8 Best DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) Alternatives in 2026
DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) is 12 months of DigitalOcean credits, 15 months of free support and partner perks for startups that raised $10M or less., priced at free to join. If it is too expensive, too slow or simply not a fit, these are the strongest alternatives we have reviewed.
1
Up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits pre-funding, or up to $200,000 ($350,000 for AI-first startups) once VC-funded.
🎁 up to $350k · #1 web rank
9.0/10
What you get Google Cloud runs two tiers: - Start tier for digital-native startups with a working MVP that plan to raise venture funding soon: up to $2,000 in Google Cloud credits, valid for one year, $200 in Google Skills training credits and Google Workspace Business Plus free for 12 months for new sign-ups. - Scale tier for VC-funded startups:… Read more →
Pros
- No partner code needed for the Scale tier
- Up to $350,000 for AI-first startups
- Extras such as Workspace, Maps and support credits
Cons
- Start tier is only $2,000
- Year 2 covers just 20% of usage
Pricing: Up to $350k in credits & perks · google cloud gcp cloud credits gemini ai startups
🔥 Deal: Up to $2,000 (Start) or up to $200,000 / $350,000 for AI-first startups (Scale) in Google Cloud credits
2
Up to $5,000 in AWS credits if you are self-funded, or up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider Org ID.
🎁 up to $200k · partner code · #27 web rank
9.0/10
What you get AWS Activate gives startups promotional credits for AWS services, in two tiers that share one application: - Activate Founders (self-funded or bootstrapped): you start with $1,000 in credits, and AWS says select participants may qualify for more, up to $5,000. - Activate Portfolio (backed by an accelerator, angel group or VC that is an Activate Provider): up… Read more →
Pros
- Open to self-funded founders as well as funded startups
- Up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider Org ID
- Covers the broadest cloud catalogue
Cons
- The big tier needs a code from a provider investor or accelerator
- Founders tier starts at $1,000; more is at AWS discretion
Pricing: Up to $200k in credits & perks · aws cloud credits activate infrastructure partner code
🔥 Deal: Up to $5,000 (Founders) or up to $200,000 (Portfolio, with Activate Provider Org ID) in AWS credits
3
$10,000 in Cloudflare credits if bootstrapped, $100,000 or $350,000 if funded by an affiliated partner.
🎁 up to $350k · partner code · #2 web rank
8.0/10
What you get Cloudflare's startup program has three tiers, all with credits valid for one year: - Tier 3: $10,000 in credits for bootstrapped or self-funded startups with under $1M raised. Developer docs, Discord and community events. - Tier 2: $100,000 for startups with under $5M raised that are funded by an affiliated partner. Technical sessions and, depending on the… Read more →
Pros
- $10,000 tier open to bootstrapped founders
- Covers Workers, R2, D1 and Workers AI
- Quick review, usually within 48 hours
Cons
- $100,000 and $350,000 tiers need an affiliated partner
- Several products and AI Gateway are not covered
Pricing: Up to $350k in credits & perks · cloudflare workers r2 edge cloud credits
🔥 Deal: $10,000 (bootstrapped), $100,000 or $350,000 (partner-funded) in Cloudflare credits for one year
4
Azure credits from $200 up to $150,000, with higher tiers unlocked by progress or an Investor Network referral code.
🎁 up to $150k · partner code · #7 web rank · ▲ 1 this week
8.0/10
What you get Microsoft for Startups (the program once called Founders Hub) gives Azure "Startup credits", AI tools and go-to-market support. Microsoft states that you can unlock up to $150,000 in Startup credits over time as your startup shows verified progress, service adoption and sustained Azure usage. If you are not working with an investor and you are new to… Read more →
Pros
- Up to $150,000 in Azure credits
- Credits last up to two years once activated
- Access to Azure AI services and Microsoft go-to-market support
Cons
- Entry offer without an investor is only $200 then $4,000
- Investor Network list is not public; B2B startups only
Pricing: Up to $150k in credits & perks · azure microsoft cloud credits founders hub investor network
🔥 Deal: Up to $150,000 in Azure Startup credits (higher tiers via Investor Network referral code)
5
Up to $12,000 (Start) or $120,000 (Scale) in OVHcloud public cloud credits for 12 months, plus free engineer time.
