NVIDIA Inception Program - Up to $100K+ Credits
Source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/startups
Description
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+ 1 NVIDIA Inception is a free virtual accelerator program for AI startups, with no equity, fees, or cohort deadlines. It provides access to up to $100,000 in AWS cloud credits (via AWS Activate), up to $150,000 in Nebius cloud credits, 30% off DGX Cloud, $10,000 in Deep Learning Institute training credits, preferred pricing on NVIDIA GPUs (up to 30% off), and VC introductions via Inception Capital Connect. Over 19,000 startups have been accepted globally, including notable alumni like OpenAI and Hugging Face.
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+ 7 1. Go to nvidia.com/en-us/startups
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+ 8 2. Click "Join Inception" or "Apply Now"
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+ 9 3. Fill out the application form (~30 minutes). You will need:
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+ 10 • Company name, website URL, and incorporation date
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+ 11 • Description of your AI/ML product or solution
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+ 12 • Funding stage and team size
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+ 13 • Key competitors and company mission
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+ 14 4. Upload a pitch deck (PDF) covering your mission, product, team, and traction. NVIDIA uses this to determine how to best support your startup
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+ 15 5. Submit the application — it must be in English
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+ 16 6. Wait for NVIDIA to review your application (no publicly stated timeline, but most legitimate AI startups are accepted; allow approximately 2 weeks)
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+ 17 7. Once approved, access your personalized Inception portal to request benefits like cloud credits and DLI training codes
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+ 18
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+ 19 Important:
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+ 20 • No application fees, membership fees, or equity requirements
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+ 21 • Rolling admissions — no deadlines or cohort structure
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+ 22 • You must update your profile every 6 months to remain eligible for benefits
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+ 23 • Contact: inceptionprogram@nvidia.com (for China: inception_cn@nvidia.com)
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+ 29 The following types of organizations are not eligible for NVIDIA Inception:
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+ 30
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+ 31 • Cryptocurrency-focused companies (explicitly excluded since April 2025)
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+ 32 • Consulting and outsourced development firms
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+ 33 • Cloud service providers
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+ 34 • Resellers and distributors
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+ 35 • Public companies
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+ 36 • Companies older than 10 years
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+ 42 Once accepted into Inception, you can request cloud credits through the benefits request tab in your Inception portal. Credits are provided through partner programs, not directly by NVIDIA.
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+ 43
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+ 44 PartnerCredit AmountNotes
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+ 45 AWS ActivateUp to $100,000Access NVIDIA GPUs on Amazon EC2. Must use same email for Inception and AWS accounts. Some startups report inconsistent approval
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+ 46 Nebius AI LiftUp to $150,000Announced at GTC 2025. Includes $10K inference credits, early access to Blackwell GPUs. First 3 months of membership get extra perks
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+ 47 FluidStackUp to $100,000CPU credits for training and serving frontier models
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+ 48 ScalewayVariesEU-focused cloud. Benefits for new Scaleway Startup Program members only
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+ 49 Microsoft AzureUp to $150,000 (tiered)Via Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. Credits granted in tiers ($1K, $5K, $25K, etc.) as usage grows. Higher tiers require demo video, proof of funding, and 50%+ credit utilization
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+ 51 Caveat: AWS credits are the most commonly advertised benefit, but many startups report difficulties obtaining the full $100K. AWS may reject applications even after NVIDIA Inception approval. The $100K tier may informally require $250K+ in institutional funding, though this is inconsistently applied.
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+ 57 Inception members get 30% off the standard price of NVIDIA DGX Cloud.
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+ 58
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+ 59 • Minimum commitment: 4 nodes for 1 month
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+ 60 • Minimum spend: $75,000
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+ 61 • DGX Cloud is available through AWS, GCP, Azure, FluidStack, and other GPU cloud providers
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+ 62 • This benefit is primarily relevant for later-stage startups with significant compute budgets
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+ 63
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+ 66 Select Inception members can apply to the DGX Cloud Innovation Lab, an exclusive 60-day accelerator offering:
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+ 67 • Hands-on access to NVIDIA DGX Cloud GPUs
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+ 68 • Integrated AI software and expert support
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+ 69 • Self-serve developer platform for rapid prototyping
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+ 75 Inception members receive $10,000 in free DLI credits plus discounts on expert-led workshops.
