AWS invites global startups to apply for AI accelerator with USD $1 million credits

AWS has opened applications for the third cohort of its global Generative AI Accelerator programme, which aims to support early-stage startups building foundational generative AI technologies.

Programme details

The eight-week accelerator is designed to provide up to 40 selected startups worldwide—ten of which will be from the Asia-Pacific and Japan region—with up to USD $1 million in AWS credits, technical guidance and mentorship, go-to-market support, and access to AWS's generative AI technology stack.

The focus for 2025 is on startups working on core generative AI technology, including model building, infrastructure, fine-tuning tools, and agentic workflows. AWS is seeking to support companies developing foundational elements that will underpin the next stage of AI advancements. Companies participating in the accelerator should have a functioning Minimum Viable Product (MVP), some customer traction, and a strong technical team; prior experience with AWS is not required.

Participants will benefit from a hybrid programme, comprising virtual sessions and an in-person launch at AWS's headquarters in Seattle. The programme concludes with a showcase at the end of the eight weeks.

Support for global inclusion

The 2025 cohort will be selected from across North America, Asia Pacific and Japan, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Startups building large language models, infrastructure tools, fine-tuning platforms, or foundational agents are especially encouraged to apply. AWS will also provide industry-specific mentoring, as well as support for companies operating at the infrastructure and application layers.

In the words of Jon Jones, Vice President and Global Head of Startups at AWS:

"We are now at a stage where virtually all startups will be applying generative AI to their business in one shape or form. That's why for this year's accelerator, we are honing our focus to support those startups developing the foundational technologies that will define what's possible with AI. This year's program is part of our continued commitment to accelerate generative AI innovation around the world by providing ground-breaking startups with the credits, mentorship, and visibility they need to scale with confidence."

Impact from previous cohorts

Since its launch, AWS reports over 100 startups have participated in the Generative AI Accelerator, reaching important milestones and contributing to industry transformation. Australian startup Leonardo.AI, which developed a set of generative AI tools for creators, reduced video and image production times significantly and reached more than seven million users. This growth led to its acquisition by Canva in July 2024.

Last year, four Australian startups—Contact Harald, Marqo, Relevance AI, and Splash Music—were selected for the programme. Their experiences underscore the value participants derive not only from technical enablement but also increased exposure and commercial support.

Sharing insights into the programme's influence, Tiffany Bloomquist, Head of Startups, Asia-Pacific & Japan, AWS, commented:

"Startups are at the forefront of generative AI innovation, and we're proud to support the bold founders who are redefining what's possible with AI. The third cohort of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator reflects our continued commitment to helping these builders scale generative AI innovation and bring real-world impact across industries. This program is more than just a launchpad for startups – it's also a powerful learning opportunity for us. These entrepreneurs keep us close to the pulse of innovation and inspire new ways we can harness the cloud and AI as a force for positive global change."

Participant experiences

Simon Kohl, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Latent Labs, which joined the 2024 cohort, said:

"At Latent Labs, we are building AI foundation models to make biology programmable and accelerate and improve drug discovery. The AWS Generative AI Accelerator offered us a unique blend of technical depth and commercial reach, which was instrumental in accelerating both our platform capabilities and our market adoption. AWS moves quickly to adapt to the fast-evolving generative AI landscape, not just with infrastructure and tooling, but with programs designed to help generative AI startups scale. As a founder, you gain access to an ecosystem that understands both the demands of building cutting-edge AI systems and the importance of aligning those systems with real-world customer needs."

Tracy Chan, Chief Executive Officer at Splash Music, shared the impact on their business:

"At Splash Music, we're reimagining how music is created and discovered, transforming it from a background activity into the interactive, expressive experience Gen Z consumers connect with. The AWS accelerator was a game-changer for us. It gave us early access to cutting-edge AWS tools like SageMaker HyperPod and Trainium, plus hands-on support to migrate our models from a previous provider, significantly accelerating our research velocity and model performance. Beyond the tech, AWS's support with go-to-market strategy, public exposure, and hiring world-class talent helped us hit milestones faster than planned. For any startup building, GAIA is a no-brainer."

Continued commitment

The 2025 AWS Generative AI Accelerator is intended to maintain the momentum of the previous cohorts, supporting startups developing core generative AI technologies and fostering a diverse international community of founders and technical teams.