How to Claim $10,000 in Cloudflare Startup Credits: Steps and Caveats

The original author is Maran (@TheMaran, verified X account), who published this walkthrough on October 9, 2026 about claiming Cloudflare startup credits.

Image source: @TheMaran via X

The core claim is simple: a startup can apply to the Cloudflare startup program with one domain (about $10) and a free email, and approved credits last 12 months. The steps and conditions below reproduce only what the original post states; Cloudflare's official review criteria may differ.

Claim steps: exactly as the original lists them

• Go to the Cloudflare startups page (https://www.cloudflare.com/startups/).
• Apply with a domain email, not Gmail.
• Say what the company actually builds. Reviewers need a live site they can open.
• Add a card to the Cloudflare account. Per the original, overages bill separately and are not covered by credits.
• Teams with no VC backing fall under Tier 3, which the original describes as the $10,000 tier.

In thread replies the author only said "good luck getting in" to one applicant and "may be, just apply / fingers crossed" to an unfunded MVP builder, without stating approval odds or review timelines.

Tier conditions: $10K vs $100K vs $350K

The original divides the tiers by funding raised and whether the backer is a Cloudflare partner VC or accelerator.

• $10K: bootstrapped or under $1M raised, with no partner needed.
• $100K: only if under $5M raised and funded by a Cloudflare partner VC or accelerator.
• $350K: only if $5M or more raised and backed by that same partner list.
• Per the original, money from investors outside their partner list still lands you on $10K.
• Credits expire after 12 months.

This breakdown is the original author's summary. Always confirm the current tier names, amounts, and partner list on Cloudflare's official startups page.

Caveats before applying

• A domain email is required; the original advises against personal email.
• A live site reviewers can actually open is required; a description alone is not enough, per the original.
• A card must be registered, and usage beyond the credit range bills separately, which the original emphasizes.
• Do not expect a higher tier without the matching funding scale and partner backing; that is the point of the original's breakdown.
• Review time and approval odds are not in the original. The thread contains only applicant reports of waiting, with no verified information on official response times.

Original source

• Maran (@TheMaran) original post: how to claim $10,000 cloudflare credits for $0
• Cloudflare startups official page: https://www.cloudflare.com/startups/