AWS names 15 startups to the first cohort of its Education Accelerator

Amazon Web Services announced on January 9, 2024, the 15 edtech startups chosen for the first cohort of its AWS Education Accelerator, a global program that AWS said had drawn thousands of applications. Each startup was eligible for up to $100,000 in AWS computing credits, along with training, networking and visibility in the pre-K-12, higher education and workforce education markets.

Thirteen of the selected companies were based in the United States and two in London. The cohort included Augmental Learning, which builds an AI platform for personalized learning content; enlightenAI and Praxis AI, which offer AI tools for grading, feedback and tutoring; Quizard AI, a multilingual study app; and Oblio, which helps admissions offices send personalized multilingual emails. Others were Blackbullion, a financial skills platform; Perlego, a subscription library of academic textbooks; Hilight, Infini-D Learning, Lessonbee, Listening, OneRange, SchoolBI, Sown To Grow and The Juice.

The 10-week program began that week at Amazon's corporate offices in Seattle. According to Campus Technology, an AWS committee selected the startups based on the strength of their ideas, technical readiness, and an application and interview process. Support included workshops, individualized curricula, business and technical mentoring, and introductions to investors and customers. The program was set to finish with a virtual Emerging Technology Showcase led by OMNIA Partners, a Tennessee-based group purchasing organization.

GovTech reported that AWS had earlier sponsored similar accelerators for the government, defense, space and health care sectors, and that the education program aimed to help founders raise money, broaden partner networks and win new customers. AWS stated that its goal was for founders to finish ready to close new customer opportunities. Cohort members such as Sown To Grow, which gathers feedback on students' social, emotional and academic well-being, and Hilight, a tool for school staff to share daily wins, addressed student and staff well-being, while OneRange and SchoolBI offered data tools for school budgets and reporting.