Amazon Web Service (AWS) has launched a new initiative in collaboration with UNESCO called the Computer for Climate Fellowship, which aims to support climate startups focused on cutting-edge science that require costly high-performance computing power. The fellowship funds entrepreneurs working in areas such as clean energy, low-carbon transportation, carbon removal, and sustainable agriculture and food. Recently, four startups were chosen as part of the first cohort and are currently working on creating their proof of concepts (POCs) using AWS technology and expertise in quantum computing, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Each of the four startups selected for the fellowship has been awarded credits to pay for the use of AWS cloud and other services, totaling about $1 million in costs. Realta Fusion, a company based in Madison, Wisconsin, is developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to decarbonize industrial heat and power. They are focusing on developing a first-of-a-kind plasma stability simulation, which is essential for fusion power plants. With access to interconnected CPUs and GPUs through AWS cloud, Realta Fusion can perform high-performance parallel computations quickly, speeding up their work significantly.
Coastal Carbon, another startup selected for the fellowship, is based in Canada and uses an AI-driven measurement platform to track and measure underwater vegetation growth and carbon sequestration using satellite imagery. Their POC aims to train satellite-agnostic foundation models of earth and sea to identify and quantify ocean blue carbon, which could increase ocean monitoring and data collection capacity by up to 1,000 times. Phytoform, a UK-based company, uses biotechnology, AI, and agriculture to develop crop genetics that create more climate-resilient plants. Their POC focuses on enhancing the accuracy of their plant genetics insights platform to evolve new crop characteristics for more climate-resilient plants. Xatoms, a water treatment startup, uses AI and quantum computing to discover molecules that can purify polluted water. Their POC aims to develop an AI algorithm capable of analyzing chemical data and simulating water-purifying molecules.
According to Kathryrn Van Nuys, global head of startups specialized segments at AWS, programs like the Computer for Climate Fellowship are crucial for identifying startups that are solving complex problems using the cloud. These initiatives help AWS expand its thinking on how to leverage the cloud as a force for positive change. By providing startups with access to high-performance computing resources, AWS is not only supporting innovation in the climate sector but also potentially opening up interest from new types of customers. The applications for a new cohort of the fellowship are open until May 17, with selected startups to receive POC support in 2024.
In conclusion, the Computer for Climate Fellowship by AWS and UNESCO is providing crucial support to climate startups focused on cutting-edge science by funding their proof of concepts and providing access to high-performance computing resources. The selected startups are working on innovative solutions in areas such as clean energy, carbon removal, and sustainable agriculture using technologies like AI, quantum computing, and machine learning. This initiative not only supports startups in addressing complex climate challenges but also broadens AWS’s impact in leveraging the cloud for positive change. With applications for the next cohort now open, more startups have the opportunity to receive support for their climate innovation projects.
