AWS has announced the launch of the new AWS Generative AI Spotlight program in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ). This is a four-week accelerator program to support early-stage startups in the region that are building generative AI applications.
In India, the company is partnering with the venture capital firm Accel for this program. Last year, the company and Accel launched ML Elevate 2023, a six-week accelerator that supported 35 generative AI startups in India.
The program will select up to 120 early-stage startups across the region, including 40 from India.
For example, with help from AWS, fintech start-up Fibe has improved customer support efficiency by 30%.
The participants will also have access to the company’s Activate program for startups. They can receive up to $100,000 in AWS credits.
The company’s Generative AI Spotlight program in APJ is collaborating with venture capital firms and organisations in key cities across the region.
Generative AI Accelerator
Additionally, the company has announced a $230 million commitment for generative AI startups to accelerate the creation of generative AI applications worldwide. This funding will provide early-stage companies with AWS credits, mentorship, and education to further their use of AI and ML technologies.
A major portion of the commitment will fund the second cohort of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator program. This 10-week program will provide hands-on expertise and up to one million dollars in AWS credits to each of the top 80 early-stage startups using generative AI to solve complex challenges.
The program will identify top startups in areas such as financial services, healthcare, media, entertainment, business, and climate change. Participants will receive sessions on ML performance enhancement, stack optimisation, and go-to-market strategies, along with business and technical mentorship based on their industry vertical.
AWS’s Support for Startups
Matt Wood, VP of AI products at the company, stated, “With this new effort, we will help startups launch and scale world-class businesses, providing the building blocks they need to unleash new AI applications that will impact all facets of how the world learns, connects, and does business.”
AWS has a long history of supporting startups, with 96% of all AI/ML unicorns running on its platform. The new commitment aims to further accelerate the growth of generative AI startups by providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship.
This is not the first time AWS has committed to helping startups, last month AWS collaborated with Shellkode, a cloud company, to train one lakh women developers in generative AI.
