Applications are open for the AWS Education Accelerator

As the education field continues to evolve, data-driven decision making is an essential strategy to transform teaching and learning practices and unlock new opportunities for student success. From personalized learning and student performance analysis, to resource allocation and school improvement planning, data-driven education has the potential to revolutionize the way we support educators and teach our students.

The US Department of Education Office of Educational Technology’s 2023 Dear Colleague letter states bold actions are necessary to truly recover and re-imagine education in this post-pandemic world. “For the field of education technology, it will require us to consider the ways in which technology can advance equity and protects students at the same time. Additionally, it will require innovative work of piloting, refining, and scaling technologies that make a meaningful impact on the holistic learning and development of students or the ‘whole learner.'”

For startups, this represents an opportunity to change the trajectory of education by facilitating the integration of data-driven decision-making into everyday teaching and learning activities. Through the thoughtful and equitable use of data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), EdTech startups can work hand in hand with their customers to solve some of education’s biggest challenges.

To help accelerate innovation in education, AWS has launched the new AWS Education Accelerator. This program is a 10-week immersive experience open to EdTech startups globally that want to accelerate their go-to-market in the United States in PK-12, higher education, and workforce education markets.

Tailored Benefits

The AWS Education Accelerator selects 15 EdTech startups harnessing the power of data, analytics and AI for participation in the inaugural cohort. Selected startups join a 10-week hybrid program between January 9, 2024 and March 14, 2024. An in-person event kicks off the accelerator on January 9-11, 2024 at Amazon’s Seattle Headquarters.

Participating startups receive a package of benefits, including up to $100,000 in AWS computing credits. They’ll also receive one:one business and technical mentorship which will cover topics such as funding, scaling, go-to-market support, AWS technical fundamentals, AI/ML adoption, and much more.

At the end of the ten weeks, the cohort participates in a virtual pitch event in collaboration with OMNIA Partners, an experienced cooperative purchasing organization dedicated to public sector procurement. Partnering with OMNIA Partners gives our EdTech startups increased visibility to education customers.

“We are thrilled to support the go-to-market acceleration of the most promising EdTech startups,” said Doug Looney, executive vice president public sector sales for OMNIA Partners. “Data-driven solutions are what our 86,000+ public sector institutions are asking for. We’re excited to collaborate with AWS on their demo day to showcase these innovative EdTech solutions to our customers.”

How to Apply

Applications for the AWS Education Accelerator are open through November 17, 2023, with limited space available. Startups are encouraged to review the terms and conditions and submit applications on the accelerator website.

Whether you’re an early-stage builder or seasoned entrepreneur, the AWS Education Accelerator provides a unique opportunity for EdTech founders globally to receive specialized mentorship, as well as resources and partnership opportunities to accelerate their go-to-market and reach new customers in the United States. Apply today.