Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud services provider, has selected 24 Indian start-ups for its dedicated space technology accelerator program, AWS Space Accelerator: India. This 14-week program, launched in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in 2023, aims to provide technical expertise, specialized AWS training, and mentorship from space and technical domain experts.
The shortlisted start-ups are: AdvickAgventure, AERO2ASTRO, AeroinSpaceTech Pvt, Agnihotri Aerospace, AkashaLabdhi, BrahmaandcoSpacetech, Blurgs AI, CoralComp, Cosmicport, Cosmo Crawler, Expanse Cosmos, GISKernel Technologies, Inbound Aerospace, Insight360.ai, KosmosOne, Omspace Rocket and Exploration, Onnes Cryogenics, Pramatra Space, Satlabs Space Systems, Sisir Radar, Space Aura, SpanTrik, Taramandal, and ThrustworksDynetics.
These start-ups operate in various space segments, including spacecraft propulsion, orbital and launch vehicles, satellite imagery, geospatial applications, weather analysis, and space tourism, among others. Some of the shortlisted start-ups are working on a launch vehicle and sustainable satellite start-up from Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, an advanced geospatial analysis start-up from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and a satellite technology-based precision farming start-up from Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The selected start-ups will receive cumulative funding amounting to $100,000 in AWS credits and support to build and scale their solutions. They will also get the opportunity to learn how to leverage space data and build secure and scalable solutions using AWS technologies in areas like GenAI, machine learning, data analytics, and more.
The accelerator will also provide start-ups with knowledge on go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and business fundamentals, enabling them to succeed in the competitive space tech landscape. The program is supported by T-Hub, an innovation hub and ecosystem enabler, and Minfy, an AWS Premier Partner.
Clint Crosier, Director of the Aerospace and Satellite Business at AWS, commented on the program, stating, “This is the fourth consecutive year that AWS has run a Space Accelerator program, but the first one we’ve tied to one specific country. We specifically chose to hold this first country-focused space accelerator in India because we see extraordinary growth opportunities in the Indian space sector.” He further added that India has some of the best educated and proficient talent in the world in the technical areas that encompass space.
