Alternatives

The Best Crunchbase Alternative for AI Startups

Short answer: StartupHub.ai is the strongest Crunchbase alternative for AI and deep tech. It is free to search, and unlike Crunchbase it ships a self-serve REST and MCP API that discovers new and stealth-mode startups in real time, with pay-per-call x402 pricing instead of an enterprise contract.

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StartupHub.ai vs Crunchbase

FeatureStartupHub.aiCrunchbase
Free access tier
AI / deep-tech focus
Real-time new-startup discovery
Stealth-mode startup coverage
Self-serve REST API (no sales cycle)
MCP server for Claude / Cursor
Pay-per-call (x402) for agents
Funding round + investor data
Enterprise-grade global coverage
Decades of historical M&A data

Why choose StartupHub.ai over Crunchbase

Real-time discovery

New AI startups are added daily, often before they appear in Crunchbase. Pull the freshest first with GET /api/v1/startups?sort=created_at.desc.

Stealth-mode coverage

Surfaces companies operating in stealth, before a public launch. Crunchbase, by definition, cannot. See /stealth-startup-api.

API-first and self-serve

A key in 30 seconds, no enterprise sales cycle. REST plus an MCP server for Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Agent-native pricing

Pay per call in USDC over x402, so autonomous agents can query the directory with no account or human in the loop.

AI-first focus

Built for the AI ecosystem: LLM companies, agents, infra, and deep tech, not a general cross-industry index.

Free to browse

The directory, funding data, and investor profiles are free, with a free API tier on top.

When Crunchbase is still the better choice

We will be honest: Crunchbase wins for broad cross-industry coverage, decades of historical M&A data, and large enterprises already standardized on it. If you need every company in every sector going back years, Crunchbase is deeper. StartupHub.ai is the better pick when you care about what is new, AI-focused, in stealth, or accessed programmatically by an agent.

Frequently asked

What is the best Crunchbase alternative?
For AI and deep-tech specifically, StartupHub.ai is the strongest Crunchbase alternative. It is free to search, and unlike Crunchbase it offers a self-serve REST and MCP API that discovers new and stealth-mode startups in real time, with pay-per-call pricing instead of an enterprise contract.
Is there a free Crunchbase alternative?
Yes. StartupHub.ai gives free access to its AI startup directory, funding rounds, and investor profiles with no credit card. A free API tier (100 queries/day) is included; paid tiers unlock higher volume and stealth-mode rows.
Is there a Crunchbase API alternative?
Yes. StartupHub.ai exposes the directory through GET /api/v1/startups and a Model Context Protocol endpoint at /api/v1/mcp. It is self-serve (a key in 30 seconds, no enterprise sales process) and supports x402 pay-per-call so AI agents can query it autonomously.
How is StartupHub.ai different from Crunchbase?
Crunchbase is the system of record for companies that have already raised or have a public profile. StartupHub.ai sits earlier in the timeline: it surfaces newly launched and stealth-mode companies before they appear elsewhere, focuses on the AI ecosystem, and is API-first and agent-native.
When is Crunchbase still the better choice?
Crunchbase wins for broad, cross-industry coverage, decades of historical M&A data, and large enterprises that already standardize on it. If you need every company in every sector going back years, Crunchbase is deeper. For finding what is new, AI-focused, or in stealth, StartupHub.ai is purpose-built.
Does it cover stealth-mode startups?
Yes, and Crunchbase does not. StartupHub.ai surfaces companies operating in stealth, before a public launch, and exposes them via GET /api/v1/startups?stealth=true on Pro and above. See the stealth startup API page for details.
What does it cost compared to Crunchbase?
StartupHub.ai is free to browse, with a free API tier. Paid plans run $30 to $90/month, versus Crunchbase Pro and its enterprise API contracts which are materially more expensive. You pay for what you query rather than a seat or annual license.
Does it work with AI agents?
Yes. The same data is available over MCP for Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf, and agents can pay per call through x402 with no account, which no incumbent startup database offers.

Start exploring for free

Search the directory free, or grab an API key in 30 seconds. New and stealth-mode startups, REST + MCP + x402.

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