TLDR: The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have named 23 innovative startups to the 2025 cohort of the Compute for Climate Fellowship. This global initiative provides funding, mentorship, and advanced cloud computing resources to help companies develop AI-powered solutions to address climate change. The selected startups will build proof-of-concepts in areas ranging from sustainable agriculture to carbon removal.
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), operating under the auspices of UNESCO, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), has officially announced the selection of 23 startups for the 2025 Compute for Climate Fellowship. This program is designed to accelerate the development of technologies aimed at tackling global environmental challenges.
The fellowship empowers startups by fully funding the creation of a proof-of-concept (PoC) that leverages advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Each selected company will receive significant support, including up to $200,000 in AWS credits, personalized technical support during a three-month build period, and expert guidance from mentors at both IRCAI and AWS. The startups retain full ownership of the intellectual property developed during the program.
Davor Orlic, Chief Operating Officer of IRCAI, commented on the initiative’s goals: “At IRCAI, we remain steadfast in our belief that the climate crisis demands bold, interdisciplinary solutions. With this year’s cohort, we’re deepening public-private partnerships that unite industry, government, and research to harness AI for climate action. Anchored in cutting-edge compute, rigorous R&D, and world-class talent, we’re excited to support startups driving real, scalable solutions with the power to make a transformative impact for our planet.”
The 2025 cohort features a diverse group of innovators from around the world. Among the selected companies are:
* 80 Acres Farm (US): A leader in vertical farming that uses proprietary technology to grow produce indoors without pesticides.
* Aionics (US): A developer of AI-driven materials discovery for advanced electrochemical systems, targeting aviation and mobility.
* Amini (Kenya): A startup focused on solving data scarcity in the Global South by transforming satellite and ground data into actionable intelligence.
* Anthrogen (US): A company developing large protein foundation models to aid in the discovery of novel proteins.
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The fellowship targets solutions across nine key climate areas, including Clean Energy, Low-Carbon Transportation, Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy, Carbon Removal, and a newly added category for Indigenous Solutions to the Climate Crisis. The program demonstrates a significant expansion from its previous cohorts, reflecting a growing commitment to fostering innovation in the climate tech sector.
