Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched the Generative AI Spotlight program to help early-stage startups in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) build their generative AI (GenAI) capabilities.
This 4-week program is targeted at pre-seed and seed stage startups across APJ who are ready and building MVPs and are also eligible for the AWS Activate Credits Program.
Startups can apply for the program by June 30, which will launch on July 8, 2024 through virtual and in-person sessions.
AWS Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) managing director Lianne van Veldhuizen said in a LinkedIn post that the program will involve 25 ANZ startups.
The program will “help founders understand and become adept at using AWS generative AI tools and services, [enable them to receive] “We need peer support from a community of experts and innovators across the region,” she said.
“Participants will also have access to AWS Activate and can receive up to $100,000 in AWS credits.”
The program is delivered in partnership with Australian innovation communities Stone & Chalk and Build Club.
AWS said program participants will receive mentorship from “top LLM producers, AWS engineers, and leading industry technical experts,” as well as “management, go-to-market, and technical advisors.”
They will also benefit from “exclusive networking and learning events with AWS executives, AWS partners, and top investors.”
The launch of the program comes after AWS announced last week that it would invest $230 million in AI startups around the world, which will form part of the company’s second wave of investments. 10-week Generative AI Accelerator program.
The program will provide participants with up to $1 million. Build, train, test, and launch your startup using AWS services and technologies.
“For 18 years, AWS has helped more startups build, launch and scale than any other cloud provider,” van Veldhuizen said.
“It’s no coincidence that 96% of AI/ML unicorns run on AWS. We are committed to helping the next generation of startups accelerate the development of new generative AI applications and bring their innovations to market faster.”
“We’re really excited about the possibility of the next Leonardo.Ai coming out of Australia and New Zealand!”
