The third cohort of Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) global program, AWS Generative AI Accelerator (GAIA), which promotes the development of essential technologies in generative artificial intelligence (AI) for early-stage entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications, the company announced on June 11.

Given the speed at which generative AI technology is emerging, AWS has concentrated this year’s program on helping companies create critical technologies—such as model building, infrastructure, fine-tuning tools, and agent-based workflows—that will drive the next wave of innovation. AWS credits up to $1 million (about 1.36 billion won), technical advice and coaching, assistance with market entry, and chances to use AWS’s generative AI technology stack will be given to chosen firms.

This year’s program, which will start on October 13 at Amazon’s Seattle, USA, headquarters, is anticipated to choose 40 promising businesses from around the globe. The deadline for applications is July 10; the final selection results will be revealed on September 24. The entrepreneurs chosen for this year’s cohort will represent AWS’s global inclusion values by coming from a variety of geographical areas, including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Japan, and Latin America. The initiative offers companies creating foundation models, infrastructure providers, and application layer innovators industry-specific mentoring and support.

Beginning with in-person workshops at the Seattle headquarters, GAIA is an 8-week hybrid curriculum that culminates at AWS re:Invent 2025 with a variety of online training events. Startups working on large language models (LLMs), infrastructure tooling, fine-tuning platforms, and core agent technologies are especially encouraged to participate, according to AWS. A minimal viable product (MVP), experience gaining a specific number of clients, and a team with strong technical skills are requirements for participating organizations. Although prior AWS expertise is not required, startups that are already using AWS can benefit from hands-on assistance with architecture design and market launch.

Almost all startups are now implementing generative AI in some form in their operations, according to John Jones, vice president of AWS and general manager of international startups. With an emphasis on assisting businesses creating the fundamental technologies of generative AI, this year’s accelerator program will offer crucial resources including credits, mentorship, and market exposure to enable them to grow with assurance.