AI Startup Program
Spend your funding on GPUs, not your secure networking.
Join the Tailscale AI Startups program, and secure all of your critical workloads.
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The Tailscale for Startups Program is designed for early-stage companies who are new to Tailscale and are looking to scale their networks quickly and securely. Accepted startups will enjoy a full year of our Enterprise plan at no cost.
Please review the eligibility criteria before applying. Once you’ve submitted your application, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the next steps in the process.
While we encourage all qualifying startups to apply, please note that admission to our first cohort will be selective. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to build a strong foundation for this program.
Program Benefits
Keep your infrastructure lean
Tailscale makes it easy to securely connect to all your resources across any cloud—without the hassle of excessive overhead or extra work. We understand your challenges firsthand because we’ve been in your shoes - a startup building a product with a lean team. In fact, our infrastructure team still consists of just three people. With Tailscale, you can implement the network architecture you need, no matter the size of your team.
Free Enterprise plan for a year for up to 30 free users
AI program members get access to our most advanced feature set including integrations, compliance and support for access control at scale. In addition to all the features included in our Enterprise plan, you can onboard up to 30 users to your Tailscale account at no cost.
Priority support
We know issues will come up where you may need some help or run into an issue. With priority support, requests from our AI program members are promptly triaged and moved to the front of the queue, where our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
Startup stage
This program is designed to support new startups in navigating the early stages of their journey. We welcome applications from startups at the pre-Seed, Series A, or Series B funding stages. If your company has progressed beyond Series B, you will not be eligible for this program. However, if you are bootstrapping your business, we encourage you to apply.
Have a live domain
Startups applying to the program must have an active working domain and create a new Tailscale account associated with that domain. Upon acceptance, you will automatically be enrolled in our 14-day free trial—no credit card required.
How it works
Submit your application
To apply, complete the form above after reviewing the eligibility requirements. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email from our team. We will follow up with more details within 7 business days.
Create your free Tailscale account
After submitting your application, please proceed to create your free Tailscale account using the same domain provided in your application. Choose one of the business plans and ensure your account is registered with your startup's company domain. When you create a new account, you'll automatically be enrolled for a 14-day free trial—no credit card required.
Next steps
Our team will reach out to you via email with the next steps. If you meet all the requirements, we will update your account and send a confirmation email from the startup@tailscale.com alias. If we have any questions or are unable to accept your application, we will provide additional context in an email from the same alias.
Enterprise Plan Key Features
Tailscale SSH
Use this drop-in replacement to manage & record shell access into any linux machine without needing to share or manage keys.
Kubernetes Operator
Connect multi-cloud environments together easily. Gain direct access to your control plane API without exposing anything to the public internet over an encrypted Tailscale connection.
Access Control Lists
Lock it down. Control who can access which systems, filter traffic based on protocols, and even manage device postures for added security.
End-to-end Encryption
By installing the Tailscale client, all traffic is encrypted end-to-end using the Wireguard® protocol.
Bring your own IdP
Use SSO & MFA from a wide array of supported IdPs to authenticate users onto any Tailnet.
Log Streaming
Natively stream network flow and configuration audit logs to popular SIEM providers.
Program FAQ
What are the Terms and Conditions?
Pre-selected qualifying startups get one (1) free Enterprise subscription for one year (subject to our Terms of Service) in exchange for providing logo rights, a case study with Tailscale, and participating in Research. New accounts only; existing accounts, upgrades, and purchases through resellers or similar are not eligible. Limit one offer / startup. Void where prohibited. May not be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts. At the end of the offer period, you must purchase to continue using the Tailscale Solution. We reserve the right, in our sole and absolute discretion, to extend, modify or terminate this offer at any time and for any reason with or without prior notice.
What are the eligibility requirements the Tailscale AI startup program?
Early-stage startups: This program is intended for startups at Series A or earlier. Startups that use AI as their core technology. Small but hungry with fewer than 50 employees and who have never been a Tailscale customer before.
How are applications to this program handled?
We will review all applicants and send out select invitations on a rolling basis.
What if I've applied and haven't heard back yet?
If you haven't heard back from us within 10 business days, please contact us at hello@tailscale.com.
Am I eligible if I am already a Tailscale paying customer?
Tailscale's AI Startup Program is for first-time Tailscale customers. If your organization is currently a paying customer or has been in the past, you are not eligible.
Will I be on a special plan?
You will be on our Enterprise plan - the same as any organization on the Enterprise plan who isn't a part of our AI Startup Program. You will have all the same benefits and be subject to our ToS.
Should I apply?
If you aren't sure if your company qualifies or not, please apply!