Aethir, a Singapore-based company specializing in decentralized GPU cloud computing, has announced a significant investment of $100 million aimed at fostering innovation in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming. This initiative will be facilitated through the Aethir Ecosystem Fund, which includes the Aethir Catalyst, a dedicated $20 million grant program backed by the Aethir Foundation.

Aethir Catalyst Launches $100M Investment Fund

Aethir Ecosystem Fund

The Aethir Ecosystem Fund is structured to support a variety of grant programs designed to accelerate the adoption of Aethir's compute platform. The initiative seeks to empower startups and enterprises within the AI and web3 gaming sectors by providing them with crucial computing resources. Aethir focuses on locating under-utilized graphics processing units (GPUs) across the industry and repurposing them for cloud-based computing applications, which is particularly beneficial for projects requiring extensive computational power.

As part of its efforts to enhance support for the tech ecosystem, Aethir has established the Aethir Catalyst as an independent grant program within the ecosystem. Over the next year, the program is set to distribute a total of 336 million ATH tokens, evenly allocated between AI and gaming projects. This strategic move aims to build partnerships with various compute buyers while providing significant support to early-stage startups.

Aethir Logo

Lowering Barriers and Empowering Innovators 

The Aethir Ecosystem Fund not only provides financial resources but also aims to drive innovation across the AI and gaming sectors. The program is expected to benefit over 100 projects through grants and subsidies. Companies seeking funding will be evaluated based on several criteria, including innovation, growth potential, computing needs and community impact.

Aethir's initiative aims to lower the barriers to accessing high-performance computing, which is often a critical factor for startups and enterprises. By addressing the need for affordable GPU resources, Aethir's program seeks to empower innovators to scale their projects more efficiently and competitively. Mark Rydon, Chief Strategy Officer at Aethir, emphasized the program's commitment to democratizing access to GPU computing.

“Aethir Catalyst represents a significant commitment to democratizing access to GPU computing for AI and gaming innovators. By allocating $20 million to this fund from Aethir Foundation’s $100 million ecosystem fund, we are ensuring that the most promising companies have the resources they need to thrive in these sectors and that the barriers to accessing compute power are reduced for everyone,” Rydon stated.

Aethir: Expanding Cloud-Native Smart TV Gaming

Other Benefits Through Aethir Catalyst

In addition to the grants provided through the Aethir Catalyst, the ecosystem fund includes a subsidy program offering up to 35% off-platform service costs. This feature is designed to ease the financial burdens for companies needing GPU computing, enabling developers from various backgrounds—ranging from bootstrapped startups to established enterprises—to access necessary resources without compromising growth.

Furthermore, Aethir is expanding its infrastructure through the launch of a new business line within its Edge network. This expansion aims to support more complex AI workloads and enhance the scalability of enterprise-level social media platforms. Beginning in November 2024, the Aethir Foundation will allocate up to 100 ATH per device, per day for Edge devices, ensuring substantial compute availability across the network through mid-2025.

Aethir: Expanding Cloud Gaming Enterprises

Final Thoughts

The Aethir Ecosystem Fund is expected to have far-reaching effects across the technology landscape, providing developers with the resources necessary to push technological boundaries. By supporting a diverse array of projects—from AI-integrated enterprises to cloud gaming initiatives—Aethir is fostering innovation to create more immersive digital experiences (through blockchain) and sophisticated AI solutions.

Developers, startups, and enterprises interested in benefiting from the Aethir Catalyst grants and subsidies are encouraged to apply, as these resources are crucial for scaling operations and bringing novel projects to market. More information is available here.

Source: GamesBeat