CreditStack

Digitalocean

Hatch Startup Program

Up to $100K in credits
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Up to $100K in DigitalOcean credits plus 3 months free GPU for early-stage startups.

DigitalOcean's Hatch gives you up to $100K in compute credits to spend on their infrastructure—droplets, databases, Kubernetes, the works. You also get 3 months of free GPU usage, priority support, and access to their marketplace. The credits are real money off your bill, not marketing spend. You'll need to be pre-seed or Series A, ideally with some traction or a credible founding team. Credits expire after 12 months, so plan accordingly. This is straightforward cloud infrastructure fuel with no equity grab or accelerator requirement.

Program details

Tier 1

Hatch Program

Exclusive benefits package to help startups experiment, develop, and scale for less

$100K

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Application difficulty: Medium Benefits: Exceptional Duration: 12 months

Benefits

  • Up to $100,000 in compute credits
  • Up to 3 months of free GPU usage
  • Complimentary premium support
  • Access to DigitalOcean's marketplace of 600,000+ customers
  • Co-marketing support and partner opportunities at DigitalOcean events

Eligibility

  • Affiliation with an approved accelerator, incubator, or VC
  • Raised Series A or earlier
  • No prior DigitalOcean promotional credits
  • Business website and matching domain email
  • Valid credit card on DO team account

How to apply

  1. 1

    Create DigitalOcean Team Account

    Must use a company domain email and a valid credit card

    Sign up →
  2. 2

    Submit Hatch Application

    Complete the online application (affiliation details, team info)

    Apply Now →
Apply for Hatch Program →

Pros

  • ✓ Up to $100K in actual compute credits with no equity stake
  • ✓ 3 months of free GPU usage—meaningful if you're training models or running heavy workloads
  • ✓ Priority support included; useful when you're scaling fast and need help

Cons

  • ✗ Credits expire after 12 months; unused balance is gone
  • ✗ Limited to DigitalOcean's platform—no multi-cloud flexibility
  • ✗ Requires demonstrable traction or strong founding credentials; not for pre-idea stage

Frequently asked questions

What is Hatch?
Hatch helps developers create, launch, and scale their startups on DigitalOcean by providing up to $100,000 in compute credits, up to 3 months of free GPU usage, premium support, and access to DigitalOcean's marketplace and community.
Why is DigitalOcean doing this?
They aim to empower the startup community by making cloud resources more accessible and cost-effective, with a special focus on helping teams working on next-generation AI and ML projects.
Who is eligible for DigitalOcean Hatch, and how are participants selected?
Startups must be pre-Series B, have no prior DO credits, and be affiliated with an approved accelerator/incubator/VC. DigitalOcean prioritizes AI, ML, streaming, gaming, fintech, devtools, etc.
How do I know if my accelerator or VC firm is a partner?
Check the partner list on the Hatch site or ask your program manager if they have a formal partnership with Hatch.
My accelerator isn't listed. Can I still apply?
Yes. You can ask your accelerator or incubator to apply to become a Hatch partner.
How can I get started if I'm not backed by a formal accelerator or VC?
Submit an application and select 'Other' when prompted for an affiliated partner organization.
How many credits do I get?
Qualified startups can receive up to $100,000 in compute credits. The specific amount depends on your qualification and needs.
I already used DigitalOcean promotional credits. Can I join Hatch?
No. Hatch is only for new startups without prior DO credit usage.
I'm an existing DigitalOcean customer. Am I eligible?
No. Existing customers are not eligible for Hatch.
How do the Hatch credits work?
You receive a fixed amount of credits each month for 12 months.
Do Hatch credits cover GPU Droplet usage?
Yes. Qualified startups can receive up to 3 months of free GPU usage. Terms apply.
Does DigitalOcean help with migrations from other clouds?
Yes. They offer migration assistance and credits to help you move your workloads.
How do I receive access to Hatch perks?
Once accepted, you'll get a Welcome Kit containing instructions and partner discount information.
What if I go over the monthly credit limit?
Any usage beyond the monthly allotment is billed to your payment method.
Do I need a DigitalOcean account to sign up for Hatch?
Yes. You must create a new DO team account with a company-domain email and valid credit card.
Can I transfer my Hatch credits?
No. Credits are non-transferable and must be used by your startup's account.
Any limitations on using Hatch credits?
They can't be used on H100 GPU products, crypto-mining, or extremely high resource usage. See the Hatch TOS for details.
How can I get help with extensions or more questions?
Email hatch@digitalocean.com, and the Hatch team will assist you.

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Tags

#cloud #gpu #ai
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