Modal for Startups is the credit programme from Modal, the serverless cloud for running AI inference, training, batch jobs and sandboxes on GPUs and CPUs. Accepted startups get a one-time grant of compute credits, direct access to Modal’s engineers and help with launches and fundraises. We checked Modal’s official pages on 1 November 2026. Modal no longer lists fixed amounts per tier, so the grant you receive is decided case by case.
What you get
- Compute credits. A one-time grant you can spend on any Modal compute resource, including in-demand GPU types. Modal describes the amount only as “thousands” of free GPU credits.
- Technical support. Direct access to Modal’s engineering team.
- Go-to-market help. Modal offers amplification around product launches and funding announcements.
- Founder community. Invitations to online and in-person events for founders building on Modal.
How the amount is decided
Modal sets the grant size based on three things: your traction, how much funding you have raised, and whether you are backed by one of its official VC or accelerator partners. Being in the partner network makes a difference, especially for later-stage companies, where it is a hard requirement.
What the credits do not cover
Credits pay for compute only. They cannot be used for Modal’s Team or Enterprise subscription fees, so if you need a paid plan for seats or features, that cost is separate.
Expiry
Credits last one year. If they expire unused, Modal will not reinstate them. Your balance and expiry date are shown on your billing page.
Who qualifies
All applicants must be new to Modal. Beyond that, there are two tiers:
| Tier | You qualify if | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Seed to Series A | You raised any VC funding from a Modal partner fund, or raised more than $1M from any fund | Free credits, amount set by Modal |
| Scaling and Series B+ | You raised more than $30M or are past Series B, and your VC is a Modal partner | Custom grant for fast-growing AI-native companies |
Modal says it partners with more than 40 venture firms and accelerators. The published list includes Y Combinator, a16z, Sequoia, Accel, Lightspeed, General Catalyst, Khosla, Thrive Capital, Neo, HF0, Pear VC, AI Grant, South Park Commons and many others. The full list is in the FAQ on the Modal for Startups page.
Bootstrapped companies, or companies that raised less than $1M from non-partner funds, do not meet either tier as written.
How to apply
- Open the Modal for Startups page and choose Apply Now.
- Fill in the application with your funding details and investors.
- Add a payment method to your Modal account. Modal requires one so your apps keep running after the credits end.
- If you have not heard back within 2 weeks, email [email protected].
Things to check before you apply
- New customers only. If your team already has a Modal account with usage, ask Modal whether you still count as new before applying.
- One grant per tier. Credits are one-time. You cannot reapply in the same tier after receiving them.
- One year, no extensions. Unused credits are lost at expiry. Apply when you have GPU workloads ready, not months ahead.
- Card on file means real billing. Once the grant is spent, usage is charged to your card automatically. Keep an eye on the billing page if your workloads can spike.
- Subscription fees are separate. Credits will not pay for a Team or Enterprise plan.
If you do not qualify
Every Modal account on the free Starter plan gets $30 per month in compute credits, with 3 workspace seats, up to 100 containers and 10 concurrent GPUs. For prototyping or light inference, that monthly allowance may be enough until you raise. Researchers and graduate students should look at Modal for Academics instead, which offers up to $10k in compute credits.
How it compares
Modal’s programme is built around its VC network. Partner-backed seed companies have the easiest path, while unfunded teams are left with the Starter plan’s monthly allowance. The lack of published amounts makes planning harder than with programmes that state a fixed figure, so ask Modal to confirm your grant before you move production workloads over.
