AI Accelerators in South America: 11 Programmes for AI Startups, Checked on Cash, Equity and Next Intake
South America has few accelerators that take only AI startups, but the strongest programmes in the region now fill their cohorts with AI teams, and two Google accelerators for the region focus on AI and machine learning. Before you apply, you need four answers: how much money the programme puts in, what it takes in return, where you have to be and when the next intake opens. We checked 11 accelerators and accelerator-style programmes for AI startups in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay and the Spanish-speaking countries of the region on their own websites on 8 November 2026. The 2025 version of this article listed 25 names, many with no terms and links to AI search results; programmes that closed, changed into investment funds or could not be verified are listed in a separate section.
Quick answer: for equity-free money, apply to Start-Up Chile (CLP 15 million to 75 million depending on stage; the BIG 13 call was set to close on 24 November 2026) or, in Uruguay, ANII (non-reimbursable grants of up to UYU 3 million). For a first investment, look at Platanus in Chile (USD 200,000 for 7%) or Antler Brazil (up to R$2 million). For AI-specific help without giving up equity, watch for the next Google for Startups Accelerator in Brazil or in Spanish-speaking Latin America, and for fintech or applied AI at pre-seed, Pygma takes applications for its PY10 cohort until 28 February.
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AI Accelerators in South America Compared
Sources: each programme's official website, checked 8 November 2026. "Not published" means the programme's own site does not state it. Terms change between cohorts, so read the official page before you apply.
Chile
1. Start-Up Chile (Santiago)
Start-Up Chile, run by Chile's development agency Corfo, calls itself the first public accelerator for startups and says more than 3,000 startups have gone through its programmes. All its funding is equity-free, and it runs three tracks. Build is a four-month pre-acceleration programme for early teams going from a validated idea to an MVP, with CLP 15 million; it takes two generations a year of up to 50 startups. Ignite is a four-month programme for startups under three years old with a working product, with CLP 30 million and a possible CLP 20 million extension. Growth is an eight-month programme for established companies that want to scale from Chile, with CLP 75 million (about USD 100,000, by its own estimate). Its Female Founder Factor raises the share of costs it finances, up to 90% in Ignite, for startups with women leaders. AI companies are well represented: its own showcase opens with NotCo, which uses AI to replace animal ingredients. Next intake: the BIG 13 call was set to close on 24 November 2026 at 13:00 (GMT-3). Best for: founders from anywhere who can move to Chile and want equity-free money.
2. Platanus (Santiago)
Platanus backs technical founding teams from Spanish-speaking Latin America. When a startup is accepted, it invests USD 200,000 for 7% on a post-money SAFE, on the same fixed terms for every company, and runs a three-month programme with founder mentoring sessions every two weeks, office hours and a Demo Day for investors from the region. It asks for a full-time team of two or three people, at least one of whom can build the product. Its portfolio of more than 90 startups includes AI companies such as Altur, Sento and comOS. Next intake: dates are not published; applications are taken on its site. Best for: technical AI teams that want a Y Combinator-style deal in Spanish.
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Brazil
3. Google for Startups Accelerator: Brazil
The Google for Startups Accelerator: Brazil is a ten-week, hybrid programme for Seed to Series A startups based in Brazil that are scaling an AI-driven business. It is equity-free: cohorts of 10 to 15 startups get mentoring from Google teams, technical project support, early access to Google AI products, Cloud TPU access and Google Cloud credits subject to eligibility. The 2026 cohort applied between 12 January and 1 March 2026 and started in May; it includes startups building AI agents, healthcare AI and legal tech from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro. Next intake: applications are closed; you can register interest for future programmes. Best for: Brazilian AI startups with traction and a CTO who can join every session.
4. Antler Brazil (São Paulo)
Antler runs a residency in São Paulo for founders at the idea, validation or traction stage, with two editions a year and applications always open. Teams that convince its investment committee get Antler's standard deal of up to R$2 million: R$1 million up front, as a R$500,000 convertible note for 8% equity plus R$500,000 through an uncapped convertible with an MFN clause and a 10% discount to the next round, and up to R$1 million more in matched co-investment during the first year. Founders also get almost US$1 million in credits and discounts, including from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Cloud and AWS. Best for: solo founders or early teams in Brazil who want co-founder matching and a large first cheque.
5. Cubo Itaú and its Cubo AI hub (São Paulo)
Cubo Itaú is a non-profit innovation hub in São Paulo, founded in 2015, that selects traction-stage startups and connects them with corporates, investors and partners. It is not a cohort accelerator and does not publish cash or equity terms. Its Cubo AI hub focuses on generative AI adoption, with a community of more than 700 entrepreneurs and startups, investor-round preparation, one-to-one mentoring with a solutions architect, hackathons and sandbox environments, and a responsible-AI group that works with Brazil's data protection law (LGPD). Best for: Brazilian AI startups that sell to large companies and want corporate pilots.
