Aethir, a provider of decentralized graphic processing unit (GPU) cloud computing, announced the launch of the $100 million Aethir Ecosystem Fund to accelerate the innovation of artificial intelligence and gaming.

The initiative, which includes the Aethir Catalyst program, is designed to offer startups and enterprises access to high-performance GPU resources.

Over the next year, the fund will distribute 336 million ATH tokens, with an equal focus on AI and gaming projects.

Daniel Wang, CEO of Aethir, told Cointelegraph that the $100 million fund addresses the need startups and enterprises face when trying to access high-performance GPU resources.

“By offering funding and access to critical compute resources, we are working to democratize this technology and enable companies to scale more effectively.”

AI and gaming support

The Aethir Catalyst program is the foundation for the fund, allocating $20 million to support over 100 projects through grants and subsidies. 

According to Mark Rydon, co-founder and chief security officer at Aethir, the fund represents a crucial effort to democratize GPU access and reduce financial barriers faced by companies in these sectors.

“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.”

Fund distribution and criteria

The 336 million ATH tokens, distributed equally between AI and gaming projects, will be used to build strategic partnerships and support innovation across various fields.

The fund’s distribution model aims to reduce the computing costs for companies integrating AI, machine learning or high-traction gaming applications.

In addition to grants, the fund includes a subsidy program that covers up to 35% of off-platform GPU service costs, enabling companies to access high-performance computing without upfront costs.

Aethir partners with MetaGravity for scalable DePIN gaming

On June 25, Aethir partnered with MetaGravity, developers of HyperScale Engine, to accelerate the development of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs).

The partnership was established to improve the 3D internet and gaming industry through DePIN technology, creating a scalable infrastructure to simplify gaming development.

Dan Wang, co-founder and CEO of Aethir, told Cointelegraph that the partnership’s goal was to unite “a global network of underutilized resources.”

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