5th Annual Amazon Web Services "Start-Up Challenge" begins

Amazon Web Services LLC (AWS) has announced the call for entries to the fifth annual AWS Start-Up Challenge, a contest to recognize innovative start-ups that are built on AWS's cloud computing platform. AWS has expanded the Start-Up Challenge worldwide and will choose a total of 15 regional semi-finalists from the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. From among the regional semi-finalists, global finalists will be chosen and awarded a package of $10,000 in AWS credits and a trip to attend the final round of judging and awards ceremony. The global grand prize winner will be awarded with $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in AWS credits, AWS premium support services for one year and technical mentorship from Amazon Web Services for one year, as well as a possible investment offer from Amazon. All eligible contestants will receive $25 in AWS service credits to kick-start the process of building their businesses on AWS. 

AWS enables start-ups to cost-effectively and quickly innovate and build the infrastructure required to run their businesses. Entries must be received no later than midnight US Pacific Time on October 2, 2011. Regional semi-finalists and global finalists will be announced in November. At the final AWS Start-Up Challenge event in November, finalists will present their businesses to a panel of AWS executives, venture capitalists and an audience of technology industry leaders. The final event will be streamed live worldwide.