Is this actionable now?

rolling. Continuous online application; the current DigitalOcean Startups program replaces legacy Hatch.

A startup with at most $10 million raised, a company website and corporate email, a new DigitalOcean team account and valid payment card. Service firms, prior credit recipients and prohibited use cases are excluded; AI-native startups receive priority.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Credits expire after the program term and are use-or-lose; no cash claims apply. Credits are non-transferable, cannot be extended, and exclude prohibited services and crypto mining; the usual $10,000 monthly usage ceiling constrains realization.

DigitalOcean Startups

Twelve months of cloud credits with acceptance-specific value, generally capped at $10,000 of use per month, plus 15 months of Standard Support · DigitalOcean · rolling applications

DigitalOcean Startups is a non-dilutive support programme from DigitalOcean for Eligible startups worldwide with a company-domain email, new DigitalOcean team account, and any required accelerator or investor referral Current lifecycle: rolling. Real economics: Twelve months of cloud credits with acceptance-specific value, generally capped at $10,000 of use per month, plus 15 months of Standard Support.

Tier 3corporateglobalcloud-creditsnon-dilutive

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	DigitalOcean
Amount	Twelve months of cloud credits with acceptance-specific value, generally capped at $10,000 of use per month, plus 15 months of Standard Support
Deadline	Rolling — apply anytime
Decision time	No universal approval time is published.
Eligibility	A startup with at most $10 million raised, a company website and corporate email, a new DigitalOcean team account and valid payment card. Service firms, prior credit recipients and prohibited use cases are excluded; AI-native startups receive priority.
Restrictions	Credits expire after the program term and are use-or-lose; no cash claims apply. Credits are non-transferable, cannot be extended, and exclude prohibited services and crypto mining; the usual $10,000 monthly usage ceiling constrains realization.
Status	rolling

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Create a new DigitalOcean team account
Submit the startup application with company and funding details
Complete eligibility review
Receive an assigned credit package and Standard Support
Use credits within the 12-month window

Background

DigitalOcean operates DigitalOcean Startups. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. DigitalOcean replaced the prior Hatch program with a current startup route The official page publishes 12-month credits and 15 months of Standard Support

How the application really works

Create a new DigitalOcean team account → Submit the startup application with company and funding details → Complete eligibility review → Receive an assigned credit package and Standard Support → Use credits within the 12-month window

Tips

Show direct fit with cloud software.
Show direct fit with AI-native products.
Show direct fit with developer infrastructure.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is rolling.
Credits expire after the program term and are use-or-lose; no cash claims apply.
Credits are non-transferable, cannot be extended, and exclude prohibited services and crypto mining; the usual $10,000 monthly usage ceiling constrains realization.

Track record

DigitalOcean replaced the prior Hatch program with a current startup route
The official page publishes 12-month credits and 15 months of Standard Support

No applicant denominator or acceptance rate is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: rolling. Continuous online application; the current DigitalOcean Startups program replaces legacy Hatch.
What is the real economic value?: Twelve months of cloud credits with acceptance-specific value, generally capped at $10,000 of use per month, plus 15 months of Standard Support
Who is eligible?: A startup with at most $10 million raised, a company website and corporate email, a new DigitalOcean team account and valid payment card. Service firms, prior credit recipients and prohibited use cases are excluded; AI-native startups receive priority.
How does selection work?: Create a new DigitalOcean team account; Submit the startup application with company and funding details; Complete eligibility review; Receive an assigned credit package and Standard Support; Use credits within the 12-month window. No universal approval time is published.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Credits expire after the program term and are use-or-lose; no cash claims apply. Credits are non-transferable, cannot be extended, and exclude prohibited services and crypto mining; the usual $10,000 monthly usage ceiling constrains realization.
What evidence exists?: DigitalOcean replaced the prior Hatch program with a current startup route The official page publishes 12-month credits and 15 months of Standard Support No applicant denominator or acceptance rate is published.

Sources

www.digitalocean.com/startups — Official current benefits, funding cap, eligibility, monthly limit and contact (checked 2026-08-10)
www.digitalocean.com/legal/hatch-terms-of-service — Official confirmation that legacy Hatch is no longer the active route (checked 2026-08-10)