How do I get Crunchbase?

Excuse me, I was wondering if you could shed some light on the process of acquiring Crunchbase. I've heard quite a bit about its usefulness in tracking company information and investment trends, but I'm not quite sure how to go about getting access to it. Is it a subscription-based service? Are there any free alternatives that you could recommend? Additionally, do you know if there are any special promotions or discounts available for first-time users? Your insights would be greatly appreciated.