SEATTLE – Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., in partnership with Meta, has announced the opening of applications for a new program aimed at supporting startups that are developing innovative AI solutions using Llama models. Applications will be accepted until August 8, 2025.
The initiative will select thirty promising U.S. startups to participate in a six-month program designed to facilitate the real-world adoption of Llama models by overcoming technical challenges and aiding faster development. The participating startups will receive up to $200,000 in AWS promotional credits, technical office hours with engineers from AWS and Meta, support from AWS’s Llama and generative AI experts, and access to a private Discord channel with Meta’s Llama team for technical assistance.
“Foundation models like Llama are fueling a new wave of AI applications that prioritize flexibility, transparency, and developer control,” said Jon Jones, VP & Global Head of Startups and Venture Capital at AWS. “This collaboration between AWS and Meta will empower founders to turn bold ideas into transformative products faster.”
Ash Jhaveri, VP of AI Partnerships at Meta, stated: “We developed Llama because we believe greater access to powerful models is essential for driving progress in AI.”
The program targets early-stage startups (Seed to Series B) based in the U.S., focusing on innovative AI applications utilizing Llama models. Applications will be evaluated based on the potential impact of their solutions and the technical proficiency of their teams.
Selected startups must join AWS Activate to benefit from the promotional credits offering. Notifications for selected participants will be sent by August 29, 2025.
Applications can be submitted online.
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