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Who can apply for these credits
You can apply for these if you meet these criteria:
- You are a FounderPass Premium member
- You have not previously received DigitalOcean promotional credits
- You are not an existing DigitalOcean customer
- Your company has not raised Series A or above
- You have a real business with a functioning website and email
Note: Each FounderPass account can redeem this perk once. If you operate multiple businesses, each requires a separate FounderPass account.
What you receive with the Digital Ocean Hatch program
This deal is no longer available.
How the application works
The process is not instant because this is a verified startup program rather than an automated promo code.
- Join FounderPass as a Premium member
- Click the deal button on this page
- Submit the short request form
- You receive step by step instructions by email
- You apply through the DigitalOcean Hatch with our partner code
- Digital Ocean will then process your application in 3-7 business days and get back to you.
Please note during holidays the time can take slightly longer for applications to be processed.
About Digital Ocean
DigitalOcean is known for doing one thing very well, Making cloud infrastructure simple. While other cloud platforms focus on enterprise complexity, DigitalOcean focuses on clarity, clear pricing and a nice clean dashboard as well as predictable billing.
Businesses use DigitalOcean for a variety of purposes but these tend to be:
- Hosting SaaS products
- Running APIs and backend services
- Deploying containers and static sites
- Managing databases and storage
- Scaling apps without heavy DevOps overhead
Pricing is typically monthly per resource, with usage based add ons when limits are exceeded. Compared to larger cloud platforms, DigitalOcean is widely seen as easier to understand and easier to control financially.
There is no permanent free tier, but new users often receive small trial credits. The Hatch program goes far beyond that by giving startups like yours meaningful runway.
Why founders choose Digital Ocean
From our experience working with founders, DigitalOcean is often chosen for three reasons.
It is easier to learn.
It is easier to manage.
It is easier to predict costs.
For startups without large DevOps teams, that simplicity matters.
About the $5,000 credits
The $5,000 credit:
- Can be used across DigitalOcean services
- Is valid for 12 months
- Expires if unused after the period
- Cannot be reissued or extended
As with most free credits, once credits are used or expire, your account simply continues on normal pricing.
How this compares to other cloud credits
DigitalOcean credits are similar in purpose to AWS startup credits or Google Cloud credits, but they differ in experience.
DigitalOcean is often chosen when founders want less complexity and clearer billing. AWS and Google Cloud are often chosen for maximum service depth and enterprise scale.
The best choice depends on how technical your product is and how much operational overhead you want to manage.
FounderPass summary
DigitalOcean is not trying to be everything to everyone, it is trying to be the cloud platform that founders can actually understand.
If you want a clean, predictable and startup friendly cloud experience, these credits are one of the easiest ways to start.
Digital Ocean alternatives
If DigitalOcean isn't hitting the spot for your needs then check out the other options that founders often look at offering startup credits. Each provider has different pricing models, learning curves and long term cost structures.
The key decision is not just how much free credit you receive, but how comfortable you are with the platform once those credits run out.
Digital Ocean FAQs
Can I use this if I already have a DigitalOcean account?
No., this startup credit is for new customers only and for those that meet the criteria listed.
Can I receive the $5,000 instantly?
No, this is a verified startup program, not an instant promo code, Approval is required to access this, once approved though you'll get the free credit either auto applied or via a promo code.
Can I use the credits more than once?
No, each business can redeem this offer once.
What happens when my credits run out?
Your account continues as normal and you pay for usage at standard pricing. So we always recommend checking pricing even if you don't think you'll go through the credits quickly so you know.
What can I spend the credits on?
You can use them across DigitalOcean services such as compute, storage, networking and databases. Please do double check with Digital Ocean to make sure you fully understand this as these can change from time to time.
Is this suitable for non technical founders?
Yes, many non technical founders choose DigitalOcean because of its simplicity however you will still need some technical knowledge to understand how it all works.
Why does DigitalOcean offer these credits?
Like most cloud providers, DigitalOcean uses credits to help startups test the platform with lower risk and build long term relationships. The idea being, you'll enjoy the platform, use the credits and then start paying and be a long term customer.
Deal change log
- January 14, 2026 - Deal no longer available
- January 12, 2026 - Update to redemption instructions