Amazon Web Services Inc. announced Tuesday the launch of a new four-week business support program open to space startups called Space Accelerator designed to get these businesses off the ground.

The objective of the AWS Space Accelerator program is to provide comprehensive technical, business and mentoring resources to startups using AWS at early stages to help solve challenges in the space industry. Applications are open today and proposals are due by April 21.

“Startups provide a catalyst for bold new experimentation in the space industry,” said Clint Crosier, director of aerospace and satellite at AWS. “We look forward to helping the first cohort of companies launch and grow through this new program.”

AWS is offering this opportunity in collaboration with Seraphim Capital, an investment group focusing exclusively on the space industry, which will provide business development and investment guidance to startups.

Together, AWS and Seraphim will select the first group of startups to participate in the four-week program. AWS will provide AWS Cloud and technical training to help accelerate research, development and growth. Seraphim is credited with assisting dozens of emerging space companies around with world with its own space accelerator program.

AWS is already in use in many space applications, for example, Capella Space, a provider of on-demand observation data via synthetic aperture radar, a way to monitor landscape changes, uses it to run its entire information technology infrastructure.

The company uses AWS Ground Station, which makes it simple and cost-effective for Capella to digest and collate the data from its constellation of satellites using a fully managed network of antenna systems located around the world.

“AWS is building a world-class accelerator program for space startups tailored around the use of AWS services, and we are excited to work with them,” said Rob Desborough, a partner at Seraphim. “Combined with Seraphim’s unique domain expertise in space investment and acceleration, we hope to attract, select, and accelerate startups who will go on to address some of the world’s biggest challenges.”

After the initial application period, AWS and Seraphim will select 10 companies to participate in the four-week program taking place in June 2021.

Selected startups may receive up to $100,000 in AWS Activate credit, as well as mentoring from space technical subject matter experts with experience working with AWS customers. In addition, the program offers opportunities for collaboration with AWS customers and members of the AWS Partner Network seeking cutting-edge technology solutions to challenging space problems. The program will also provide networking to bring together interested venture investors for fundraising prospects.

AWS Space Accelerator applications are currently open and available to startups. AWS has also published further information about how the company supports customers and partners on its website.

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