Capture The Bug Startup Program
SaaS Startup Programs
$1,000 in credits
Get $1,000 in penetration testing credits for early-stage teams building digital products with manual, real-time security testing
Who qualifies
Every condition below is taken from the vendor’s own published criteria. Read them before you spend an afternoon on the application.
Raised under $15M
Total funding must be below $15M at the time you apply. Vendors verify this against public funding records, so an unannounced round usually still counts.
Under 5 years old
The company must be less than 5 years old, measured from incorporation rather than launch. Predecessor entities and reincorporations are usually counted from the original date.
Startups
The programme is aimed at startups. Vendors read this loosely, but expect to describe the company and what you are building on the application.
Get $1,000 in penetration testing credits for early-stage teams building digital products with manual, real-time security testing
About Capture The Bug Startup Program
Quick answer
Get $1,000 in penetration testing credits for early-stage teams building digital products with manual, real-time security testing
Capture The Bug is a penetration testing platform specializing in manual, real-time security assessments for early-stage teams. The startup program grants $1,000 in pentest credits to pre-seed through Series A companies, enabling founders to validate security posture and generate compliance artifacts before enterprise customer conversations or funding rounds.
Capture The Bug Startup Program at a glance
Capture The Bug is a penetration testing platform specializing in manual, real-time security assessments for early-stage teams. The startup program grants $1,000 in pentest credits to pre-seed through Series A companies, enabling founders to validate security posture and generate compliance artifacts before enterprise customer conversations or funding rounds.
- $1,000Penetration Testing Credits
- Pre-seed to Series ATarget Stage
- Manual + Real-timeTesting Methodology
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAACompliance Reports Included
The Capture The Bug Startup Program offer explained
Capture The Bug awards $1,000 in credits toward manual penetration testing services—real human security testers, not automated tools. Credits apply to full pentest engagements, retesting cycles, and compliance-ready reporting. Startups use credits to stress-test their product security before enterprise pitches or security audits.
Heads up: credit programs change their terms and caps regularly — confirm the current offer on the application page before you plan around it.
Apply to Capture The Bug Startup ProgramHow Capture The Bug Startup Program compares
Here's how Capture The Bug Startup Program stacks up against other discounted SaaS access in the same category:
| Program | Headline offer | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Capture The Bug Startup Program | $1,000 in credits | This page |
| GitHub for Startups | $50K total value: $10K GitHub credits + up to $40K non-dilutive cash (direct apply, under 5 years) | SaaS Startup Programs |
| Sentry for Startups | 6 months free Sentry Teams (~$5K value) — under 2 years old, under $5M raised, direct apply | SaaS Startup Programs |
| Retool for Startups | 1 year free Retool (up to $60K value) + 25% off year 2 — under $10M raised, Series A or earlier | SaaS Startup Programs |
Who should apply — and who shouldn't
Apply if
- You're pre-Series B and need credible security validation for enterprise customer conversations.
- Your product handles sensitive data (PII, payments, health info) and you need compliance-ready reporting.
- You want human-driven security testing, not just automated vulnerability scanning.
- You're fundraising or closing enterprise deals and security posture is a blocker.
Skip if
- Your product is pre-MVP or internal-only; pentest ROI is higher once you have paying customers.
- You're bootstrapped and have zero budget for security—credits don't cover the full cost of enterprise-grade pentesting.
- You only need automated vulnerability scanning; Capture The Bug specializes in manual, real-time testing (higher cost, deeper findings).
More SaaS Startup Programs
If Capture The Bug Startup Program isn't the right fit, compare it against GitHub for Startups, Sentry for Startups, Retool for Startups, Algolia for Startups — or browse the full SaaS Startup Programs category.
What the credit covers
- Manual penetration testing by certified security professionals
- Real-time, context-aware vulnerability discovery
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA compliance reporting
- Retesting support to validate fixes
- Fast turnaround optimized for startups
- No VC sponsor or accelerator requirement
- $1,000 startup credit (non-expiring within 12 months)
- Detailed remediation guidance and prioritization
- Executive summary and technical findings report
- Ongoing support and consultation during engagement
Programme tracks
What Capture The Bug Startup Program publishes for each stage — confirm on the application, since credit programmes are re-cut more often than list pricing.
| Track | Value | Who it is for | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Program Credit | $1,000 | One-time credit (12-month validity) | Manual penetration testing · Compliance-ready reporting (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) · Retesting support · Fast turnaround · Executive + technical reports |
| Standard Pentest (Post-Credit) | Custom pricing | Per engagement | Full manual pentest · Custom scope and timeline · Compliance reporting add-ons · Retesting cycles · Ongoing consultation |
How to apply
4 steps. The last one is the part most people skip.
- 1
Open Capture The Bug Startup Program through the link on this page
It carries our referral tag. The terms you get are identical either way, and it never changes what this page says about the programme.
- 2
Have the eligibility evidence ready
Applications are checked against 3 conditions — raised under $15m, under 5 years old, startups. Incorporation date, cap table and a one-line description of what you are building cover most of it.
- 3
Size the migration against the 12 months window
Credits start burning from activation, not from when you get round to using them. Work out what you will genuinely consume in that window before you move production workloads across.
- 4
Know the rate you land on when it runs out
Get $1,000 in penetration testing credits for early-stage teams building digital products with manual, real-time security testing
Where this programme wins and loses
What works
- Compliance-Ready Reports Pentests include SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA-aligned reporting—artifacts that accelerate enterprise sales cycles.
- Manual, Real-Time Testing Human security testers find logic flaws, business logic bypasses, and context-aware vulnerabilities that automated scanners miss.
- Retesting Support Included Credits cover retesting after fixes, ensuring findings are resolved and compliance posture is validated.
- Fast Turnaround for Startups Capture The Bug prioritizes startup engagements; typical pentest delivery is faster than enterprise-focused competitors.
- No Sponsor or VC Requirement Direct application; no need for an accelerator, VC, or third-party endorsement to qualify.
- Significant Starter Value $1,000 covers a meaningful portion of a baseline pentest or full engagement for smaller products.
What doesn't
- Credit Expiry Window Credits typically expire within 12 months; startups must commit to scheduling and executing a pentest within that timeframe or lose value.
- Limited to Capture The Bug Credits are non-transferable and only apply to Capture The Bug services; you cannot redirect them to other security vendors.
- May Not Cover Full Enterprise Pentest $1,000 is a strong starter credit but may not fully cover a comprehensive pentest for larger or more complex products; out-of-pocket costs possible.
The bottom line
The $1,000 credit removes friction for early-stage founders to validate security posture and generate compliance artifacts—both critical for enterprise sales and fundraising. Eligibility is broad (pre-seed to Series A), no sponsor required, and the manual testing methodology delivers findings automated tools miss.
Capture The Bug Startup Program FAQ
The questions we actually get asked about this programme.
Ask us something elsePre-seed, Seed, and Series A startups building digital products (SaaS, web, mobile, APIs). No VC sponsor or accelerator affiliation required; direct application.
Credits are typically valid for 12 months from activation. Confirm the exact expiry window with Capture The Bug at signup.
No. Capture The Bug's startup program accepts direct applications; no third-party endorsement is required.
Once credits are exhausted, any additional pentest services are billed at standard rates. You can purchase additional credits or services as needed.
Typically no; credits are standalone. Confirm with Capture The Bug whether stacking with other promotions is allowed.
Most applications are approved within 3–5 business days. You'll receive a credit code or account activation upon approval.
