Portfolio tier: up to $200,000 through an Activate Provider. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Pre-Series B
• Founded in the last 10 years
• AWS account on the Paid Tier Plan

Up to $350,000 in cloud credits

Google's startup program gives Google Cloud credits plus technical and business support. The Start tier suits young startups with a working MVP that plan to raise venture funding. The Scale and Scale AI tiers are for startups with verifiable Pre-Seed to Series A funding from a known investor. Start tier: $2,000 in credits. Funded tiers: up to $350,000 over two years. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Start tier: founded in the past 2 years, with a working MVP, a clear business model and plans to seek venture funding
• Funded tiers: verifiable Pre-Seed to Series A funding from a known investor, founded within the last 3-5 years
• Business email must match an active, reachable company website

Up to $150,000 in Azure credits

Microsoft for Startups gives Azure credits, AI tools and technical guidance to software startups. You get some credits right away while eligibility is verified, and more unlock as the startup shows progress and Azure usage. Startups backed by a Microsoft for Startups Investor Network partner may unlock more benefits sooner. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Builds a software product or service the company owns
• Privately held and for-profit
• Headquartered in a country where Azure is available (Pakistan is listed in Azure's offer terms)

Up to $350,000 in credits

Cloudflare gives startups credits for its developer platform, security and network products. Bootstrapped or self-funded companies that have raised under $1M fit the $10,000 tier. The higher tiers are for companies funded by a Cloudflare-affiliated partner. Credits come in tiers of $10,000, $100,000 or $350,000. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Incorporated within the last 10 years
• Funded up to Series B (higher tiers require funding from an affiliated partner)
• Actively developing a technology product

MongoDB Atlas credits

MongoDB for Startups gives Atlas database credits, one-on-one technical advice and co-marketing opportunities. Tiers run from bootstrapped (Inspire) to VC-backed and scaling startups, and the credit amount is confirmed after acceptance. Startups without a VC or accelerator can apply directly on the program page. The amount of credits depends on the programme tier. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Less than 7 years old and Series A or earlier
• Focused on a single software-based product or service (dev shops and agencies are not eligible)
• Not previously accepted into the program

Up to 90% off in year one

HubSpot for Startups discounts HubSpot's marketing, sales and service software for early-stage companies. The 90% tier is for funded startups or those affiliated with an approved partner. A smaller 30% tier is open to startups associated with approved entrepreneurial organizations. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• 90% tier: raised Pre-Seed, Seed or Series A funding, but not Series B or later
• 90% tier: affiliated with an approved HubSpot for Startups partner, or verified venture funding (e.g. on Crunchbase)
• 30% tier: associated with an approved entrepreneurial organization

Up to 6 months of Business, free

Notion gives new customers free months on its Business Plan, which includes monthly AI credits. Startups referred by a Notion partner get 6 months and other tech startups get 3 months. Smaller or service-based businesses usually get 1 month. The offer includes monthly Notion AI credits. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• New, non-paying Notion customer
• Company email and public company website
• 3- and 6-month offers are for startups building scalable, tech-related products

Premium free for 12 months

Atlassian gives eligible startups free Premium plans of Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket and Loom Business + AI for a year, up to 50 seats each. Jira Service Management and Jira Product Discovery are included with smaller seat limits. It suits product teams that are VC-funded or part of a partner accelerator or incubator. Covers up to 50 users. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Not an existing Atlassian paid customer
• VC-funded, or associated with a partner accelerator or incubator
• Has not raised more than US$10 million in external funding

$500 to $1,000 in credit

Miro gives startups a one-time credit toward a paid plan on its online whiteboard. Startups connected to a Miro Startup Program partner get $1,000, and others can apply for $500, which Miro reviews case by case. You need a free Miro account to apply. $1,000 when you apply through a Miro partner, or $500 when you apply yourself. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Free Miro account; not an admin or member of a paid Miro subscription
• Not a service provider such as a consultancy
• Partner route: connected to a Miro partner, independently owned, fewer than 30 employees

$10,000 in GitHub credits

GitHub for Startups gives credits that cover GitHub Enterprise Cloud licenses and add-ons such as Copilot and Advanced Security. You apply through a GitHub for Startups partner, and any investor, incubator or accelerator can refer startups. It suits funded engineering teams moving to GitHub Enterprise. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Affiliated with a GitHub for Startups partner
• Received outside equity funding, up to Series B (non-equity credits don't count)
• New to GitHub Enterprise: no Enterprise plan in the past six months and no previous GitHub credits or licenses

Grants of $50,000 to $1 million

The Pakistan Startup Fund is a government grant run by Ignite that tops up a private investment round without taking equity. It suits Pakistani startups that have a term sheet or are close to closing a round with VCs or other investors. You apply with Ignite's application form, and the process includes due diligence and an investor pitch. The grant is equity-free and covers up to 30% of the investment round. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Legally incorporated in Pakistan, no more than 10 years since incorporation
• Active FBR tax filer
• Secured, or in advanced stages of securing, private investment (term sheet, funding agreement or letter of intent)

Pre-seed accelerator

The Founder Institute runs a structured pre-seed accelerator in Islamabad. It is aimed at idea-stage and pre-seed founders and runs fully online. It is a training and mentorship program, not a cash grant. Check the fees and terms on the programme page before you apply. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Idea-stage and pre-seed founders can apply
• Fully online program
• Founder Institute's published terms: graduating companies pledge 2.5% of future equity as a warrant

$500,000 investment

Y Combinator is a US accelerator that invests in startups from around the world and runs an in-person batch in San Francisco. Accepted companies also get access to credits and deals from partners. Companies incorporated outside the US, Canada, Cayman or Singapore restructure after acceptance, and YC introduces founders to lawyers for this. The standard deal is $125,000 for 7%, plus $375,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Open to founders from anywhere
• YC invests in US, Canada, Cayman or Singapore corporations; a Pakistani company would need to 'flip' to a parent company in one of these
• Batch takes place in person at YC's San Francisco campus

Free

Startup School is Y Combinator's free online resource for early-stage and future founders, with advice curated by YC partners. It also gives access to YC's Co-Founder Matching platform and a weekly update tool for tracking progress. You can sign up online at any time. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Early-stage and future founders
• Free account sign-up

1,000+ free courses

AWS Skill Builder is AWS's online training platform, with a free tier of self-paced cloud courses. It is useful for founders and engineers learning to build on AWS. Paid plans add exam prep and hands-on labs, but they are not needed for the free content. Paid plans are optional. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Free AWS Builder ID account
• Paid plans ($29/month or $449/year) are optional

Free GitHub Pro and partner offers

The Student Developer Pack gives verified students free developer tools from GitHub and its partners. Partner offers include $100 in Azure credit, $50 in MongoDB Atlas credits and free JetBrains tools. It suits student founders who are building their first product. Includes GitHub Copilot for students and dozens of partner offers. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• At least 13 years old
• Enrolled in a degree- or diploma-granting program
• Proof of current student status (school ID, transcript or enrollment letter)

Free courses

HubSpot Academy offers free on-demand lessons on marketing, sales, customer service and using the HubSpot CRM. A free account gives unlimited access to the course library. It suits founders building their first marketing and sales process. Details checked on October 29, 2026. Programmes change their terms, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

• Free HubSpot Academy account