US Ignite Startup Accelerator Program

Program Type: 8-week online accelerator program with final event

Geographic Scope: United States, with final event at AWS headquarters in Washington, DC

Focus Areas:
Startups should focus on smart city applications with emphasis on:

• AI/ML to enhance or streamline city services
• AR/VR for workforce development, first responders, and smart manufacturing
• Autonomous vehicles
• Cybersecurity for IoT and smart city infrastructure
• Public safety sensors and analytics
• Next-gen IoT sensors for energy and other utilities
• Real-time data analysis and visualization tools tailored for city and industry leaders

Award Details:

• Up to $10,000 in AWS credits for startup
• 8-week online Kauffman FastTrac program with certified instructor
• Opportunity to connect with AWS Mentors
• Opportunity to present at final event at AWS HQ in Washington DC
• Selected teams receive additional prizes

Eligibility:

• Early-stage startups
• Must have demonstrable product
• Ready to accelerate business and preparing to seek funding
• Products should significantly leverage cloud infrastructure
• Must have smart city focus on one of the specified areas

What They Fund:
Cloud-based services and businesses with smart city applications

Training Content (Kauffman FastTrac TechVenture):
The 8-week program covers:

• Exploring Entrepreneurship
• Defining the Target Market
• Conducting Market Research and Analysis
• Testing Your Business Concept
• Entering and Capturing the Market
• Planning for Financial Success
• Building and Compensating Your Organizational Team
• Protecting the Business and Your Intellectual Property
• Identifying Funding and Working with Investors
• Managing Cash and Operating your Business

Background:
The program combines training developed by the Kauffman Foundation through its FastTrac program with individual coaching from certified instructors, business leaders, and AWS professionals. The FastTrac courses have trained over 400,000 people in 18 countries, with 59% of participants going on to start or expand their businesses, employing an average of 4 full-time and 2 part-time positions.

Contact Information:

• Director of Technology: Scott Turnbull ([email protected])
• General inquiries: [email protected]
• Address: 1150 18th St NW Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036

Application Process

Current Status: Deadline for submission has currently passed. Watch the US Ignite website for announcements of future cohorts.

Past Application Timeline (2019 cohort):

• April 2019: Applications open to Smart Gigabit Communities (SGC) members
• May 2019: Applications open to the public
• May 31, 2019: Application deadline
• Mid-June 2019: Announcement of selected cohort
• July 10 - September 4, 2019: Training & mentoring
• Early September 2019: Recognition of completion at Amazon HQ in Washington, DC

Application Requirements:
Ideal applicants should:

1. Have an early-stage startup with demonstrable product
2. Be ready to accelerate business
3. Be preparing to seek funding
4. Have products that significantly leverage cloud infrastructure
5. Focus on smart city applications in specified areas (AI/ML, AR/VR, autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, public safety, IoT sensors, or data analytics)

How to Stay Informed:

• Watch US Ignite website for future cohort announcements
• Check the accelerator description page for program details
• Contact Scott Turnbull for inquiries about future opportunities