Latest news with #MinimumViable
Techday NZ
2 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
AWS invites global startups to apply for AI accelerator with USD $1 million credits
AWS has opened applications for the third cohort of its global Generative AI Accelerator programme, which aims to support early-stage startups building foundational generative AI technologies. Programme details The eight-week accelerator is designed to provide up to 40 selected startups worldwide—ten of which will be from the Asia-Pacific and Japan region—with up to USD $1 million in AWS credits, technical guidance and mentorship, go-to-market support, and access to AWS's generative AI technology stack. The focus for 2025 is on startups working on core generative AI technology, including model building, infrastructure, fine-tuning tools, and agentic workflows. AWS is seeking to support companies developing foundational elements that will underpin the next stage of AI advancements. Companies participating in the accelerator should have a functioning Minimum Viable Product (MVP), some customer traction, and a strong technical team; prior experience with AWS is not required. Participants will benefit from a hybrid programme, comprising virtual sessions and an in-person launch at AWS's headquarters in Seattle. The programme concludes with a showcase at the end of the eight weeks. Support for global inclusion The 2025 cohort will be selected from across North America, Asia Pacific and Japan, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Startups building large language models, infrastructure tools, fine-tuning platforms, or foundational agents are especially encouraged to apply. AWS will also provide industry-specific mentoring, as well as support for companies operating at the infrastructure and application layers. In the words of Jon Jones, Vice President and Global Head of Startups at AWS: "We are now at a stage where virtually all startups will be applying generative AI to their business in one shape or form. That's why for this year's accelerator, we are honing our focus to support those startups developing the foundational technologies that will define what's possible with AI. This year's program is part of our continued commitment to accelerate generative AI innovation around the world by providing ground-breaking startups with the credits, mentorship, and visibility they need to scale with confidence." Impact from previous cohorts Since its launch, AWS reports over 100 startups have participated in the Generative AI Accelerator, reaching important milestones and contributing to industry transformation. Australian startup which developed a set of generative AI tools for creators, reduced video and image production times significantly and reached more than seven million users. This growth led to its acquisition by Canva in July 2024. Last year, four Australian startups—Contact Harald, Marqo, Relevance AI, and Splash Music—were selected for the programme. Their experiences underscore the value participants derive not only from technical enablement but also increased exposure and commercial support. Sharing insights into the programme's influence, Tiffany Bloomquist, Head of Startups, Asia-Pacific & Japan, AWS, commented: "Startups are at the forefront of generative AI innovation, and we're proud to support the bold founders who are redefining what's possible with AI. The third cohort of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator reflects our continued commitment to helping these builders scale generative AI innovation and bring real-world impact across industries. This program is more than just a launchpad for startups – it's also a powerful learning opportunity for us. These entrepreneurs keep us close to the pulse of innovation and inspire new ways we can harness the cloud and AI as a force for positive global change." Participant experiences Simon Kohl, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Latent Labs, which joined the 2024 cohort, said: "At Latent Labs, we are building AI foundation models to make biology programmable and accelerate and improve drug discovery. The AWS Generative AI Accelerator offered us a unique blend of technical depth and commercial reach, which was instrumental in accelerating both our platform capabilities and our market adoption. AWS moves quickly to adapt to the fast-evolving generative AI landscape, not just with infrastructure and tooling, but with programs designed to help generative AI startups scale. As a founder, you gain access to an ecosystem that understands both the demands of building cutting-edge AI systems and the importance of aligning those systems with real-world customer needs." Tracy Chan, Chief Executive Officer at Splash Music, shared the impact on their business: "At Splash Music, we're reimagining how music is created and discovered, transforming it from a background activity into the interactive, expressive experience Gen Z consumers connect with. The AWS accelerator was a game-changer for us. It gave us early access to cutting-edge AWS tools like SageMaker HyperPod and Trainium, plus hands-on support to migrate our models from a previous provider, significantly accelerating our research velocity and model performance. Beyond the tech, AWS's support with go-to-market strategy, public exposure, and hiring world-class talent helped us hit milestones faster than planned. For any startup building, GAIA is a no-brainer." Continued commitment The 2025 AWS Generative AI Accelerator is intended to maintain the momentum of the previous cohorts, supporting startups developing core generative AI technologies and fostering a diverse international community of founders and technical teams.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Anti-Ransomware Day: Building Cyber Resilience To Address Evolving Threats
