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Amazon hopes to jump start its AI coding tool Kiro by giving it away to startups
Amazon is offering its AI coding tool Kiro Pro+ for free to qualified early-stage startups to gain traction in a competitive space. The offer targets U.S.-based startups that have secured VC funding, excluding several regions due to geographic restrictions. Eligible startups can request credits for up to 100 users until December 31.
Key points
- Amazon's Kiro Pro+ aims to compete with established AI coding tools like Cursor and GitHub CoPilot.
- AWS CEO Matt Garman announced the offering at the re:Invent 2025 conference.
- Startups must have pre-seed to Series B VC funding to qualify.
- Eligible applicants can request free credits for up to 100 users.
- Geographic restrictions apply, excluding countries like France, Germany, and Italy.
Why it matters
- The move aligns with trends in 2025 encouraging enterprises to leverage AI for coding efficiency.
- Competitors in the AI coding space have been rapidly innovating and gaining adoption among developers.
- The initiative reflects Amazon's ongoing tactics to penetrate startup ecosystems, reminiscent of prior free software give-aways to increase market share.
By offering Kiro Pro+ for free, Amazon aims to capture the startup market and compete against established AI tools, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in the fast-evolving AI landscape.