About the Zendesk for Startups program
The Zendesk for Startups Program provides qualified startups with free access to Zendesk Suite, including AI Agents and Copilot, for up to 2 years. It’s easy to set up from day one, yet powerful enough to scale with growing teams. With AI built directly into the platform, startups can automate routine work, save time, and deliver fast, consistent support to their customers. Trusted by more than 50,000 startups, Zendesk is designed to grow with founders at every stage.

Who qualifies for the Zendesk for Startups Program?
Program requirements are as follows:

Must be a new Zendesk subscriber (previous or active paid customers may not participate)

Must have fewer than 250 employees (if 50+ employees, must be a partner-referred startup)

Raised no more than Series B in funding (bootstrapped is Ok)

Must be a tech platform or tech-enabled

Company must be under 10 years old

What’s included in the Zendesk for Startups Program?
The program offers up to 2 years free of the Zendesk Suite Professional Plan for up to 50 agents, featuring advanced tools like AI Agents, Copilot, and App Builder. Exact program terms are set to fit each founder's distinct stage and profile. (see the section below).

In addition to the software, participants gain access to our Startup Digital Hub and dedicated support to help with everything from initial setup to optimizing AI features. Finally, approval into the program unlocks exclusive partner discounts. Keep in mind that each vendor has its own redemption criteria, which may differ from Zendesk's qualification rules.

If a customer has an active Zendesk account already, can they apply for the Startup Program?
If a customer is already on a paid subscription, they no longer qualify for the startup program which is for net new customers only.

If a customer has only signed up for a 14-day trial and not a paid plan yet, they may apply through the startups application page to see if they qualify for the program.

How do I apply to participate in the Zendesk for Startups program?
To apply for the program’s benefits and access other resources, visit https://www.zendesk.com/startups/ for more information.

If you are VC backed or part of an accelerator program, your VC may have their own referral page.

What determines the eligibility for the full 2 years of no-cost access?
The Zendesk for Startups program is built to invest in founders at every stage of their growth journey. We accept startups from bootstrapped through Series B, up to 250 employees. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we partner with startups so they can leverage the specific CX products and solutions they need most at any given time.

While all accepted startups try our Zendesk Suite for six months, those with strategic VC or accelerator partner affiliations, alongside specific milestones like funding stages and team size, are eligible for extended program benefits for up to two years. Upon approval, an Account Executive will connect with you to help set up your account and confirm your program timeline.

How do customers know if they are approved for the program?
After a startup has applied through the startup application page, they will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email letting them know that their application is under review. The applicant should hear back from the Startups Team within 2 business days.

Where do startups get help while they are in the program?
Every startup is assigned a dedicated Account Executive and, depending on your track, specialized onboarding sessions. To support your growth, you also have ongoing access to Customer Success office hours, best-practice webinars, and our new Startup Digital Hub—your go-to resource for expert product content, with an exclusive community space coming soon.

What features are unavailable to startups while they are in trial?
Talk/Voice features are not included while in trial. In addition, HIPAA compliance is not available - startups must convert to a paid account in order to obtain HIPAA compliance. Rest assured, your Account Executive will work closely with you to navigate these limitations and ensure you maximize the value of the program.

How can Venture Capital firms unlock VC benefits and support for their portfolio companies?
Venture capital firms, accelerators, and other organizations supporting the startup ecosystem may reach out to partner with the Zendesk for Startups Program to explore whether the initiative is a good fit.