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Region-Wide Programmes for Spanish-Speaking South America
6. Google for Startups Accelerator: Spanish-speaking Latin America
The Google for Startups Accelerator: Spanish-speaking Latin America is a ten-week, hybrid, equity-free programme for Seed to Series A startups based in, or with a significant operation in, Spanish-speaking Latin America that build with AI, machine learning and cloud services. It offers the same Google support as the Brazil programme: mentoring, technical project partnership, early access to AI products and Cloud credits subject to eligibility. Google asks that both the CEO and the CTO join all programme sessions. Next intake: applications are closed; you can register interest for the next one. Best for: deeply technical AI startups from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and the rest of the region.
7. Pygma (LatAm-wide)
Pygma is an accelerator and first-check fund for fintech and applied AI founders in Latin America, at pre-seed and seed. Its cohort is six weeks of hands-on building with operators and investors, in a fintech or an applied AI track; it takes 1% program equity, and it invests a first check in the best teams. It lists more than $220,000 in perks, and up to $370,000 in credits, banking and tools for founders building in AI. Its founder hubs include Lima, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Bogotá, Quito and Santa Cruz. Next intake: early applications for PY10 are open, closing on 28 February, with the cohort starting in April 2027. Best for: pre-seed AI agents and AI-native financial services founders.
Peru
8. ProInnóvate and StartUp Perú
ProInnóvate, the innovation programme of Peru's Ministry of Production, runs StartUp Perú and other contests that give non-reimbursable funding to entrepreneurs and startups, with a 2026 contest calendar. In August 2026 it gave S/ 624,000 to ten startups from Cusco through its first regional contests, including Machupicchu AI and ConversIA Tours, as part of 19 contests worth more than S/ 14 million in seven regions. According to the ministry, it has invested more than S/ 66 million in a network of 38 incubators, 16 in Lima and 22 in the regions, and is building Peru's first national accreditation system for incubators and accelerators. In October 2026 it reported that three startups it supports had been selected for Start-Up Chile from about 1,300 applications. Best for: Peruvian AI startups that want equity-free money, ideally through one of the accredited incubators.
9. UTEC Ventures (Peru)
UTEC Ventures, based in Peru, has invested in first-time founders building technology companies in Peru and Latin America since 2014. Besides its accelerator, it runs Femlab, a nine-week incubation programme for women founders in Peru, student programmes, and helps startups apply to ProInnóvate's contests. Its accelerator terms are not published on the pages we could read. Best for: first-time Peruvian founders, including women founders through Femlab.
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Uruguay
10. ANII: Apoyo a Emprendimientos Innovadores
Uruguay's National Agency for Research and Innovation, ANII, funds the launch of innovative, high-impact young companies. It covers up to 80% of a project's cost, up to 90% when the venture is led by a woman or the project tackles climate change, with a maximum of UYU 3 million and up to 24 months; founders put in the rest in cash. The project needs at least one full-time founder and a solution validated with its market, and teams can apply with a sponsoring institution such as an incubator. ANII also co-invests in startups alongside venture funds and angel investors. Next intake: an open window while funds last. Best for: Uruguayan AI startups that want equity-free money for their first 24 months.
11. Ingenio (Uruguay)
Ingenio is a Uruguayan technology incubator and hub that runs incubation, acceleration and softlanding programmes for startups that want to grow in Latin America from Uruguay. It does not publish its investment terms on its homepage, so ask before you apply. Best for: Uruguayan tech teams, and foreign startups looking for a base in Uruguay, who want to pair Ingenio's support with ANII funding.
AI Accelerators From the 2025 List That Closed or Changed
The 2025 version of this article listed 25 programmes, most of them linked only to AI search results and described with phrases like "potentially including AI". Here is what we found on the official sites:
- Wayra (Telefónica): now Telefónica's corporate venture capital, investing €150K to €5M in AI, cybersecurity and connectivity startups. In South America it now works only in Brazil, with Vivo; it no longer lists hubs in Peru, Colombia, Argentina or Chile.
- NXTP Labs: now NXTP, a B2B venture capital firm with offices in Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Mexico City; its site shows funds, not an accelerator.
- 500 Startups (500 Global): its founder programmes are now the Flagship Accelerator for the US and global market and an accelerator in Alberta, Canada; it lists no Latin American programme.
