AWS Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ramping up its support for early-stage artificial intelligence startups by offering up to $1 million in cloud credits to companies developing foundational AI tools and infrastructure.
The initiative is part of the third edition of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator programme, unveiled Tuesday.
Set to begin on October 13 at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters, the eight-week hybrid programme is designed to equip up to 40 selected startups with the technical, financial, and commercial resources needed to scale AI innovations globally.
AWS fuels foundational AI Innovation with $1 million credits
On Tuesday, Amazon Web Services (AWS) revealed that applications are open for its 2025 Generative AI Accelerator, which targets startups focused on building the underlying technologies for AI.
This global program will select up to 40 startups, providing each with as much as $1 million in AWS promotional credits. Beyond financial support, participants will gain access to mentorship, educational resources, and enterprise-grade technical expertise from AWS.
The accelerator is a hybrid program featuring in-person kickoff and closing weeks, with six weeks conducted virtually.
Jon Jones, Vice President and Global Head of Startups at AWS, emphasised the program’s refined focus for 2025.
“We are now at a stage where virtually all startups will be applying generative AI to their business in one shape or form,” Jones stated.
He added, “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 includes companies working on models, infrastructure tooling, fine-tuning applications, and agentic workflows.
Comprehensive support for emerging AI leaders
The AWS Generative AI Accelerator provides a comprehensive support package to foster growth and market readiness for selected startups.
Participants will learn from a curated network of experts from AWS and leading AI companies, receiving personalised guidance from go-to-market and technical mentors.
The program also offers access to AWS’s full AI tech stack, including services for model training and deployment.
Beyond technical and business guidance, startups will benefit from go-to-market support, including exposure opportunities at AWS re: Invent and through AWS Marketplace.The accelerator fosters a global community of innovators, facilitating cross-border collaboration and offering exclusive networking events with AWS executives, partners, and investors.
Applications for the 2025 cohort opened on June 10 and close on July 10, 2025. The program officially commences on October 13, 2025, at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, USA