More than 80% of Australian startups are now using artificial intelligence (AI), according to new AWS research. That includes companies like Sydney-based Relevance AI, which is building autonomous AI teams for sales, research, and support. To fuel this momentum, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched AI Spring Australia, a major initiative aimed at helping local startups, enterprises, and industries build and scale their AI capabilities. Applications for the 2025 AWS Generative AI Accelerator open this June, as the company deepens its support across the Australian AI ecosystem. The move comes as the country positions itself as a global AI leader.
AWS Expands AI Support with New Programs
Amazon Web Services is ramping up its investment in Australian AI development with a new national program called AI Spring Australia. The initiative includes training, technical support, and funding across key sectors. Its aim is to help startups and large enterprises adopt generative AI tools faster and more effectively. One of its core offerings is the AWS Generative AI Accelerator, which supports early-stage companies with mentorship and up to US$1 million in AWS credits.
Five Australian startups joined this global program in 2024, including Relevance AI and Splash Music. Enterprises can also join AWS AI Launchpad, which helps companies move their generative AI projects from idea to production. “Our AI Spring initiative is designed to unlock economic opportunity across Australia,” said an AWS spokesperson. “We want to make AI adoption faster, safer, and more accessible for every business.”
Startups Drive Outcomes, But Barriers Remain
Startups like Relevance AI are proving what’s possible with early AI adoption. Their software enables teams of AI agents to complete routine tasks, reducing workloads across marketing, sales, and support. Other accelerator graduates, such as Leonardo AI and Marqo, have used AWS tools to speed up product development and scale globally. Yet challenges remain. While 81% of Australian startups now use AI, scaling solutions across industries still requires technical support, security, and clarity around business impact.
AWS says programs like AI Launchpad offer that missing structure. It pairs Amazon Web Services engineers with company teams to test and deploy AI models quickly. These efforts align with the Australian government’s National AI Capability Plan, released in December 2024. The plan encourages industry investment, productivity gains, and global AI leadership. According to Goldman Sachs, generative AI could add $15 billion a year to Australia’s economy by 2030.
AWS Pushes Innovation with Long-Term Investment
AWS’s AI Spring builds on its earlier promise to invest $13.2 billion into cloud infrastructure in Australia by 2027. That investment is expected to support 11,000 full-time jobs and contribute $35 billion to GDP. By combining digital infrastructure with targeted AI programs, Amazon Web Services is creating a nationwide platform for innovation.
The company’s support of both startups and enterprises reflects a broader trend: Australian businesses want to move quickly on AI but need the right partners. With trusted cloud tools, built-in security, and access to global expertise, AWS believes it can bridge the gap between ambition and execution.
AWS Backs Australia’s Next Generation of AI Innovators
With AI Spring Australia, AWS is taking a leading role in Australia’s AI journey. The company is investing not just in tools but in people, founders, engineers, and researchers working on the next generation of products. As startups build and scale AI-powered solutions, AWS is ensuring they have what they need to compete globally. With government, industry, and tech players aligned, Australia’s AI future is no longer just a vision, it’s a growing reality.
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