Empowering Startups with DigitalOcean’s Revamped Hatch Program: A Game-Changer for AI/ML Innovators
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are at the forefront of technological advancement, startups often face the daunting challenge of managing high computing costs while trying to innovate and scale. Recognizing this need, DigitalOcean has transformed its Hatch program to provide burgeoning AI/ML businesses with the resources they need to thrive without financial burdens clouding their progress.
Hatch Program: A Lifeline for AI/ML Startups
DigitalOcean’s Hatch program is a global initiative aimed at nurturing startups by offering them computing credits and discounts. In a significant overhaul in 2024, the program began focusing on AI/ML startups, providing them with discounted access to GPU Droplets—an essential resource for running complex AI models—and complimentary premium support alongside credits.
Ex-Human’s Journey with Hatch
Ex-Human, a trailblazing startup supported by A16Z GAMES’ SPEEDRUN accelerator, is one of the companies benefiting from the Hatch program. Inspired by the AI characters in films like "Her" and "Blade Runner 2049," Artem Rodichev, the founder and CEO of Ex-Human, envisioned a future where digital humans could seamlessly integrate into our daily lives as friends, mentors, and more. His previous work at Replika highlighted the potential for humans to form deep emotional connections with AI, sparking the creation of Ex-Human.
Ex-Human aims to bring AI characters to life through various forms of media, including text, images, video, and audio, offering limitless scalability and customization. The startup’s technology has found practical applications such as collaborating with companies like Grindr to develop an AI-driven wingman, enhancing both digital and real-world interactions.
The Power of GPU Droplets
Building AI technology demands substantial computational power, which often comes at a prohibitive cost for startups. Ex-Human opted for the Hatch program due to its exclusive pricing for NVIDIA H100 GPU Droplets, available at $1.90 per GPU hour. This competitive pricing allows Ex-Human to utilize cutting-edge computational tools without compromising on performance or reliability, empowering them to deploy their AI models effectively.
Rodichev praised DigitalOcean’s intuitive and straightforward platform, highlighting its advantages over competitors like AWS and Google Cloud. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of DigitalOcean’s services enable startups like Ex-Human to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.
Unleashing AI/ML Potential with Hatch
GPU Droplets are a critical asset for AI/ML startups, facilitating the building, training, and scaling of workloads seamlessly. The Hatch program offers startups incredible benefits, including:
- Up to $100,000 in compute credits
- Three months of complimentary access to one NVIDIA H100x8 GPU Droplet
- Free premium support services
- GenAI usage supported by Hatch credits
It’s essential to note that GPU Droplet usage is not covered by Hatch compute credits, and the special pricing is exclusive to startups within the Hatch program, applicable only to on-demand NVIDIA H100 GPU Droplets. This pricing is accurate as of March 7, 2025, but is subject to change.
The Vision Behind Ex-Human
Artem Rodichev brings his expertise in AI/ML to steer Ex-Human’s vision and operations. Leading product development, he collaborates with a talented team that covers engineering, marketing, sales, investor relations, and more. Despite the challenges, Rodichev finds the journey immensely rewarding.
In his words, "My number one advice—don’t start a startup. [laughs] The number two advice—do it if that’s the only thing you can do. If you really want to change the world and create something no one else can, then go for it."
Why Hatch is a Game-Changer
The simplicity and reliability of DigitalOcean’s offerings allow founders like Rodichev to concentrate on innovation without the distraction of managing infrastructure. By providing a robust foundation, the Hatch program enables startups to expedite their development processes and focus on creating transformative technologies.
Join the Hatch Program
For startups looking to leverage these opportunities, the Hatch program offers a compelling proposition. To learn more or apply, visit do.co/hatch or reach out to the DigitalOcean team for inquiries at hatch@digitalocean.com.
DigitalOcean’s Hatch program is a beacon for AI/ML startups, delivering vital infrastructure discounts, premium support, and a collaborative community. By alleviating the financial and logistical burdens, Hatch enables founders to dedicate their energy to developing technologies that have the potential to revolutionize industries and change the world.
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