As the climate crisis accelerates, one program is doubling down on innovation—and expanding its global footprint to empower the next generation of climate tech leaders. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a major expansion of its Compute for Climate Fellowship, a program aimed at helping early-stage startups build and scale cutting-edge solutions to reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and adapt to a changing planet. Originally launched with just eight companies and $1.5 million USD in funding in 2024, the 2025 iteration is scaling up dramatically: 20 companies from around the world will now be selected, with a total of $4 million USD in support, along with deep technical guidance and access to AWS’s high-performance computing stack.
“Startups are the lifeblood of innovation,” said Lisbeth Kaufman, Founder and Head of the Climate Tech Startups BD team at AWS. “And nowhere is that innovation more urgently needed than in the fight against climate change.”
Cloud Power Meets Climate Action
At its core, the Compute for Climate Fellowship helps startups accelerate their research and development efforts by providing access to AWS’s powerful infrastructure—everything from AI/ML and generative AI tools to high performance computing (HPC) environments. But the real value, founders say, lies in the hands-on support from AWS’s technical experts.
A lot of startups need more than funding—they need partners who can help them build,” Kaufman explained. “We’re helping startups move faster with confidence.” Startups selected for the fellowship are evaluated not just on the scale of the climate problem they’re addressing, but also on their innovative use of AI and cloud technologies.
Priority areas include clean energy, sustainable agriculture, low-carbon transportation, circular economy systems, and more. “We’re looking for startups that think big, that have the most innovative use of advanced cloud computing, and the biggest promise for global impact,” said Kaufman. Two standout Canadian startups exemplify the program’s potential:
- Hum.AI is pioneering the use of generative AI foundational models to monitor biodiversity and track ecosystem changes. The company is also collaborating closely with First Nations communities to co-develop nature-based solutions. “First Nations have been stewards of these ecosystems since time immemorial,” said Thomas Storwick, COO of Hum.ai. “They are often the most knowledgeable, most affected, and most effective partners in our coastal monitoring efforts.”
- Xatoms is using AI to discover new molecules capable of cheaply and effectively purifying polluted water—an urgent challenge in a warming world.
Indigenous Innovation at the Forefront
In 2025, the program embraces a transformative new direction—supporting Indigenous-led climate solutions. Recognizing that Indigenous communities often bear the brunt of climate impacts—while simultaneously holding generations of ecological knowledge—AWS is now actively seeking proposals from Indigenous innovators. “Including Indigenous voices is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential,” Kaufman emphasized. “These communities understand their ecosystems in ways that science is only beginning to grasp.”
The fellowship’s support for Indigenous tech innovators like Hum.AI marks a significant shift toward inclusive climate innovation and community-driven research. Kaufman’s message to early-stage founders is clear: dream big and build bold. She encourages applicants to focus on measurable global impact and to build technical teams that can leverage advanced cloud tools.
“The startup journey is in our DNA and has been a key part of our strategy since day one,” she said. “We don’t just support startups—we understand them.”
AWS is calling on ambitious climate tech builders from around the globe to apply. “The climate crisis demands urgency, and with the right tools and partners, startups can change the world,” said Kaufman.
