DigitalOcean’s Hatch is a global startup support initiative that provides early-stage companies with access to cloud credits, GPU compute resources, expert support, mentorship, and community exposure. If you’re planning on building with DigitalOcean, you won’t want to miss this opportunity.

• Up to $100,000 in Compute Credits over 12 months, available to cover development, deployment, and growth needs.
• Note that the credits do not cover GPU Droplet usage, but you’ll receive a discounted rate. 
• Discounted NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPU Droplets, priced around $1.90 per hour for up to 12 months, to support AI and machine learning workloads.
• Up to 3 months of free GPU usage, which is particularly valuable for startups working on AI or data-intensive applications.
• Complimentary Premium Support, including access to DigitalOcean’s technical team and priority ticket handling.
• Access to the DigitalOcean Marketplace and Community, with opportunities for co-marketing and engagement with over 600,000 global customers.
• Partner Perks via the Hatch Welcome Kit, offering credits and discounts from leading tools like Stripe, GitHub, Notion, Segment, Cloudflare, and others.

Eligibility for Hatch is pretty similar to credit programs from other providers. In general, they’re looking for early-stage startups that are new customers and can show how they’ll be using the credits to power their product.  

• Your company must have raised a Series A or less
• Annual revenue should be under $10 million.
• You must be a new DigitalOcean customer and not have received previous DigitalOcean promotional credits.
• Should be affiliated with an approved accelerator, incubator, or VC firm (be ready to provide proof demonstrating affiliation with the partner) 
• While being affiliated with an accelerator or VC is preferred, you can still fill out the application and select “Other” when prompted for an affiliated partner organization to apply.

To apply:

• Prepare your startup’s assets:
• Create a DigitalOcean team account using a business email that matches your company’s domain.
• Make sure your company website is public and operational.
• Complete the online form and include information about your company, product, and team.
• If applicable, include referral information from a partner to unlock higher credit tiers.
• DigitalOcean typically reviews and responds to applications within 3 to 10 business days.

• Use your company domain email to apply, rather than a generic email like Gmail or Outlook. This adds credibility and aligns with DigitalOcean’s verification checks.
• Mention any affiliations with recognized accelerators or VCs to strengthen your application and potentially access larger credit amounts.
• Describe your product clearly, focusing on its technical components and how you plan to use cloud or GPU resources.
• Plan your usage of credits across the 12-month duration, since they are distributed monthly and do not carry over. If you go over, you’ll be charged for the extra.

• GPU credits are separate. While you get up to 3 months of free GPU usage, your regular Hatch credits do not cover GPU time after that initial period. Ongoing GPU costs are billed separately at a discounted rate.
• Direct applicants may receive lower credits than those referred by partners. If you are connected with an incubator or funding body, ask if they are part of DigitalOcean’s partner network. 
• The 12-month window is firm. All credits, whether used or not, expire at the end of 12 months. Start using them early and plan ahead.
• The Hatch Welcome Kit includes more than just cloud perks. Many startups miss the chance to claim perks like $5,000 in Segment credits, 90% off HubSpot, or GitHub Enterprise seats for a year.

DigitalOcean’s Hatch program is a strong offering for startups, especially those building AI, data, or cloud-native products. It provides generous compute credits, early access to GPU infrastructure, technical support, and ecosystem exposure. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a scaling startup, Hatch offers accessible tools and resources to help you build confidently and grow efficiently.