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Easy to Apply

4.5/5

DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch)

12 months of cloud credits + priority support for early-stage & AI startups

Credit Value

Up to $100,000

12-month "use it or lose it" program.

Apply Now

Credit Value

Up to $100,000

Apply Effort

Easy to Apply

Our Rating

4.5/5

Best For

Startups needing simple, affordable cloud hosting, GPUs, or real-time/AI workloads

What You Get

DigitalOcean Startups (also known as Hatch) is a global program designed to help early-stage and AI-native startups scale faster with affordable cloud infrastructure. It provides 12 months of promotional credits, priority support, expert guidance, and a strong partner ecosystem.

Credit Breakdown & Tiers

Core Credits: 12 months of infrastructure credits (amount varies by approval and partner affiliation; many receive $5K–$20K, with qualified Hatch/AI participants accessing up to $100,000 in compute credits).
GPU Credits: Separate selective credits for AI/ML workloads (available to qualified startups after additional review).
Monthly Limit: Generally $10,000 per month (excess usage is charged normally).

Additional benefits:

15 months of free Standard-tier support ($99/month value)
Expert 1:1 sessions with product managers and engineers
Access to DigitalOcean startup community and events
Marketplace exposure for your tools
Partner perks (Stripe Atlas discounts, third-party credits, etc.)
Special GPU Droplet pricing for select participants ($1.90/GPU/hour in some offers)

Available Tiers

$5 000

$20 000

$100 000

✓ Who Qualifies

Raised $10 million or less
Have a company website and business email
New to DigitalOcean (no prior promotional credits)
Building a technology product (AI-native prioritized)
Create a DigitalOcean Team account with company email

✗ Limitations

Service-based businesses (agencies, consultancies) ineligible
Credits expire after 12 months (no extensions)
Core credits exclude most GPU and third-party AI inference services
Higher credits usually require approved partner (VC/accelerator)
Monthly usage caps apply

How to Apply

1
Visit https://www.digitalocean.com/startups and click Apply
2
Create a DigitalOcean Team account with your company email
3
Fill out the Typeform application (company details, website, funding stage, use case)
4
If affiliated with a partner (VC/accelerator), mention them for higher credits
5
Submit — review typically takes a few days to weeks
6
Once approved, credits are added to your account
7
Activate and start building (use credits on eligible services)

Our Take

DigitalOcean Startups / Hatch is an excellent, developer-friendly alternative to the big hyperscalers (AWS/GCP/Azure). It’s especially strong for AI/ML startups thanks to GPU access, simple pricing, and generous credits for qualified participants.

Worth applying? Yes, even the standard tier helps significantly during early scaling, and the 15 months of free support is a big plus.

Insider tips: Apply as early as possible. If you’re part of any accelerator, incubator, or have VC backing, check the partner list (digitalocean.com/hatch/partners) — this often unlocks higher credit amounts. Clearly explain your product and AI/cloud usage in the application. Start using credits early since they are “use it or lose it.” Stack this with other programs (it pairs well with AI-focused credits like Anthropic or Vercel).

Common Questions

Is DigitalOcean Startups / Hatch legit?

Yes, official program from DigitalOcean that has supported thousands of startups since 2016.

How much credit can I get?

Varies, standard approvals often $5K–$20K; qualified AI/Hatch participants can receive up to $100K (plus separate GPU credits).

Do I need to be backed by a VC or accelerator?

Not required for basic entry, but partner affiliation significantly increases your chances of higher credits.

What are the credit exclusions?

Core credits do not cover most GPU Droplets, NVIDIA H100, Bare Metal GPUs, Dedicated Inference, and many third-party AI models.

How long do the credits last?

12 months — unused credits expire with no extensions.

Is it good for AI startups?

Yes, they prioritize AI-native startups and offer separate GPU credit packages for qualified teams.

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