Build. Launch. Scale. Grow with the Startup-Friendly Agentic Cloud.
Ready to build the future? DigitalOcean has the AI infrastructure and platform to enable you to build, deploy, and scale with ease.
Startups; Unlock growth with DigitalOcean GradientAI
Imagine building and scaling your AI startup without the typical cloud cost barriers. DigitalOcean makes it possible. We understand the need for agile, affordable infrastructure, and we've tailored exclusive benefits to fuel your innovation. DigitalOcean Startups empowers you to scale your AI ambitions, not just your expenses.
Access to Powerful GPUs at an affordable price
Gradient Platform, Powered by DigitalOcean credits
Early-Stage Boost
Future-Proof Your Infrastructure
What our happy startups are saying
The platform has reduced our time to market for AI features. It's also made it easier for us to estimate projects with a lower threshold which makes it easier for our agency to focus on our AI offerings in general.
Johann Bengsston
CTO, Brainforest
DigitalOcean: Your launchpad to hyper-growth
12 months to scale
Get the cloud infrastructure you need with DigitalOcean for Startups credits (amount varies) to focus on building, not billing.
Expert one-on-ones
DigitalOcean connects you directly with DigitalOcean's product managers, engineers, and more for personalized guidance.
Never miss a beat
Free access to Standard-tier paid support for 15 months to ensure your startup stays up and running smoothly.
DigitalOcean startup community
Network online and offline with like-minded founders in the DigitalOcean Startup community.
Supercharge your growth:
The DigitalOcean Marketplace puts your innovative tools in front of a massive developer audience.
Unleash your startup's potential: Powerful builder tools at your fingertips
Go beyond basic perks. Access a treasure trove of exclusive builder tools designed to empower founders and startups. Build, launch, and scale your dream venture faster and more efficiently.
$1.90/GPU/hour on-demand GPU Droplets for 12 months!
20% off Stripe Atlas
1 year of Cloudflare Enterprise for free
2 months free of paid Standard Plan
$500 in credit
90 days of free use
12 months of free Retool credit
Up to $5k in credit
$1000 in credit
Get $500 cash when you deposit $50k
$2000 in credit
$1000 credit toward Team or Enterprise plan
Up to 90% off year one
$1000 in credit
Free use until $1MM in revenue/processed value
$2500 in credits
Get 15 months of free Standard Tier support
The DigitalOcean AI Startup Ecosystem
Partner with DigitalOcean and equip your startups with the AI platform built for explosive growth.
From seed to scale: See how DigitalOcean empowered future innovators
What makes DigitalOcean the startup launchpad?
As a founder and somebody that doesn't have a DevOps background, I didn't spend every morning of my life wearing a pager and doing XML sit-ups…what I wanted to do was ship an application to users so that we could begin iterating it.
Jordan Husney
CEO @ parabol.co
The cost savings we get by using DigitalOcean enables us to offer our customers pricing that is roughly 5 times more affordable than what the competition is offering. DigitalOcean is the perfect fit for small and medium sized businesses.
Vujadian Divjak
CMO @ Publitio
We had been growing 10 to 20% a month. And every step of the way, DO had tools that were exactly what it is right. We came for the simplicity and then, as we scaled, we were actually very pleasantly surprised by many things on the platform.
Daniel Ni
Founder and CEO @ ScraperAPI
Recommended resources
Successful Customer Acquisition for Startups
For many entrepreneurs attempting to monetize or build a business out of their products, what comes after the initial proof of concept is somewhat of a mystery.
From Startup to Sustainability: Best Practices for Engineering Teams in Times of Transition
A more reliable way to scale where you move fast, and break less. Learn how to structure your business goals to mitigate potential risk, knock down technical debt, and improve processes.
Startup funding explained: Series A, Series B, Series C
Startup funding can get confusing. Outside of bootstrapping a startup with founder funds, many early-stage businesses raise funding from various sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is DigitalOcean for Startups?
DigitalOcean for Startups helps developers create, launch, and scale their startups. This includes a range of perks to get you started, including 12 months of DigitalOcean credits to easily deploy and scale your infrastructure.
Why is DigitalOcean doing this?
We want to empower the startup community. We always strive to support and show love to our community. We want it to be easy for you to have access to our resources.
Who is eligible for DigitalOcean for Startups? How do you select DigitalOcean for Startups members?
We prioritize AI startups. New applicants are evaluated using the following criteria:
- Must be affiliated with an approved accelerator, incubator, or VC firm (see full list here).
- Must not have received previous DigitalOcean promotional credits.
- Must have raised a Series B or less.
- Must have a company website, and an email address associated with the company website.
- Must create a registered DigitalOcean team account with a business/company email (not a personal email account).
How do I know if my accelerator/incubator/VC firm has a relationship with the DigitalOcean for Startups?
Please see our portfolio partner list. You can ask your program manager if you have a partnership with DigitalOcean for Startups.
I do not see my accelerator listed in the partner section. Can I still apply for the DigitalOcean for Startups program?
Yes, have your program manager apply to become a DigitalOcean for Startups partner here.
How can I get started if I'm not backed by a VC, incubator, or accelerator program?
Please fill out the application here and select “Other“ when prompted for an affiliated partner organization.
How many credits do I get?
DigitalOcean awards startups credits through approved DigitalOcean for Startups partners. To learn more about your eligibility award level, please contact your program manager at your DigitalOcean for Startups Partner.
What if I have already received credits for my startup?
This program is for new startups that have not used prior credits with DigitalOcean.
How do DigitalOcean credits work?
You will be given a fixed amount of monthly credits to be used over the 1-year program.
Do DigitalOcean credits cover GPU Droplet usage?
DigitalOcean credits do not cover your GPU Droplet usage. Your account's payment method will be charged for usage at our current discounted rate of $1.90/GPU/hour.
Can you help migrate my customers from other public clouds to DigitalOcean?
Yes, we have migration plans, technical assistance, and credits available to make it easy for your clients.
How do I receive access to the DigitalOcean for Startups perks?
You can access DigitalOcean for Startups's perks through the Welcome Kit that you receive when you're accepted into the program.
What happens if I go over the monthly credit limit?
If you go over the monthly credit limit, you will be charged for the additional usage for that month.
Do I need to be a DigitalOcean customer to sign up for DigitalOcean for Startups?
Before applying for DigitalOcean for Startups, you must create a new DigitalOcean team account for your startup with 1) the corporate email address associated with your company domain and 2) a valid credit card. You can learn more about DO Team Account here. For security reasons, applicants must include a working website and matching corporate email address.
Can I transfer my DigitalOcean credits?
No. The DigitalOcean credits are designed to help you scale your infrastructure and are not transferable. If you do not use the credits, they will be forfeited.
Are there any other limitations on how I use DigitalOcean credits?
Yes. DigitalOcean cannot be used for H100 GPU Products. You cannot use the DigitalOcean credits for the mining of cryptocurrency (e.g. bitcoin mining). You can also not use the DigitalOcean credits for programs that consume excessive network capacity, CPU cycles, or disk IO. If you do, DigitalOcean may end your participation in the DigitalOcean for Startups program. Please review the DigitalOcean for Startups Terms of Service.
I haven't been able to spend all my credits. Can I get an extension?
The DigitalOcean for Startups program does not grant extensions.
Get started for free
Sign up and get $200 in credit for your first 60 days with DigitalOcean.*
*This promotional offer applies to new accounts only.