A founder's guide to the Gorgias startup program in 2026

As a startup founder, you’re probably an expert at spinning plates. You're trying to build an incredible product, find customers, and keep the lights on, all at the same time. A huge part of that is giving your first customers a great support experience, and using professional tools is key to building that trust from day one.

That’s where offers like the Gorgias startup program come in, providing a valuable boost to help you implement a world-class support system while your budget is still growing.

A discount for a few months is a fantastic way to begin your journey. In this guide, we’ll get into the details of what the Gorgias startup program gives you. We’re also going to look at how you can build a support system that’s efficient, scalable, and perfectly optimized for your startup’s unique needs in 2026.

What is Gorgias?

At its core, Gorgias is a customer service helpdesk designed specifically for e-commerce businesses. It is a powerful platform that pulls all your customer conversations - from email, live chat, social media DMs, and texts - into one single, professional dashboard. It simplifies your workflow so you can focus on building relationships.

Its biggest selling point is how tightly it connects with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce. This means your support team can see a customer's entire order history and shipping information right next to their support ticket. It’s a sophisticated system that gives your team the context they need to solve problems quickly and accurately.

What is the Gorgias startup program?

The Gorgias startup program is an initiative designed to help early-stage companies access their robust platform. It is a significant temporary boost to help you get started with high-tier features without the initial full investment.

What you get with the Gorgias startup program: Breaking down the discount

The deal itself is clear and beneficial: you get your second and third months of any paid plan for free.

Here is how it works: You pay for your first month to get the system set up, and then Gorgias covers the cost for the following two months. After that, you transition to the standard rate for the plan you've selected. You can typically find this offer through professional partners, like venture capital firms, accelerators, or platforms that offer curated startup perks.

How much is the Gorgias startup program actually worth?

The cash value of this program depends on the plan you choose. While the Starter plan offers a clear entry point, the value increases significantly as you move into higher tiers. For businesses that need advanced features from the start, this discount can save you nearly two thousand dollars.

Here’s a quick look at the value in 2026:

Plan	Monthly Price	Two Free Months	Maximum Savings
Starter	$10	$20	$20
Basic	$60	$120	$120
Pro	$360	$720	$720
Advanced	$900	$1,800	$1,800

The program is especially valuable for startups that anticipate high customer volume and want to start with the Pro or Advanced plans. Saving $1,800 is a great way to extend your runway while using an industry-leading tool.

How to apply and check your Gorgias startup program eligibility

Getting into the Gorgias startup program is straightforward for those connected to the startup ecosystem. Here’s what you need to know.

Who’s eligible:

• You have to be a brand-new Gorgias customer. This is designed to help new teams get started.

• You need to be an early-stage startup. Your partner program will usually help verify your status.

• You must sign up through a recognized partner portal. This includes your accelerator, a VC, or a startup deal platform.

The process:

1. First, find a partner program that offers the Gorgias perk.

2. Follow the instructions for claiming the deal, which usually involves a specific sign-up link or promo code.

3. Sign up for your Gorgias account through that partner link.

4. Once the first month is paid, your credits should be applied automatically for the second and third months.

A closer look at Gorgias pricing plans

For a startup, understanding how Gorgias structures its pricing is important for planning. Gorgias uses a ticket-based model, which allows your costs to scale naturally alongside your business growth.

Here are the standard pricing plans for 2026:

Plan	Monthly Price	Included Tickets/mo	Overage Cost (per 100)	Key Features
Starter	$10	50	~$40	Core inbox, basic rules, up to 3 users
Basic	$60	300	$40	Omnichannel, integrations, unlimited users
Pro	$360	2,000	$36	Advanced analytics, priority onboarding
Advanced	$900	5,000	$36	Granular roles, higher API limits
Enterprise	Custom	10,000+	Custom	SSO, SLAs, dedicated support

Is the Gorgias startup program the best choice for your startup?

A discount is a great incentive, and for many, Gorgias is the gold standard for e-commerce support. The best support strategy often involves combining a mature platform like Gorgias with specialized AI tools to ensure your support is efficient and ready to grow.

Scaling your support costs gracefully

The free months from the Gorgias startup program are a fantastic way to start. As you move into month four and beyond, Gorgias's ticket-based pricing ensures you are paying for the value you receive. For startups looking for even more cost consistency, you can use complementary tools like eesel AI to handle high-volume inquiries.

eesel AI works alongside your helpdesk and offers flat-rate pricing with no fees per resolution. This means you can keep your Gorgias ticket counts manageable while still providing instant support to every customer. It’s a great way to maintain predictable monthly costs while enjoying the benefits of a top-tier helpdesk.

Getting value fast with your setup

Gorgias is a comprehensive platform, and because it is so powerful, it offers deep customization through rules and macros to fit your specific business. To get the most out of your setup from day one, you might consider adding a tool like eesel AI.

eesel AI is built so you can get it running yourself in just a few minutes. It integrates seamlessly with Gorgias, allowing you to connect your knowledge sources and start automating support almost instantly. While you build out your long-term workflows in Gorgias, an AI agent from eesel AI can start delivering value to your customers immediately.

Beyond e-commerce: Unified knowledge for your team

Gorgias is the leader for e-commerce, but startups often have knowledge scattered across many platforms, such as Confluence, Notion, and Google Docs.

You can enhance your Gorgias experience by using eesel AI to connect all your knowledge sources instantly. It acts as a bridge, pulling information from your helpdesk, internal docs, and Slack to provide the AI with a central brain. This makes Gorgias even more powerful, as the AI can provide accurate answers based on your entire company's knowledge base.

Optimizing your automation with simulation

When you're implementing a professional tool like Gorgias, you want to be sure your automation is working perfectly. While Gorgias provides a reliable ticketing system, adding eesel AI's simulation mode allows you to test your automation strategy before it goes live.

You can test the AI on your past support conversations in a safe environment. This gives you a clear look at how the AI will handle inquiries and how much time it will save your team. It’s a fantastic way to optimize your Gorgias setup and ensure your customers always get the best possible experience.

Think beyond the discount: Focus on long-term value

The Gorgias startup program is an excellent offer that provides real financial support for new businesses. Gaining access to a top-tier, enterprise-grade helpdesk for free for two months is a significant opportunity.

For long-term success, the most effective strategy is to combine a mature, trusted platform like Gorgias with modern AI automation. This approach gives you the reliability of an industry leader alongside the speed and flexibility of specialized AI tools. While the startup program helps your budget today, building a support ecosystem that is scalable and data-driven will deliver the most value for years to come.

As you plan your support strategy, take advantage of the Gorgias startup program and look for ways to make your setup even more efficient.

Ready for an AI support solution that you can set up yourself in minutes and test with confidence? See how eesel AI enhances your Gorgias automation. Start your free trial today.