Freebies for startups and how to get them (2021)
Since I am currently bootstrapping my own startup, I am obviously trying to save as much money as possible while also trying to get as many tools that could help me grow. This led me to search through the Internet to find all the interesting tools, platforms and products that are offering special deals specifically to startups. And since most of the articles that already have tried to aggregate this information are a bit out of date, I have decided to publish my findings here.
I will not be mentioning tools that might be beneficial but are free by design, this article is about getting the paid tools for free (or at least for less) based solely on the fact that you are a startup.
In this case startup usually means you are a young and limitedly funded company.
I will try and keep this updated and will continue expanding this whenever I find any new deals. But for now, lets dive into what I have come across so far.
Mixpanel
What is it
Mixpanel is the industry standard when it comes to product analysis and engagement (product might be an app, website etc.).
Why is it useful
Once you have any users that use Internet to get your product or access your service, you will want to analyze their behaviour. Mixpanel is a comprehensive tool that allows you to implement analysis to the smallest detail (even up to a single user detail) and to make decissions based on that data. You can also go a step further and engage with your users by implementing e-mail messaging and, if you have an app, push messages.
What’s the deal and how to get it
If your startup is not older than two years and raised less than $5 mil to this date, you are eligible for $50,000 in credits that are valid for one year. All you have to do is register through their website and during the sign up process, your account will be instantly credited with that amount. You don’t have to pay a cent extra and you can start using the credits right away. It is however required to provide them with a credit card, they won’t charge it anything though.
Google Cloud Platform
What is it
Cloud computing platform by Google. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is one of the big three in cloud computing, while the others are Amazon Web Services and Microsoft’s Azure.
Why is it useful
If you are a tech startup, you most likely need somewhere to run your code or store your data. Whether it’s a website, API, database or any kind of SW that you won’t host locally, you need a cloud provider. GCP is exactly that.
What’s the deal and how to get it
This one is not that easy. If you register for the GCP, you get $300 in credits no matter what type of company you are. However if you enroll into Google Cloud’s startup programme here, you can receive $2,000 credits to spend on the platform. The eligibility for the programme depends similarily on your company’s age (here defined as not have been acquired or IPO’d), but also on having a public website, company e-mail (not a generic one), planning on working with them long-term, having GCP Billing Account ID (you can set it up by registering for the GCP here), being from a supported territory (you can find the list here) and not being an educational institution, government entity, nonprofit, personal blog, dev shop, consultancy, agency, bitcoin, or cryptomining company. If you manage to comply with all of this, you can enroll, which means filling out some basic data and then scheduling a call with a local provider, that will contact you during the next two business days to work out your specific case and to decide on your eligibility.
Segment
What is it
Data automation and analytics tool.
Why is it useful
Gather analytics about your users and integrate all your other tools to one ecosystem through Segment. Integrate Mixpanel, Google Analytics, various data warehouses (Azure, Redshift, etc.), Facebook Ads, Facebook Pixel or any other of almost 200 tools Segment supports and build one automated platform that will enable you to have data driven marketing and user engagement.
What’s the deal and how to get it
Segment gives you their team plan for two years for free (advertised value up to $25,000). All you have to do is to register on their website as a startup and the plan is automatically activated for you without charging you anything. The eligibility is the same as with Mixpanel — your business needs to be younger than two years and mustn’t have received more than $5mil in funding to this day.
This is all that I have found and tried out so far. I sincerely hope that it will be of use for you, dear reader. However if you personally know about anything else to add to this list, feel free to mention it in the comments. I’ll then try it out myself and will add it to the article (with crediting you of course).