AWS to launch AI agent marketplace with Anthropic as key partner

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is gearing up to launch an AI agent marketplace next week, with Anthropic as one of its key partners, according to an exclusive report by TechCrunch. The marketplace will debut at the AWS Summit in New York City on July 15, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the development.

What Are AI Agents?

AI agents are increasingly ubiquitous, though the term remains somewhat ambiguous. They are loosely defined as computer programs that can make decisions and perform tasks autonomously, often powered by AI models. Major players like OpenAI and Anthropic are promoting agents as the next big thing in tech, but distribution remains fragmented. AWS's marketplace aims to address this by providing a centralized platform for enterprises to browse, install, and manage AI agents.

How the Marketplace Works

The AWS marketplace will allow startups to offer their AI agents directly to AWS customers, creating a new revenue stream. Enterprises can search for agents tailored to their needs, similar to how SaaS products are marketed. AWS will take a small revenue cut from agent installations, but the potential for customer acquisition and revenue growth is significant.

Anthropic's Role

Anthropic, which already enjoys Amazon's financial backing, is reportedly in line for another multibillion-dollar investment. The company views AI agents as central to its future strategy, offering both in-house agents and tools for developers to build their own via its API. The AWS marketplace could significantly expand Anthropic's reach, potentially drawing customers away from rivals like OpenAI.

Competitive Landscape

AWS isn't the first to enter this space. Google Cloud launched an AI Agent Marketplace in April, followed by Microsoft's Agent Store in May. Enterprise software providers like and also have their own marketplaces. However, the success of these platforms for smaller startups and niche enterprises remains to be seen.