Aethir Launches $100 Million Ecosystem Fund For AI And Gaming

According to Cointelegraph, Aethir, a decentralized GPU cloud computing provider, has announced the launch of a $100 million Aethir Ecosystem Fund aimed at accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming. The initiative includes the Aethir Catalyst program, which is designed to provide startups and enterprises with access to high-performance GPU resources. Over the next year, the fund will distribute 336 million ATH tokens, focusing equally on AI and gaming projects. Daniel Wang, CEO of Aethir, emphasized that the fund addresses the challenges startups and enterprises face in accessing high-performance GPU resources. He stated, 'By offering funding and access to critical compute resources, we are working to democratize this technology and enable companies to scale more effectively.' The Aethir Catalyst program forms the foundation of the fund, allocating $20 million to support over 100 projects through grants and subsidies. Mark Rydon, co-founder and chief security officer at Aethir, highlighted the importance of democratizing GPU access and reducing financial barriers for companies in these sectors. He noted, '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.' The 336 million ATH tokens will be distributed equally between AI and gaming projects to build strategic partnerships and support innovation across various fields. The fund’s distribution model aims to reduce 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. On June 25, Aethir partnered with MetaGravity, developers of the HyperScale Engine, to accelerate the development of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). This partnership aims 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, stated that the partnership’s goal was to unite 'a global network of underutilized resources.'