AWS India Private Limited has unveiled a new initiative in partnership with Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub to establish a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup hub program. This program aims to accelerate the development of generative AI solutions for public-centric initiatives through Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem.The program will facilitate collaboration between startups and industry to create public sector-focused solutions using generative AI.
It will target startups working in AI, generative AI, and deep-tech domains, with a focus on applications for government, healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors.iTNT Hub, established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Information Technology and Digital Services Department (IT&DS) of Tamil Nadu, is located at Anna University in Chennai.
It aims to create a deep tech innovation network in Tamil Nadu by leveraging the combined strengths of startups, innovators, academia, government, and industry leaders.
Key features of the program include:
- Support for startups at various stages of development, from pre-incorporated teams to mature startups.
- Mentorship for founders from over 570 engineering colleges affiliated with Anna University.
- Access to research opportunities, sectoral guidance, and funding avenues for startups in incubation.
AWS will provide eligible startups with up to $10,000 in AWS credits, allowing them to experiment with over 240 fully featured services, including innovative generative AI solutions like Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Q, and Amazon SageMaker.
The company will also explore onboarding startups to the AWS Partner Network (APN), subject to eligibility criteria. iTNT Hub will offer additional support through:
- Technical expertise and mentorship
- Guidance on business and funding fundamentals
- Industry connections to understand market opportunities
The program will feature webinars, technical workshops, masterclasses, industry connects, roadshows, hackathons, and customer engagements. A steering management committee comprising executives from AWS India and iTNT Hub will govern the program.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial environment for startups across Tamil Nadu, with a particular focus on empowering those in locations with limited access to resources. By leveraging AWS’s global technology leadership and iTNT Hub’s local expertise, the program seeks to foster innovation and growth in the generative AI space while addressing public sector needs.
