In the previous year, Amazon Web Services introduced the APN Global Startup Program, functioning as AWS’s initiative to support more developed startups that heavily utilize AWS technologies. The company is now focused on broadening this initiative and revealed several program enhancements today during the Partner keynote at AWS re:Invent.

Although acceptance into the program involves a $2,500 fee for startups, AWS generally provides a reimbursement for this cost, according to Doug Yeum, leader of the Global Partner Organization at AWS – alongside a comprehensive suite of program advantages.

“The APN typically includes a $2,500 yearly program cost, however, startups admitted into the exclusive APN Global Startup Program receive a full refund of this fee, in addition to complimentary access to significant supplementary resources, encompassing both financial support and dedicated program partner managers and co-sell specialists,” Yeum communicated to TechCrunch.

These advantages are considerable, featuring enrollment in a new “white glove program” that connects them with a program manager possessing in-depth AWS expertise and a background in startup collaboration. Furthermore, participants gain access to an ISV program for enhanced engagement with vendors to boost sales, and data exchange services to facilitate the transfer of external data to the AWS cloud.

Additionally, they are eligible to apply for the newly launched AI/ML Acceleration program. AWS details this as, “Providing up to $5,000 in AWS credits to support experimentation with AWS services, allowing startups to investigate AWS AI/ML solutions with minimal risk.”

Lastly, they receive reduced costs for utilizing the AWS Marketplace, covering standard listing fees for their initial five offerings. Select participants will also benefit from access to AWS sales teams, leveraging the company’s extensive reach to accelerate their own sales growth.

While startups can submit applications for consideration, AWS also actively identifies and invites promising companies to join. “We also actively seek out mid to late-stage startups constructed on AWS that, based on market trends, demonstrate progress and present compelling applications for our shared enterprise clientele,” Yeum clarified.

Currently, the program includes companies such as HashiCorp, Logz.io, and Snapdocs. Startups interested in participating can find the application on the APN Global Startup website.