Backblaze: A Weapon for AI Startups

On February 23, 2026, cloud provider Backblaze announced the launch of the "Flamethrower" program, aimed at supporting startups in the field of artificial intelligence and heavy data operations.

The initiative hits the pain point of the AI industry — the cost of storing terabytes of training datasets. While hyperscalers (AWS, Azure) squeeze margins on egress traffic, independent providers like Backblaze build long-term loyalty by offering cheap object storage to startups, aiming to "hook" future tech unicorns early on.

Source: BusinessWire