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+ 76
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+ 77 BenefitDetails
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+ 78 Free self-paced coursesRedeemable codes provided via Inception portal
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+ 79 Course topicsAI/deep learning, data science, accelerated computing, robotics, graphics
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+ 80 Course formats2-hour technique courses, 8-hour project-based courses with certificate
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+ 81 Instructor-led workshopsAvailable at discounted pricing
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+ 82 CertificationsComplete assessments to earn NVIDIA DLI certificates
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+ 83 GPU lab accessCloud-based GPU-accelerated servers included with courses
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+ 84
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+ 85 Credits can be redeemed for self-paced courses, public/private workshops, Academy memberships, and certification exams.
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+ 91 Inception members get preferred pricing (up to 30% off) on select NVIDIA enterprise-grade GPUs.
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+ 93 • Available GPUs include: DGX systems, A30, A40, A100 (Ampere), H100 (Hopper), RTX A6000
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+ 94 • NVIDIA does not sell directly to Inception members — the discount functions as a rebate deducted from the standard price that any authorized resale partner provides
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+ 95 • Some members get early access to new hardware releases
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+ 96 • You must work with NVIDIA's authorized resale partners to purchase
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+ 102 Inception Capital Connect links eligible startups with NVIDIA's VC Alliance — a network of venture firms, private equity, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds.
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+ 103
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+ 104 • How it works: VCs browse a portal of Inception startups actively raising funds. With a single click, both parties are directly connected to discuss investment
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+ 105 • Founding VC members: NEA, Acrew, Mayfield, Madrona Venture Group, In-Q-Tel, Pitango, Vanedge Capital, OurCrowd
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+ 106 • European VCs: Accel, Elaia, Partech, Sofinnova Partners (eligible startups can receive up to $100K in GPU capacity credits)
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+ 107 • Events: Curated networking events bringing together startups, top VCs, and NVIDIA executives
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+ 108 • Eligibility-based: Not all members automatically get VC introductions. NVIDIA uses funding stage and startup maturity to determine fit
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+ 114 TierRequirementsExtra Benefits
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+ 115 CommunityDefault tier on acceptanceAll standard benefits: cloud credits, DLI training, GPU discounts, co-marketing
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+ 116 PremierClosed at least Series A funding + product in production + uses NVIDIA technology + passes reviewDedicated NVIDIA relationship manager, increased marketing support, Premier-only events, architectural guidance
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+ 122 • Official NVIDIA Inception program badges for your website and materials
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+ 123 • Co-branded social content and customizable assets for events
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+ 124 • Featured in NVIDIA marketing campaigns, newsletters, and case studies
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+ 125 • Access to NVIDIA's global networks and go-to-market opportunities
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+ 126 • Monthly newsletter with product updates and members-only offers
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+ 132 • Application difficulty is low — the program has a relatively inclusive acceptance process compared to selective accelerators. If your startup genuinely uses AI/ML, you will likely be accepted
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+ 133 • Highlight AI/ML centrality in your pitch deck — NVIDIA wants to see that AI is core to your product, not a peripheral feature
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+ 134 • AWS credits are not guaranteed — apply early and use the same email across NVIDIA Inception and your AWS account. If rejected, try again or escalate through the NVIDIA Developer Forums
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+ 135 • Profile updates are mandatory — if you don't update your Inception profile every 6 months, you lose access to benefits
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+ 136 • No term limits — once accepted, you remain a member indefinitely (as long as you maintain eligibility and update your profile)
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+ 137 • Revenue not required — pre-revenue startups at any funding stage are welcome
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+ 138 • DGX Cloud discount is expensive — the $75K minimum spend makes it impractical for early-stage startups. Look into the DGX Cloud Innovation Lab instead
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+ 139 • Stack cloud credits — you can potentially combine AWS Activate, Nebius AI Lift, FluidStack, Scaleway, and Azure credits from multiple partner programs
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+ 140 • NVIDIA Connect (for ISVs) — if you are an independent software vendor rather than a startup, check NVIDIA Connect instead
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+ 143
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+ 144 Sources:
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+ 145 • NVIDIA Inception Program
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+ 146 • NVIDIA Inception Guide (ThunderCompute)
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+ 147 • AWS & NVIDIA Startup Collaboration
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+ 148 • NVIDIA Inception VC Alliance
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+ 149 • Nebius AI Lift for Inception Members
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+ 150 • FluidStack x NVIDIA Inception
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+ 151 • Scaleway Startup Program for Inception
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+ 152 • NVIDIA DGX Cloud Innovation Lab
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+ 153 • NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute
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+ 154 • NVIDIA Inception Application
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+ 155 • Crypto Exclusion (CoinTelegraph)
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+ 156 • Cirrascale — NVIDIA Inception Overview
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