AWS Launches $1 Million Generative AI Accelerator Program with Global Focus
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled the 2025 edition of its Generative AI Accelerator (GAIA), a global initiative aimed at supporting early-stage startups developing transformative generative AI technologies.
The eight-week hybrid program offers up to $1 million in cloud credits alongside technical mentorship, go-to-market support, and access to enterprise-grade AI infrastructure.
Applications opened on June 10 and close on July 10, 2025, with 40 startups set to be selected globally, including from Africa. The program will begin on October 13 at Amazon’s HQ1 in Seattle and conclude at AWS re:Invent in late 2025.
Now in its third cohort, GAIA is particularly focused on ventures building foundational AI models, tooling, and applications across sectors. Participating startups will gain access to AWS’s full AI stack, including services for model training, fine-tuning, and deployment.
“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,” Jon Jones, VP/ global head of startups at AWS, said in a statement.
Jones emphasized that while prior AWS usage isn’t required, startups with an existing Minimum Viable Product (MVP), early customer traction, and strong technical teams will be best positioned to benefit.
“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,” Jones said.
African startups stand to gain not only from financial support but from access to global markets and networks. AWS aims to diversify participation, with selections expected from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Past participants have lauded the program’s impact. Latent Labs CEO Simon Kohl credited GAIA with accelerating product development and market access.
“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,” Kohl stated.
Similarly, Splash Music’s Tracy Chan said early access to AWS tools helped the company fast-track its growth.
“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,” Chan stated.