DigitalOcean Startups
DigitalOcean Startups — cloud credits
What you get
12 months of DigitalOcean credits (amount varies)
DigitalOcean Startups gives selected startups 12 months of DigitalOcean credits, 15 months of free Standard-tier support, expert one-on-ones and a startup community. The credit amount varies.
About this deal
DigitalOcean Startups is awarded through approved partners — VCs, accelerators, and incubators. Founders without a partner can still apply and select "Other." Your exact credit amount is set in your onboarding email; most participants get a $10,000 monthly limit, with usage above that charged normally.
Core credits don't cover:
- GPU Droplets, H100 GPU Kubernetes, or Bare Metal GPUs
- Dedicated or serverless inference
- Third-party hosted AI models
- Paperspace or Cloudways
Selected startups may be invited to apply for a separate GPU credit package. Credits last 12 months, can't be transferred or extended, and any unused balance is forfeited.
Eligibility
DigitalOcean prioritizes AI-native startups; service-based businesses (consulting, web or app development, marketing agencies) aren't eligible. You'll need:
- $10M or less raised
- A company website and matching company email
- A new DigitalOcean team account with that email and a valid credit card
The program is only for startups that haven't used DigitalOcean startup credits before.
How to redeem
- Create a new DigitalOcean team account using your company email and a valid credit card
- Apply on the DigitalOcean Startups page (digitalocean.com/startups)
- If you don't have a VC, incubator, or accelerator partner, select "Other" as your affiliated partner
Accepted startups receive their perks through a Welcome Kit.
