"""

How has the program expanded?

Anthropic said it has widened access to the Claude Startups program, which it launched in May. According to the company, thousands of businesses have already joined. In the new phase, members can receive support worth thousands of dollars, including Claude products and usage credits, to help speed up product development.

Beth Robertson, Anthropic’s head of startups, said early-stage companies test new models very quickly and are among the first groups to push Claude to its limits. For that reason, the company is offering founders not only credits, but also tools and direct access to its team.

Why does this matter for revenue and competition?

A large share of Anthropic’s revenue comes from business customers. The company is therefore working to strengthen its position in the startup ecosystem as it competes with OpenAI and Google, both of which have their own startup programs. The move also fits into a broader strategy of building the companies of the future on its own products at a time when market speculation about a potential IPO is running high.

What support is being offered?

  • Up to $45,000 in discounts and credits under the Claude Startup Stack.
  • A one-time $1,000 API credit for qualifying companies.
  • One year of free Claude Team access for up to five premium seats.

Anthropic also said members will be able to speak with the company’s applied AI team through virtual office hours. Startups in the program will also be able to connect with other Claude Startups members at community events.

Who can apply?

Eligibility will be open to startups founded within the last five years or that have raised funding within the last two years. That framework aligns with Anthropic’s goal of drawing fast-growing early-stage companies into its ecosystem from the outset.

"""