Top 15 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in South America in 2025
As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to grow and diversify in South America, various grant opportunities are emerging for early-stage startups in 2025. From government-backed programs to private foundations, these grants are designed to support innovative ideas and foster economic development across the region.
Here’s a detailed list of the Top 15 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in South America for 2025, including their amounts, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, funding types, and links for more information.
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1. Startup Chile
Description: A government-backed accelerator program designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Chile.
Grant Amount: Up to $80,000 USD in equity-free funding.
Eligibility: Entrepreneurs with innovative, scalable startup ideas; teams or solo founders committed to spending at least six months in Chile.
Funding Type: Equity-free funding.
Additional Data Points: Access to mentorship, networking, co-working spaces, and visa assistance.
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2. Tinker Foundation's Institutional Grants Program
Description: Provides project funding to organizations working to improve the lives of Latin Americans.
Grant Amount: Varies depending on the project.
Eligibility: Charitable organizations with US 501(c)(3) status or equivalent, and Latin American organizations without US status.
Funding Type: Typically grants for projects (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Program areas include Democratic Governance, Education, and Sustainable Resource Management. The application cycle opens mid-January 2025.
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3. U.S. Embassy Small Grants Programs
Description: Small grant programs offered by the U.S. Embassies in Argentina and Colombia.
Grant Amount: Up to $20,000 in Colombia; varies in Argentina.
Eligibility: Non-profit organizations, NGOs, individuals, educational institutions, and governmental organizations.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Application deadlines in Colombia: December 31, March 31, and May 31.
4. Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Description: The Embassy of Canada in Argentina's annual call for proposals.
Grant Amount: Varies.
Eligibility: Various organizations and individuals in Argentina.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Deadline is February 13, 2025, with a focus on community development, environment, and human rights.
5. OCEAN Partnership Grants
Description: Supports partnerships for marine environment and coastal communities in Colombia.
Grant Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: Designed for large scale partnerships delivering change to marine environments.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Deadline March 24, 2025.
6. Start-Up Chile Seed Program
Description: Funding for startups to cover program costs while providing support in Chile.
Grant Amount: Funding covers 90% of total program costs.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups.
Funding Type: Equity-free.
Additional Data Points: Startups must provide the remaining 10% of funding.
7. Biosecurity AI Research Fund Program
Description: Supports research into AI for biosecurity across different regions.
Grant Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: Focused on research related to AI and biosecurity.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Application Deadline: Jan 20, 2025.
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8. Media Grants for Marine Conservation
Description: Financial support for media coverage of marine conservation targets in Colombia and Argentina.
Grant Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: Open to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Deadline Feb 7, 2025.
9. Various Grants for Business Development and Startups
Description: Multiple grants for business development focusing on growth and expansion efforts.
Grant Amount: Ranges from $1,000 to $25,000.
Eligibility: Varies; may include startups and established small businesses.
Funding Type: Grants and other forms of mentorship and technology support.
Additional Data Points: Opportunities available through platforms like HerSuiteSpot and WomensNet.
Check out GrantWatch and other resources like LegalZoom
10. P4G Partnerships on Climate Solutions
Description: Funding for partnerships working on climate mitigation or adaptation solutions.
Grant Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: Partnerships focused on sustainability in food, energy, and water.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Application Deadline: March 7, 2025.
11. Innovation Fund for Sustainable Development
Description: Fund supporting innovative projects aimed at sustainable development in South America.
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000.
Eligibility: Startups in sectors such as renewable energy, conservation, and social enterprises.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Focus on projects with clear social impact and sustainability metrics.
12. Andean Development Corporation (CAF) Grants
Description: Financial support for projects that promote development in the Andean region.
Grant Amount: Varies by project; potential access to loans and grants.
Eligibility: Startups and projects in Andean countries.
Funding Type: Grants, in addition to loans.
Additional Data Points: Focus on innovation, social inclusion, and sustainability.
13. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Grants
Description: Funding for projects that foster economic growth and social inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Grant Amount: Varies by project.
Eligibility: Innovative projects with a focus on economic and social development.
Funding Type: Grants and loans.
Additional Data Points: Projects must align with IDB’s strategic priorities.
14. IDB Lab Grants
Description: Specifically targets innovations benefiting the most vulnerable communities in Latin America.
Grant Amount: Varies; potential for substantial funding.
Eligibility: Startups with solutions addressing social issues or enhancing economic inclusion.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Focus on technology-driven innovations and potential scalability.
15. Grassroots Grants Program
Description: Aimed at addressing local challenges through innovative solutions provided by grassroots organizations and startups.
Grant Amount: Up to $15,000.
Eligibility: Grassroots organizations in South America tackling social issues.
Funding Type: Grants (non-equity).
Additional Data Points: Emphasis on local impact and community engagement.
Important Notes:
- Verify details such as deadlines and eligibility criteria before applying.
- The competition for grants can be high, so ensure a well-prepared application that aligns with the funder’s mission.
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FAQ
Q: What is Startup Chile?
A: Startup Chile is a government-backed accelerator program that provides up to $80,000 USD in equity-free funding for early-stage startups in Chile. It focuses on innovative and scalable startup ideas. Learn more about Startup Chile.
Q: How much funding can I receive from the Tinker Foundation's Institutional Grants Program?
A: The Tinker Foundation offers varying amounts of funding based on the projects aimed at improving lives in Latin America. Organizations from Latin America do not need U.S. status to apply. Discover Tinker Foundation's grants.
Q: What is the U.S. Embassy Small Grants Program?
A: The U.S. Embassy Small Grants Program in Argentina and Colombia offers grants up to $20,000, focusing on education, cultural exchange, and technology initiatives. Visit the U.S. Embassy website for more details.
Q: What types of projects can be funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives?
A: This fund supports various organizations and individuals in Argentina with a focus on community development, environment, and human rights. Grant amounts vary. Learn more about the fund.
Q: Can I apply for the OCEAN Partnership Grants?
A: Yes, these grants support large-scale partnerships for marine environment and coastal community projects in Colombia, with an application deadline on March 24, 2025. Find out more about OCEAN Partnership Grants.
Q: What is the Biosecurity AI Research Fund Program?
A: This program supports research projects focused on AI for biosecurity, applicable across various regions, with an application deadline of January 20, 2025. Explore the Biosecurity AI Research Fund.
Q: Are there grants available for marine conservation media coverage?
A: Yes, media grants for covering marine conservation targets are available for newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries, with a deadline of February 7, 2025. Learn more about these media grants.
Q: What types of business development grants are available?
A: Various grants exist for business development, supporting startups and small businesses, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Check out potential business grants.
Q: How does the P4G Partnerships program support climate solutions?
A: P4G Partnerships provides funding to those working on climate mitigation or adaptation solutions regarding food, energy, and water projects, with an application deadline of March 7, 2025. Discover more about P4G Partnerships.
Q: Where can I find more information about startup grants?
A: For more comprehensive information about various grants for early-stage startups, resources like FundsforNGOs are highly informative and provide numerous options. Visit FundsforNGOs.
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.
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 and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
