It's 2025, and AWS has made headlines by offering a groundbreaking tool that lets companies build foundation-class models without GPUs. This announcement comes via Nova Forge, a new addition to AWS’s Nova family of tools. For me, as a startup founder bootstrapping my ventures, this is the kind of development that sparks ideas, and relief. GPUs have become ridiculously expensive, and they’ve often been a barrier to smaller companies innovating in AI. Now, this appears to be shifting, and fast.
Nova Forge has drawn considerable attention not just for sidestepping GPUs but also because it enables businesses to design custom models that combine their proprietary data with curated AWS datasets. Today's tech entrepreneurs, especially women entering STEM fields through underdog platforms like my own F/MS Startup Game, know how labor-intensive and pricey this process can become. Let me unpack what this might mean for European entrepreneurs like myself, backed by a lifetime of experience bootstrapping solutions.
Breaking It Down: What is Nova Forge?
AWS Nova Forge simplifies the creation of highly specialized AI models by offering accessible, scalable tools. The service lets you integrate your proprietary datasets with AWS’s pre-trained Nova models, making the technology not only affordable but also tailored to the user’s exact needs. This innovation could drastically reduce overhead for startups and small businesses. And let’s not forget a key feature here: no GPUs. Instead, Nova Forge optimizes model-building by leveraging Amazon Bedrock's serverless backbone.
For reference, GPU costs can reach up to tens of thousands of euros, depending on the size and scope of your AI projects. Many businesses in Europe still struggle to raise enough funding to cover these kinds of expensive technical requirements, particularly women-led startups that statistically secure less equity capital.
Here’s a stat that validates the importance of affordability: according to a 2022 report by Atomico, just 1.1% of venture funding in Europe went to women-led ventures. Reducing costs by eliminating hardware investments can enable more women and smaller businesses to enter competitive markets.
Features That Matter to Entrepreneurs
What makes Nova Forge stand out from other model-building platforms on the market? Here are the highlights I find most compelling:
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Custom Model Creation (aka “Novellas”)
With Nova Forge, AWS gives companies the flexibility to create “Novellas,” which are distilled, optimized versions of its existing Nova models. Tweaking these to match niche industry needs saves time and effort. -
Access to Amazon-Curated Datasets
Having the ability to blend your own proprietary datasets with high-quality sets from Amazon? That’s like unlocking a secret vault of intelligence, not to mention a time-saver when building training models. -
Built-In Responsible AI Toolkit
Nova Forge includes strict ethical controls through safety guardrails. This aligns with Europe’s heightened focus on AI ethics (see the EU’s AI Act). As the demand for transparency in AI grows, I expect this toolkit will appeal strongly to European companies navigating regulatory waters. -
Push-Button Simplicity
You don’t have to be a technical wizard to use Nova Forge. Visual workflows and guided recipes make it accessible even for those with minimal AI expertise.
Practical Tips for Using Nova Forge
As a founder with a deep appreciation for streamlining steps, here’s how I’d recommend integrating Nova Forge if you're building your first AI model:
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Define Clear Business Goals
What’s the precise function of your AI model? Whether streamlining customer service or enhancing product recommendations, start with a focused goal. -
Leverage Amazon’s Datasets Strategically
Not all data is created equal. Use Nova Forge to selectively merge your datasets with Amazon-curated ones, maintaining relevance and avoiding data bloat. -
Start with Smaller Novellas
Begin by building smaller models that focus on solving one or two specific problems. This helps test effectiveness before scaling. -
Focus on Responsible AI from Day One
Skip the headache of regulatory fines later. Use Nova Forge’s safety tools to keep bias and inaccuracies out of your AI model. As we learned during our F/MS startup accelerator programs, compliance is always easier baked in from the start.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with Nova Forge’s streamlined interface, entrepreneurs should tread carefully. Here are some pitfalls to sidestep:
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Relying Entirely on Hosted Recipes
The provided recipes are great, but remember, every business problem is unique. Personalize wherever possible to stand out in your market. -
Skipping dataset reviews
Merging datasets can create unintended bias. Double-check for underserved demographics or areas where the system might perpetuate inaccuracies. -
Over-customizing
It’s easy to tweak your Novellas endlessly, but you risk wasting time chasing diminishing returns. Aim for a balance of completeness and efficiency.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
As a Dutch entrepreneur running a business with the mission of empowering more women to succeed in STEM, I see so much potential here. For startups, Nova Forge isn’t just about tech, it’s an opportunity for disruption. Women founders often bring unique insights to male-dominated industries like AI; this tool lets us put those insights to work without huge financial barriers.
