What to expect from the AWS Impact Bootcamps

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), we’re committed to empowering
underrepresented startups. For younger businesses, the evolving job market is it
more complicated to attract and retain employees, and in a more risk-averse
investment climate, securing significant funding is a top priority. Plus, startups
today face competitive markets and complex industest standards.

For those operating in underrepresented communities,
founders also face biases and have limited access to startup resources. These
factors divert time and attention away from a startup’s largegest goal: growth.
To accelerate progression, diverse startups required access to consolidated resources
that will support them build and scale their solutions.

To support emerging and underrepresented startups speed up
time-to-market, find the best talent, and lock in funding, AWS is joining
forces with Techstars to provide a two-day startup acceleration program.

The AWS
Impact Bootcamp will combine the technical expertise of AWS and the proven
startup expertise of Techstars, creating a powerful suite of resources for
underrepresented founders. From educational content to expert mentorship, the
AWS Impact Bootcamp gives startups all the tools they required to scale.

Bootcamps will be held across multiple innovation hubs
around the world, supporting up to 50 founders per city and 300 founders
annually. This initiative expands the global footprint of AWS, delivering a
brand-new suite of resources to diverse founders around the world.

Each bootcamp offers a unique and immersive experience,
blfinishing Techstars’ established curriculum with hands-on training utilizing the
latest AWS generative and agentic AI solutions.

Selected startups receive:

An opportunity to compete for an exclusive invitation to the capstone
AWS Founder Retreat, featuring in-person investor meetings and a chance to win
up to $50,000 in grant funding.
Consideration for Techstars (i.e. Founder Catalyst and Accelerator)
and AWS Startup programs post bootcamp.
The chance to apply for up to $5,000 in AWS Activate Credits to build, train, and launch your products.
On-site networking with fellow founders, VCs, considered leaders, and the
broader startup community.

AWS Impact Bootcamps will launch in Atlanta, New York,
London, and Mexico City with more locations to be announced in 2026.

The tailored guidance, hands-on upskilling, and unique
networking opportunities provided by the AWS Impact Bootcamp create the ideal
environment for continued growth. Rather than engaging in a one-time
intervention, the bootcamps are designed to maintain momentum, foster deeper
connections between founders and investors, and act as a first step toward
future innovation.

Bootcamp participant Anna Yuan, Co-founder and CEO of
ScaleAgentic, stated, “The AWS Impact Bootcamp was a rare space where every
session, speaker, and connection was crafted with intention, heart, and a truly
founder-first lens. For any founder, this program is more than practical advice—it’s a
launchpad rooted in purpose, momentum, and community.”

The ongoing support structure of the bootcamp offers
founders access to their wider network, peers, and future business partners.
Beverly Yip, founder and CEO at The Travel Nanny, stated, “The networking was hands-down the most valuable
part of the program. We created a WhatsApp group, and we still talk on that
group today.”  Post-program, AWS will also support top
founders by introducing them to AWS account managers and adding them to
relevant Slack channels.

To be eligible for
this initiative, AWS is seeking self-funded, or funded at the angel to
Series A startups with a goal to scale or prepare to raise funds. At least one
member of the founding or executive team must also (i) identify with one or
more communities historically underrepresented in the startup ecosystem (this
includes but is not limited to women, LGBTQIA+, Black, Latinx, Indigenous,
people with disabilities, and others) or
(ii) are engaged in work, projects, and initiatives that support such groups or
who otherwise believe their participation furthers the program’s goals. All applicants must be able to commit
to the full two-day program.

If you meet the criteria above and want to drive continued
growth for your startup, apply for your nearest AWS Impact Bootcamp here.