Deadline: 26-Aug-22
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is launching a one-of-a-kind program that gives more women founders the support they need to accelerate their startup businesses.
AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders is designed for US-based women founders who are the CEO and/or CTO of an innovative tech or tech-enabled startup. They’re talking pre-seed startups beyond ideation with a fully-developed MVP or launched product.
The AWS Impact Accelerator is a $30 million fund that provides Black, Latino, women, and LGBTQIA+ founders with equitable access to training, mentorship, tools, and resources.
Over the course of eight weeks, 25 startups accelerate growth by developing their ventures alongside AWS technology experts, investors, and partners. From customer discovery and retention to architectural deep dives and Amazon learnings, such as Working Backwards, founders participate in workshops, roundtable discussions, individual mentoring, peer learning, and inspirational leadership chats from executive leaders.
Benefits
- $225,000 for every qualifying startup in the program: They’ve increased your runway with a $125,000 cash grant and $100,000 in AWS Activate credits – all for zero equity in return.
- Turbocharged technology: Leverage the AWS tech stack, the same backbone powering innovative, industry-leading businesses around the world, to accelerate beyond what you were told was possible.
- Tailored training: Hands-on workshops, roundtable discussions, tech deep dives, and inspirational leadership chats. Benefit from curriculum tailored to your startup’s goals, specific technology, and business needs.
- Your extended team: Learn from experts behind some of the biggest tech unicorns in the world. Their all-star advisory support team includes executives, former founders, and leaders across AWS – all committed to your startup’s continued growth.
- AWS+Amazon: Benefit from the best of both companies. From Alexa, to Game Tech, to Fintech, eCommerce, Music, and others – no matter your technology or industry, they’ve got you covered!
- Join the community: Tap into their alumni and investor network for mentorship, industry insights, and best practices. Capitalize on connections and peer support that extend long after the program.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications open today for the first AWS Impact Accelerator for Black Founders, with the program kicking off in June for U.S.-based startups. The first AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders will take place in the second half of the year for U.S.-based startups. The AWS Impact Accelerator for LGBTQIA+ Founders and AWS Impact Accelerator for Latino Founders will follow in 2023.
Criteria
- Women-led: you must have one or more CEO co-founder(s) who, alone or in the aggregate, own a majority (over 51%) of the company and identify as a woman.
- Chief technology officer (CTO) in place: you should have your CTO or technical lead in place, and be sure to include all founders in your video submission.
- Based in the U.S.—your founder(s) and company must be U.S. based—international startups will not be considered at this time.
- Early funding stage: Your Company hasn’t raised more than $500,000 in institutional funds and is no more than five years old.
- Launched or fully developed product: To get the most from the program, founders need to be beyond the ideation stage: that means having a fully developed minimum viable product or launched product.
For more information, visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/aws-expands-30-million-impact-accelerator-fund-to-women-founders