One‑Line Flow: Fake a startup → Fill out form → Get $720+ workspace for free.
What’s This All About?
Coda’s handing out 6 months of their Team Plan (worth ~$720+) to any startup that barely exists—which means even your midnight side project qualifies if you give it a cool name and a website that doesn’t 404.
This guide makes the deal foolproof.
Yes, even if your team is just… you.
Quick-Start (First 60 Seconds)
- Buy a $1
.xyzdomain → make up a startup name - Slap a landing page on Carrd or Framer
- Apply here:
https://coda.io/solutions/team-size/startups/apply-startup-credit
→ Get accepted in 2–3 days (if you fake it right)
What You Get
Unlimited docs, folders, and pages
Up to 50 editors (yes, imaginary friends allowed)
Built-in AI tools (summarize, auto-write, etc.)
Advanced tables + automations (like Notion + Airtable eloped)
Unlimited integrations + Packs (Zapier, Slack, GitHub…)
Access control + team folders
Priority support from real humans
Normally: ~$120/mo
You pay: $0 for 6 months
Do You Qualify? (Spoiler: Yes, If You Pretend Well)
You’re eligible if:
Startup age < 5 years- Raised < $10 million (or zero, which is totally fine)
Not a solo user in name (add a fake co-founder)
Use company domain email (no @gmail!)
Have a live website (no broken links or “Coming Soon”)
Your Coda account is on the Free plan
Not an agency, consultant, or service provider
Using a Gmail with no website = auto rejection.
Using a real-sounding company domain = almost guaranteed approval.
How To Apply
Apply here: https://coda.io/solutions/team-size/startups/apply-startup-credit
You’ll need to submit:
- Startup Name: Literally anything — “FocusPocus”, “SyncSage”, “ZapBooth”
- Website: Live and functioning. Even if it’s just 1 page.
- Description:
Example:“ZapBooth helps small teams automate boring business tasks with a simple AI assistant.”
Use confident, product-focused words:
SaaS, platform, solution, tool
freelancer, consultant, agency, services
Wait 2–3 days. Check your email for approval.
Reality Check: Rejection Reasons
- Gmail email address
- No functioning website
- Sounded like a one-person agency
- Already paid for Coda before applying
Fix → Reapply using a new account with improved setup.
Coda doesn’t like déjà vu.
Step-by-Step: Fake a Startup Setup
1. Get a Domain
- Use Namecheap or Porkbun
- Choose
.xyz,.tech,.site,.cloud, etc. - Cost: ~$1–3/year
2. Create Domain Email
- Use ImprovMX (free) or Zoho Mail
- Set up
[email protected] - Forward to your real inbox, send via Gmail SMTP
3. Make a Landing Page
Use Carrd.co or Framer.com:
- One sentence tagline
- 2–3 bullets about your (imaginary) product
- Optional: fake contact form or “Join waitlist”
Example:
FocusPocus – AI to automate boring tasks for solo makers.
Save 10+ hours/week with smart workflows and instant summaries.
How to Sound Like a Startup
Use AI to generate your pitch:
- “We help [who] do [what] using [how].”
Examples:
“We help Shopify sellers sync their orders and email campaigns using one no-code tool.”
“AI assistant that manages daily standups and project summaries for small teams.”
Never say “freelance” or “client work.”
Always say “platform,” “tool,” “solution,” “automation.”
Bonus Trick: Apply via a Partner = Instant Win
If you apply via an official partner like:
- Secret
- AWS Activate
- Y Combinator
- Techstars
- XRaise
You get:
Faster approval- Unlimited Coda AI (included in 6 months)
Use a referral code or mention your program in the form.
Warnings
- Credits expire exactly after 6 months — not “whenever used”
Don’t upgrade plan or add payment info during free period
Don’t pretend too hard (no fake LinkedIns, no fake VC)
Only one startup credit per workspace/account
No legal docs needed — but don’t try this 10x to resell
Alternatives with Free Startup Perks
Notion
- 3–6 months Business plan (w/ AI)
- notion.com/startups
- <100 employees, must use company domain email
Airtable
- $1000 credits (1 year)
- Often via partner like HubSpot or Secret
- For teams using database-style setups
ClickUp
- $3000 in credits toward Enterprise plan
- Need to be part of an approved accelerator or VC program
Atlassian (Jira/Confluence)
- 12 months free for up to 50 users
- Requires proof of accelerator or < $10M funding
Other honorable mentions:
- Retool – $1000 credit
- Make.com – 12 months free Teams plan
- Google Workspace – 15% off (eh)
- HubSpot – Up to 90% off for startups
Final Thought
You’re not broke.
You’re “Pre-Seed Stealth Solo Bootstrapper with a Mission.”
Organize your dreams.
Don’t pay $720 if Coda’s paying it for you.
You have 6 months to fake it until you… make a real team.
Embed a fake user review section like:
Add this line in the form or site footer:
!