The European startup ecosystem is growing, but systemic inequality remains a challenge. Ladies, let’s be clear: tools like Nova Forge are great, but their success depends on us, the entrepreneurs who leverage them strategically. We need to apply our knowledge of the market and lean into our creative problem-solving ability to build models that truly make waves.
Why It Matters to You
Nova Forge democratizes AI in a way that wasn’t previously possible. If you’ve ever paused on scaling your startup because of high GPU prices or bottlenecks around data customization, this launch might have removed your mental barriers, and financial ones.
In my own journey, I’ve learned that impact starts with the right mix of tools and mindset. For European entrepreneurs, and especially for us women creating in the STEM ecosystem, Nova Forge isn’t just a feature; it’s an open door. And this is only the beginning. The question is: are you ready to walk through it?
FAQ
1. What is AWS Nova Forge and how does it work?
AWS Nova Forge is a tool designed to let companies build custom foundation-class AI models without GPUs. It supports proprietary data integration with Amazon-curated datasets and provides responsible AI safety controls via Amazon Bedrock's serverless infrastructure. Read about Nova Forge on AWS's Nova Models page
2. What are “Novellas” in AWS Nova Forge?
"Novellas" are optimized, tailored versions of AWS’s Nova foundation models. Nova Forge allows businesses to create these for niche use cases, offering flexibility and reduced costs in model building. Learn about customizing Novellas with Nova Forge
3. How does Nova Forge eliminate the need for GPUs?
Nova Forge relies on serverless computing powered by Amazon Bedrock technology, which removes the dependency on expensive hardware like GPUs for building and training AI models. Discover AWS's Bedrock capabilities
4. What makes Nova Forge affordable for small startups?
By removing GPU requirements and offering pre-curated datasets, Nova Forge drastically reduces model-building costs, making AI innovation accessible to startups and underfunded ventures. Learn how Nova Forge reduces costs for businesses at VentureBeat
5. Can Nova Forge help meet European AI regulations?
Yes, Nova Forge includes built-in responsible AI toolkits to meet strict EU AI regulations, such as bias prevention and ethical safety measures. This aligns with the AI Act requirements. Read about responsible AI features in Nova Forge
6. How does Nova Forge integrate with proprietary and Amazon-curated datasets?
Users can seamlessly blend their data with curated datasets from Amazon during training by using an open training process, ensuring better performance without losing foundational abilities. Explore how datasets are merged in Nova Forge
7. What industries benefit most from Nova Forge’s Novellas?
Industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and finance stand to benefit by creating niche-specific models to improve customer service, analyze data, or personalize recommendations effectively. Explore Novella use cases on AWS
8. Is Nova Forge beginner-friendly for entrepreneurs with no AI background?
Yes, Nova Forge offers push-button workflows and guided recipes, making it accessible even for users with minimal technical knowledge. Learn about Nova Forge’s simplified workflows
9. Are there any real-world examples of businesses using Nova Forge?
Organizations like Booking.com and Sony are reportedly using Nova Forge to build custom AI models tailored to their business needs. Check out Nova Forge case studies
10. How does Nova Forge empower female entrepreneurs in STEM fields?
By eliminating high GPU costs and offering accessible tools, Nova Forge reduces entry barriers for women-led startups, promoting inclusivity in tech innovation. Read insights on empowering women with advanced AI tools
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