🎁 up to $120k · #1.2k web rank · ▲ 19 this week
7.0/10
What you get The OVHcloud US Startup Program has two 12-month levels: - Start: up to $12,000 in free OVHcloud public cloud credits, 6 hours of one-to-one time with an engineer, visibility for your startup and access to the community. - Scale: up to $120,000 in public cloud credits, 20 hours with an engineer and more personal visibility. OVHcloud runs… Read more →
Pros
- No partner code needed
- Free one-to-one engineer hours
- Can be combined with other cloud programs
Cons
- Credits only cover public cloud products
- Tier is decided by OVHcloud, not by you
Pricing: Up to $120k in credits & perks · ovhcloud public cloud cloud credits europe sovereign cloud
🔥 Deal: Up to $12,000 (Start) or $120,000 (Scale) in OVHcloud US public cloud credits for 12 months
6
A three-year startup program on Akamai Cloud (Linode): $500 to $120,000 in year-one credits, then discounts.
🎁 up to $120k · #1.9k web rank · ▲ 34 this week
7.0/10
What you get Akamai Cloud Rise is a three-year program for startups building on Akamai Cloud (the platform formerly called Linode): - Year one: cloud credits from $500 up to $120,000, depending on your needs. - Years two and three: discounted cloud services. The page does not give the discount percentages. Credits do not roll over from month to month… Read more →
Pros
- No partner code needed
- Three-year runway: credits then discounts
- Simple Linode-style pricing and products
Cons
- Needs some traction to qualify
- Year two and three discounts are not published
Pricing: Up to $120k in credits & perks · akamai linode cloud credits rise kubernetes
🔥 Deal: $500 to $120,000 in year-one Akamai Cloud credits, then discounted years two and three
7
European cloud credits from a €1,000 Founders voucher up to about €36,000 for growth-stage startups.
🎁 up to $41.5k · #17k web rank · ▼ 100 this week
6.5/10
What you get Scaleway, the French cloud provider, runs one application for several programs: - Founders Program: up to €1,000 in credits (about $1,150), a one-time voucher valid for 12 months, for an initial build or a migration. - Early Stage (pre-seed to seed): the page says €1,500 a month for 6 months, €9,000 in total (about $10,400). - Growth… Read more →
Pros
- No partner code needed
- EU-hosted infrastructure and GPUs
- Founders voucher for very early teams
Cons
- Headline and FAQ amounts do not match
- Monthly credit allowance, not a single pool
Pricing: Up to $41.5k in credits & perks · scaleway europe cloud credits gpu eu hosting
🔥 Deal: From a €1,000 Founders voucher up to €36,000 (Growth Stage) in Scaleway credits
8
Up to $120,000 in Alibaba Cloud credits and up to 2B free Model Studio tokens for AI-first startups.
🎁 up to $120k · #9.3k web rank · ▲ 178 this week
6.0/10
What you get Alibaba Cloud's startup offer is now the AI Catalyst Program, aimed at companies that use AI as their core technology. The page lists: - Up to $120,000 in cloud credits support. - Up to 2 billion free tokens on Model Studio (Alibaba's model platform, including Qwen models). - POC (proof-of-concept) coupons. - One-to-one office hours with Alibaba… Read more →
Pros
- Up to $120,000 in credits plus model tokens
- Strong presence in Asian regions
- No partner code needed
Cons
- AI-first startups only, at Alibaba's discretion
- Credit validity and exclusions vary
Pricing: Up to $120k in credits & perks · alibaba cloud ai credits qwen model studio asia
🔥 Deal: Up to $120,000 in Alibaba Cloud credits and up to 2B Model Studio tokens