Insider Brief:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited has unveiled the AWS Space Accelerator: India.
- The 14-week accelerator program targets both early-stage and mature startups based in India and will provide up to US$100,000 in AWS credits, along with guidance from experts at ISRO, IN-SPACe, and AWS, as well as support from T-Hub and Minfy
- The application deadline is March 17th, 2024.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited has unveiled the AWS Space Accelerator: India, aimed at fostering the growth of startups in the space technology sector. In collaboration with T-Hub and Minfy, this program is tailored to provide technical expertise, business guidance, and mentorship to startups focused on space technology, marking AWS’s inaugural accelerator program in India dedicated to the space industry.
The accelerator program is designed to address the challenges inherent in the space-tech sector, which demands substantial capital investment and access to skilled talent. By providing startups with up to US$100,000 in AWS credits, along with guidance from experts at ISRO, IN-SPACe, and AWS, as well as support from T-Hub and Minfy, the program aims to empower startups to innovate and develop sustainable solutions for the space sector.
Startups participating in the program will benefit from a range of resources, including insights into space domain technologies, guidance on leveraging space data, and support in building scalable solutions using cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning. Moreover, the potential application of generative artificial intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities for space-tech innovation.
The program underscores the diverse applications of space technology across sectors such as agriculture, aviation, climate change, disaster management, financial services, maritime, and wildlife and environment conservation. Startups are poised to play a pivotal role in developing impactful solutions in these areas, as highlighted in an AWS-commissioned report projecting significant productivity benefits in agriculture through cloud-enabled solutions.
Clint Crosier, Director of Aerospace and Satellite at AWS Inc., emphasized the pivotal role of cloud computing in propelling the future of the space industry. He highlighted how technologies like generative AI can unlock transformative opportunities for startups, enabling them to innovate while achieving cost efficiencies and scalability.
Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist, Public Sector, AWS India Private Limited, reiterated AWS’s commitment to nurturing space-tech innovation in India, in alignment with its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ISRO and IN-SPACe.
ISRO and IN-SPACe, in line with their respective mandates to foster innovation and boost India’s space economy, will extend support to the accelerator program, facilitating workshops and seminars to inspire budding startups and nurture the next generation of space technologists.
Applications for the AWS Space Accelerator: India program are now open, with startups evaluated based on the uniqueness of their solutions, product-market fit, value proposition, creative use of AWS technology, and team capabilities. The application deadline is March 17th, 2024.
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