Aethir Launches $100M Fund for AI and Gaming Projects

Decentralized public infrastructure network (DePIN) firm Aethir is launching a $100 million Aethir Ecosystem Fund for gaming projects.

The fund will be supported by the Aethir Foundation, providing financial support to artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming sectors.

Through its grant programs, the fund is set to accelerate the adoption of Aethir’s decentralized compute platform, empowering both startups and established enterprises to scale their projects with ease.

Aethir said it has also launched Aethir Catalyst, a grant program within the ecosystem that will distribute 336,000,000 ATH tokens across the next year. These tokens will split equally between AI and gaming projects.

Aethir Launches Network on Ethereum Mainnet

In June, Aethir launched its cloud network on the Ethereum mainnet. DePINs are blockchain-based protocols used for creating and operating the physical hardware infrastructure of the network in a decentralized way.

Aethir’s cloud computing infrastructure platform allows data centres, and other cloud providers as well as crypto mining firms to contribute idle graphics processing unit (GPU) resources to its network.

$20M Aethir Catalyst Grant Program

At the heart of the new fund launch is the Aethir Catalyst, a $20 million independent grant program that will form the cornerstone of the Aethir Ecosystem Fund.

The funding will be used to support over 100 projects, offering financial aid through grants or subsidies to companies that rely heavily on GPU compute.

Aethir said it is positioning itself as a vital infrastructure provider, allowing developers to focus on innovation without being hindered by limited access to compute power.

The launch of the fund is relevant at a time when AI and gaming are becoming increasingly compute-intensive industries. By supporting early-stage startups and large-scale enterprises alike, Aethir aims to establish strategic partnerships that will drive the future of both industries.

Beyond the Catalyst program, Aethir’s Ecosystem Fund also includes two additional $10 million grant programs, in partnership with XAI and XPLA, designed to further accelerate advancements in AI and gaming.

“Aethir Catalyst represents a significant commitment to democratizing access to GPU compute for AI and gaming innovators,” said Mark Rydon, co-founder at Aethir.

“By allocating $20 million to this fund, we are ensuring that the most promising companies have the resources they need to thrive, reducing the barriers to compute power for all,” adds Rydon.