One of the greatest challenges in combating ransomware is that, while new security tools and practices continue to emerge, threat actors are simultaneously advancing their tactics and becoming increasingly sophisticated. Ransomware and data theft extortion continue to be pervasive threats with business email compromise and fraud among the top self-reported cybercrimes for businesses and individuals in Australia in the 2024 financial year. Today on Anti-Ransomware Day, Commvault's Darren Thomson said: 'Ransomware attacks continue to escalate year after year, and cybercriminals are no longer just chasing payouts – they're hunting for headlines. Recent attacks targeting high-profile organisations and critical supply chains show a clear shift in strategy: aiming for maximum disruption and publicity by targeting the 'big fish'. Recent research found that on average, one cybercrime is reported every 6 minutes in Australia, with ransomware alone causing up to $3 billion in damages to the Australian economy every year. Yet, despite the rising threat, too many organisations remain underprepared. True cyber resilience means more than just defence, it also requires the ability to recover fast. This is where tools such as cleanroom environments come in. By restoring critical cloud services in a secure, isolated space and using automation to speed up recovery, companies can minimise downtime. While recovery takes 24 days on average, some organisations don't achieve business-as-usual for over 200, often due to poor preparation and a lack of understanding of their 'Minimum Viable Company' – the essential systems needed to stay operational. But resilience isn't just a concern for businesses. Individuals must also take responsibility for their cybersecurity. The recent tech outages in Spain and Portugal bring a harsh reminder of how reliant we are on digital systems. Consumers should start by evaluating their own Minimum Viable Company: Could you manage without internet access? Do you have a backup plan if payment terminals go down? 'Taking practical steps like using secure password managers, avoiding password reuse, and steering clear of public Wi-Fi without a VPN are essential. On Anti-Ransomware Day, it's time for both businesses and consumers to assess their cyber resilience.'
Associated Press
28-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Designli Introduces a Powerful Engine to Streamline App Development for Businesses
Software development company Designli proudly announces the launch of its Designli Engine - a revolutionary tool for fast-tracking app development to help businesses move from concept to market with minimal risk and maximum efficiency. Greenville, South Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Designli, a leading software development provider, is excited to announce the launch of Designli Engine - a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development solution. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The revolutionary tool accelerates app development, allowing for rapid MVP launches with built-in flexibility to scale and evolve. As a leader in app development, the agency crafted the Designli MVP experience around an agile methodology that combines prototyping, coding, learning, testing, and iterating, ensuring a dynamic and efficient path from concept to launch. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This process includes: Validating the app idea through an interactive prototype Gathering user feedback Optimizing resources by creating and launching an MVP The Designli Engine automates the creation of approximately 80% of a product's backend and codebase, including main functionalities. Hence, businesses launching their apps with Designli's methodology and strategic approach can accelerate their go-to-market strategy while allocating more time and budget to the features that differentiate their digital product. Key benefits for businesses include: Content management: Easily update the product with a built-in CMS Notifications: Keep users engaged with push notifications Tool Integration: Connect services like HubSpot or QuickBooks for seamless operations Access hub: Manage roles, securing logins, and personalized experiences Analytics: Monitor user activity and key metrics to optimize performance The remaining 20% of the development process is tailored to the client's vision and user needs, while businesses still fully own their intellectual property (IP). 'This means you can adapt, expand, and enhance your product whenever needed, without limitations. With off-the-shelf code, you're often just licensing without real ownership.' 'The Designli Engine changes that by rapidly generating custom code entirely yours, giving you complete IP control to switch teams or sell if you choose,' Designli CEO Keith Shields said. Contact the agency here to learn more about the revolutionary MVP tool or Designli services. About Designli: Designli is Southeast's leading custom software development company. It specializes in custom software development, mobile apps, and web applications built with cutting-edge technologies like React Native, React, Nest, and With the expertise to handle the most complex software solutions, Designli ensures a seamless, 5-star experience for every client.
