OpenRouter for Startups

OpenRouter's goal is to help early-stage teams build AI products without infrastructure constraints. The program allows startups to experiment across models, optimize cost and performance, and scale without vendor lock-in while building on OpenRouter.

Eligible startups can receive up to $3,000 in universal inference credits, usable across 500+ models available on OpenRouter, along with 0% processing fees for 12 months (including both platform fees and BYOK fees).

The program is currently open to pre-Series B venture scalable startups and founders building AI-native products full-time who are referred by an approved OpenRouter partner. To qualify, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, including having a public company website, a valid professional email address that matches the company domain and is associated with an individual (generic addresses such as admin@, support@, ops@, and similar aliases are not accepted), and a valid OpenRouter account with less than $500 in lifetime spend. Startup credits may only be received once per applicant, regardless of affiliation with multiple OpenRouter partners. Review the full program's terms & conditions here.

You can apply by submitting the application form on this page. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If approved, the credits and waived fees will be automatically applied to your OpenRouter account associated with an applicant email, and the applicant will be notified.

No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, program availability may change over time.

Yes. OpenRouter supports both OpenRouter credits and the option to bring your own provider keys (BYOK). The cost of using custom provider keys on OpenRouter is 5% of what the same model/provider would cost normally on OpenRouter and is deducted from your OpenRouter credits. The free allowance is plan-dependent and measured by list-price inference cost; see the pricing page for current details. However, if your OpenRouter for Startups application is approved, BYOK fees are waived for 12 months.

Yes. If approved, most credits expire 6 months after issuance. You'll receive an email notification about your credit expiration date. Your platform fees will be waived for 12 months.

Once you've used all your granted credits or they expire—whichever comes first—your account will continue operating under standard OpenRouter pricing. While some models are free to access, you'll need to purchase OpenRouter credits to use certain models. Your processing fees will remain waived for 12 months.

You can continue using OpenRouter with standard pay-as-you-go usage.

No. Startup credits are non-transferable, cannot be resold, and cannot be exchanged for cash.

No. OpenRouter does not sign NDAs as part of the application process. Please avoid submitting confidential information in your application.

If you are a VC fund, accelerator, or ecosystem organization, please fill out this short form.