Many large technology companies have partnership programmes for startups. The logic behind it is to get the startups using their products for free and once the teams grow, they will have paying clients. Sounds great! Accelerators that do not invest in startups find these programs are especially useful. Here way they can build up a toolbox to help teams save money. Here you can find 5 partnership programs available for incubators/accelerators. The perks can be a nice addition to the mentors and other elements in the program. Some partnership programs are directed to startups and others to accelerator/incubator programs. We have listed a few here with links to the sites:
1. Stripe Partner Program
Millions of businesses of all sizes—from startups to large enterprises—use Stripe’s software and APIs to accept payments, send payouts, and manage their businesses online. Examples of startups this can be useful to include subscription services, on-demand marketplaces, or e-commerce stores. Stripe provides a certain amount of free services. See more here: https://stripe.com/en-ee/partner-program
2. Google for Startups Partner Network
Google is providing resources, mentors, technical labs, product expertise, and programming to help grow the world’s startup ecosystems through the world’s best startup- focused institutions. Members of the network get access to various amounts of Cloud product credits depending on the size of the startup as well as usage. See more here: https://developers.google.com/community/accelerators/partners
3. Amazon AWS
Amazon Web Services provides startups with the low-cost, easy-to-use infrastructure needed to scale and grow. AWS Activate works with hundreds of accelerators, angel investors, and venture capital firms across the world to provide startups with free AWS credits, technical support, training, resources, and more. Startups associated with an AWS Activate Provider are able to apply for AWS Activate Portfolio using their Activate Provider’s organisation ID. See more at https://aws.amazon.com/activate/portfolio-detail/
4. Sendgrid Accelerate Program
SendGrid, a leading digital communication platform and an accelerator alumni themselves, enables businesses to engage with their customers via email reliably, effectively and at scale. Their cloud-based platform provides developers and marketers with the tools to seamlessly reach their customers using email. Target, engage, and convert new customers with 12 months of SendGrid Pro, a dedicated IP, and up to 100,000 contacts for first time customers. See more here: https://sendgrid.com/accelerate-partner/
5. Hubspot for Startups Partner Program
HubSpot helps you generate leads, close deals, manage your pipeline, and delight your customers. The services include products for CRM, CMS, marketing, sales, and customer service: powerful alone, and even better when used together. The program includes startup-friendly prices for HubSpot’s Growth Suite software as well as many more benefits. See more here; https://www.hubspot.com/startups/partners
The list of partnership programs available for incubators/accelerators above is not final, there are other tech companies, like IBM, Zendesk, as well as local law firms or patent offices that can be partners. Always start by identifying the needs of the startups you are working with and go from there. Sometimes the tech companies do not have a startup program, but some are open to work out a deal anyway.
