MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program
SaaS Startup Programs
$3,650 in credits
Provides early-stage companies with affordable access to MATLAB, Simulink, and specialized toolboxes, enabling rapid prototyping and production development with
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 $50M
Total funding must be below $50M 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.
Provides early-stage companies with affordable access to MATLAB, Simulink, and specialized toolboxes, enabling rapid prototyping and production development with technical support and training benefits.
About MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program
Quick answer
Provides early-stage companies with affordable access to MATLAB, Simulink, and specialized toolboxes, enabling rapid prototyping and production development with
MathWorks is the maker of MATLAB and Simulink, industry-standard tools for numerical computing, simulation, and model-based design used across automotive, aerospace, finance, and robotics. The Startup Program provides early-stage companies with discounted or free access to the full MATLAB Suite (40+ add-ons) or MATLAB & Simulink Suite (90+ add-ons), bundled with technical support, training credits, and co-marketing opportunities to accelerate product development.
MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program at a glance
MathWorks is the maker of MATLAB and Simulink, industry-standard tools for numerical computing, simulation, and model-based design used across automotive, aerospace, finance, and robotics. The Startup Program provides early-stage companies with discounted or free access to the full MATLAB Suite (40+ add-ons) or MATLAB & Simulink Suite (90+ add-ons), bundled with technical support, training credits, and co-marketing opportunities to accelerate product development.
- $3,650Max credit value
- 12 monthsFree licensing period (accelerator-backed)
- 10 usersConcurrent seats (free tier)
- 500+Partner accelerators globally
The MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program offer explained
The program grants early-stage startups $3,650 in MATLAB/Simulink credits applied toward annual or perpetual licenses. Accelerator-affiliated startups receive 12 months of free licensing for up to 10 concurrent users; independent startups receive credits that reduce the first-year cost. Credits cover the full product suite—no tier restrictions—and are non-transferable. Renewal after the free or discounted period requires standard commercial pricing unless the startup reapplies and remains eligible.
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 MATLAB and Simulink for Startups ProgramHow MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program compares
Here's how MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program stacks up against other discounted SaaS access in the same category:
| Program | Headline offer | Category |
|---|---|---|
| MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program | $3,650 in credits | This page |
| TikTok Ads Manager Welcome Gift | $6,000 in credits | SaaS Startup Programs |
| Typeform Startup Program | Up to 75% off | SaaS Startup Programs |
| Vanta for Startups | $1,000 in credits | SaaS Startup Programs |
Who should apply — and who shouldn't
Apply if
- Your product relies on numerical simulation, control systems, signal processing, or model-based design (robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, fintech modeling).
- You're backed by a partner accelerator and can lock in 12 months free for your core engineering team.
- You need production-grade toolboxes (90+ add-ons) and can't replicate the functionality with open-source alternatives in your timeline.
- Your team already knows MATLAB/Simulink and switching to open-source (Python/SciPy, Octave) would slow development.
Skip if
- Your startup is a web/mobile app, SaaS platform, or consumer product with no simulation or numerical computing requirement—you'll pay for unused features.
- You're comfortable with open-source alternatives (Python, Julia, Octave, OpenModelica) and want to avoid vendor lock-in and future licensing costs.
- You're post-Series B or have significant revenue; commercial pricing applies and the $3,650 credit becomes negligible relative to your budget.
More SaaS Startup Programs
If MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program isn't the right fit, compare it against TikTok Ads Manager Welcome Gift, Typeform Startup Program, Vanta for Startups, Webflow for Startups Program — or browse the full SaaS Startup Programs category.
What the credit covers
- MATLAB core + 40–90 add-on toolboxes
- Simulink for model-based design and simulation
- Free online training suite and documentation
- Technical mentorship from MathWorks engineers
- 50% discount on instructor-led training
- Up to 10 concurrent user seats
- Co-marketing and case-study opportunities
- Production-ready licensing (not trial/evaluation)
- Priority support for startup tier
- Flexible renewal and reapplication pathway
Programme tracks
What MATLAB and Simulink for Startups 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerator-Backed Startups | $0 | 12 months free | Full MATLAB Suite (40+ add-ons) or MATLAB & Simulink Suite (90+ add-ons) · Up to 10 concurrent users · Free online training · Technical mentorship · 50% off instructor-led training · Co-marketing opportunities |
| Independent Startups | $3,650 credit | Applied to year-one licensing | Full MATLAB Suite (40+ add-ons) or MATLAB & Simulink Suite (90+ add-ons) · Up to 10 concurrent users · Free online training · Technical mentorship · 50% off instructor-led training · Co-marketing opportunities |
| Post-Startup (Commercial) | $2,000–$5,000+ per seat/year | Annual or perpetual license | Full product suite (toolbox selection varies by license tier) · Standard support · Flexible seat licensing · No startup program benefits |
How to apply
4 steps. The last one is the part most people skip.
- 1
Open MATLAB and Simulink for Startups 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 $50m, 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
Provides early-stage companies with affordable access to MATLAB, Simulink, and specialized toolboxes, enabling rapid prototyping and production development with technical support and training benefits.
Where this programme wins and loses
What works
- Accelerator tier is genuinely free 12 months of full licensing for up to 10 users with no credit card required—rare in enterprise software.
- 90+ toolboxes included No upsell on add-ons; you get the full suite (Simulink, Control Systems, Signal Processing, Optimization, etc.) from day one.
- Technical mentorship bundled Access to MathWorks application engineers for architecture advice and debugging—valuable for teams new to MATLAB.
- Training credits and resources 50% off instructor-led training plus free online courses; reduces onboarding time for new team members.
- Co-marketing opportunities MathWorks may feature your startup in case studies or webinars, providing credibility and visibility.
- No seat minimums or overage fees Scale from 1 to 10 users without renegotiating; straightforward licensing model.
What doesn't
- Renewal cost is steep After free/discounted period, MATLAB annual licenses cost $2,000–$5,000+ per seat depending on toolbox bundle—a significant jump for growing teams.
- Accelerator dependency Best terms require accelerator backing; independent startups get credits but less clarity on approval criteria and renewal eligibility.
- Vendor lock-in risk MATLAB code and models are proprietary; migrating to open-source later is costly. Limited portability if you want to switch tools or open-source your codebase.
The bottom line
For engineering-focused startups, especially those in accelerators, this program delivers genuine value: 12 months free or $3,650 off is material in early stages, and the bundled training + mentorship accelerates technical hiring and product validation. The main risk is renewal cost shock after year one, but that's a future problem worth solving if MATLAB is core to your product.
MATLAB and Simulink for Startups Program FAQ
The questions we actually get asked about this programme.
Ask us something elseEarly-stage startups (typically pre-Series B, founded within 5 years). Accelerator-backed startups get priority and better terms. Independent startups can apply but face stricter criteria and longer approval times.
Accelerator-backed startups receive 12 months of free licensing; independent startups receive $3,650 in credits applied to year-one costs. Both are non-renewable unless you reapply and remain eligible.
No, but it helps significantly. Accelerator backing guarantees 12 months free; independent startups can apply directly but should have a clear product roadmap and traction evidence.
You transition to standard commercial pricing. Annual licenses typically cost $2,000–$5,000+ per seat depending on toolbox bundle. You can reapply for the startup program if you remain eligible.
Unclear from public docs. Contact MathWorks directly; typically, you cannot stack startup credits with other discounts, but academic or research partnerships may have separate tracks.
Accelerator-backed: 1–3 days (automatic upon accelerator confirmation). Independent: 5–10 business days pending review of your application and use case.
