Buffer's Startup Program

Buffer's Startup Program helps early-stage founders get going on social media without the early-stage budget. You can start on our Free plan, or apply for 50% off any paid Buffer plan for your first year.

In this article:

1. How it works
2. Who qualifies
3. How to apply
4. What happens after you apply
5. What happens after year one
6. Good to Knows
7. FAQ

How it works

There are two ways to use Buffer through the program:

• Start free. Create a Buffer account and use our Free plan for as long as you like, no application needed.
• Apply for 50% off. If you'd like more channels and features, apply for 50% off any paid Buffer plan for your first 12 months.

You can start for free now and apply the discount later, whenever you're ready to upgrade.

Who qualifies

The program is built for early-stage startups. To be eligible, your company should meet all of the following:

• Fewer than 50 employees
• 2 years old or younger (from incorporation)
• Pre-seed, Seed, or Series A stage
• A live company website that's up and running
• A work email that matches your company domain (personal Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook addresses don't qualify)
• New to paid Buffer, your company hasn't held a paid Buffer plan before
• A product- or service-based company. Agencies, marketing consultancies, and dev shops aren't eligible for this program.

If you're not sure whether you qualify, go ahead and apply, our team reviews every application.

How to apply

1. Start a free Buffer account at buffer.com if you don't have one yet.
2. Head to the Startup Program application page.
3. Click the Apply for 50% off button to submit a short application.
4. Fill in a few details about your startup (company website, stage, team size, and what you're building).
5. Submit, and our team takes it from there.

What happens after you apply

Our team reviews each application manually, usually within 48 hours.

• If you're approved, we'll email you.
• If you're not approved, we'll let you know why. You're always welcome to use Buffer's Free plan, and you can reach out if your situation changes.

What happens after year one

The 50% discount applies to your first 12 months. After that, your plan renews at our standard pricing. We'll give you a heads-up before your discount year ends so there are no surprises.

You can change plans or move back to the Free plan at any time.

Good to Knows

FAQ

I'm bootstrapped, not VC-funded. Can I still apply?

Yes. We don't require funding of any kind, we're looking at company age, team size, and stage rather than how you're funded.

I already have a paid Buffer plan. Can I apply?

The program is for companies that haven't held a paid Buffer plan before. If your company has an active or past paid plan, it won't qualify, even under a different account.

Can I combine this with another Buffer discount?

No. The Startup Program discount can't be stacked with other offers, such as the nonprofit discount. You'll be applied whichever discount fits your situation best.

What if my application is rejected? Can I reapply later?

Yes. If your situation changes, for example your team grows into a different stage, or more time passes since incorporation, you're welcome to reach out and reapply.

Does the discount apply to every Buffer plan?

Yes, the 50% discount applies to any paid Buffer plan for your first 12 months.