Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded its free credit program for startups. These credits help startups cover the costs of using key AI models. In an interview with Reuters, the e-commerce giant noted that the move will also help expand market share for its AI platform Bedrock.
Amazon’s AI Plan for Startups To attract startup customers, Amazon has started allowing its cloud credits to cover the use of other providers’ models. This includes AI models such as Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, and Cohere. The company claimed to have provided more than $6 billion in credit to startups over the past 10 years.
The company partnered with Y Combinator in January to provide $500,000 in credits to its latest cohort that can be used on AI models and Amazon chips. This credit is useful because the cost of using AI (based on usage) can accumulate in .startups.
“This is an opportunity for us to give back to the startup ecosystem in exchange for our hope that startups continue to choose AWS as their first home,” said Howard Wright, vice president and global head of startups at AWS. It’s another gift to give.”
Wright also noted that Amazon’s free credits will help boost Anthropic’s revenue. This is also one of Bedrock’s most popular models.
Amazon’s Investment in Anthropic Amazon recently completed a $4 billion convertible debt investment in Anthropic. As part of the deal, Anthropic will use AWS as its primary cloud provider.
Mr Wright said: “This is part of building an ecosystem. We are unapologetic about it.” He also said that AWS offers startups a wide range of choice and security.
Other Cloud Providers Promoting AIA Besides Amazon, other major cloud providers are also offering free credits to attract AI startups. Microsoft Azure includes a new tab where you can issue credits and use them for models in OpenAI. Google’s cloud credits, on the other hand, can be applied to over 130 models on Vertex AI.
Big tech investments in AI startups are also under intense regulatory scrutiny. For example, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an investigation into Microsoft’s support for OpenAI and Google and Amazon’s investments in Anthropic.
Amazon’s AI Plan for Startups To attract startup customers, Amazon has started allowing its cloud credits to cover the use of other providers’ models. This includes AI models such as Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, and Cohere. The company claimed to have provided more than $6 billion in credit to startups over the past 10 years.
The company partnered with Y Combinator in January to provide $500,000 in credits to its latest cohort that can be used on AI models and Amazon chips. This credit is useful because the cost of using AI (based on usage) can accumulate in .startups.
“This is an opportunity for us to give back to the startup ecosystem in exchange for our hope that startups continue to choose AWS as their first home,” said Howard Wright, vice president and global head of startups at AWS. It’s another gift to give.”
Wright also noted that Amazon’s free credits will help boost Anthropic’s revenue. This is also one of Bedrock’s most popular models.
Amazon’s Investment in Anthropic Amazon recently completed a $4 billion convertible debt investment in Anthropic. As part of the deal, Anthropic will use AWS as its primary cloud provider.
Mr Wright said: “This is part of building an ecosystem. We are unapologetic about it.” He also said that AWS offers startups a wide range of choice and security.
Expanding
Other Cloud Providers Promoting AIA Besides Amazon, other major cloud providers are also offering free credits to attract AI startups. Microsoft Azure includes a new tab where you can issue credits and use them for models in OpenAI. Google’s cloud credits, on the other hand, can be applied to over 130 models on Vertex AI.
Big tech investments in AI startups are also under intense regulatory scrutiny. For example, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an investigation into Microsoft’s support for OpenAI and Google and Amazon’s investments in Anthropic.