- iNNpulsa Colombia: its ALDEA+ acceleration call for 100 Colombian startups, including AI companies, closed on 17 February 2026, and the call itself names the agency "iNNpulsa Colombia en liquidación" (in liquidation). Colombian AI founders can apply to the regional programmes above (Google, Platanus, Pygma).
- InovAtiva Brasil: Brazil's free public acceleration programme suspended its website during the 2026 election period (4 July to 25 October 2026), and the site still showed that notice when we checked, so we could not confirm its next cycle.
- The Yield Lab Latin America, Kalei Ventures, Magallanes and Alaya Capital: venture capital firms rather than accelerators. The Yield Lab Latam now describes itself as an agrifoodtech VC firm with offices in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
- Founder Institute, Seedstars, Techstars Anywhere and Vestbee: global programmes or platforms with no South America-specific AI accelerator. Founder Institute now calls itself an AI-native company builder; Seedstars runs an emerging-markets seed fund and a hub in Lima; Techstars has no accelerator in South America.
- Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI and Launchpad Accelerator: global or earlier Google programmes, not specific to South America; Google's current programmes for the region are the two accelerators above. The old "$500,000 to over $2 million" figure had no official source and was removed.
- ACE Startups and Apps.co: their websites did not load when we checked, so they were removed until they can be verified.
- Not South America: MassChallenge Mexico is in Mexico, which is part of North America (for that region, see our AI accelerators in North America), and Parallel18 is a Puerto Rico accelerator for Puerto Rican and international startups.
Which AI Accelerator in South America Should You Choose?
- You want money without giving up equity: Start-Up Chile (if you can be in Chile), ANII (Uruguay) or ProInnóvate (Peru).
- You want a first investment and a strong network: Platanus (USD 200,000 for 7%) or Antler Brazil (up to R$2 million).
- You have traction and need AI technical help: watch for the next Google for Startups Accelerator in Brazil or Spanish-speaking Latin America.
- You build AI for financial services or AI agents at pre-seed: Pygma's PY10 cohort.
- You sell AI to large Brazilian companies: Cubo Itaú and its Cubo AI hub.
- You are a woman founder: Start-Up Chile's Female Founder Factor, ANII's 90% rate for woman-led ventures and UTEC Ventures' Femlab.
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How Founders Use These Programmes
Most founders combine a programme with non-dilutive money. Start with our list of equity-free AI accelerators and our guide to deep tech grants in South America, then compare the global options in accelerators for AI startups, AI accelerators in Europe and deep tech accelerators.
If you are still choosing where to build, read our guides to AI startup cities in South America, edtech countries in South America and the best countries for AI startups, and see who is building locally in our lists of Buenos Aires startups, Lima startups and Mexico City startups.
When you are ready to raise after the programme, compare VCs for AI startups and angel investors for AI startups. Women founders should also read our list of accelerators for female entrepreneurs, and earlier-stage teams our list of accelerators for early-stage startups.
FAQ About AI Accelerators in South America
Which AI accelerators in South America are open in 2027?
When we checked in November 2026, Antler Brazil took applications all year, Pygma's PY10 cohort took applications until 28 February with a start in April 2027, ANII's support for innovative ventures in Uruguay was an open window, and Start-Up Chile's BIG 13 call was set to close on 24 November 2026. The two Google accelerators for the region were closed.
Which South American accelerators are equity-free?
Start-Up Chile, both Google for Startups Accelerators for the region, ANII in Uruguay and ProInnóvate's contests in Peru take no equity. Pygma takes 1% program equity, Platanus takes 7% for USD 200,000 and Antler takes 8% for its first R$500,000.
How much does Start-Up Chile give?
CLP 15 million in Build, CLP 30 million in Ignite with a possible CLP 20 million extension, and CLP 75 million (about USD 100,000) in Growth, all equity-free, according to its programme pages.
Is there an AI-only accelerator in South America?
Not many. The Google for Startups Accelerators for Brazil and for Spanish-speaking Latin America focus on AI and machine learning, Pygma has an applied AI track, and Cubo Itaú runs an AI hub. Most other programmes take all technology startups, with many AI teams.
Is there an AI accelerator in Argentina or Colombia?
We could not verify an active AI-only accelerator based in either country. Argentine and Colombian founders can apply to the Google Spanish-speaking Latin America accelerator, Platanus, Pygma (with hubs in Buenos Aires and Bogotá) or Start-Up Chile.
What happened to Wayra in Latin America?
Wayra is now Telefónica's corporate venture capital arm and lists Spain, Germany, the UK and Brazil as its markets, investing €150K to €5M in AI, cybersecurity and connectivity startups. It no longer lists accelerator hubs in Spanish-speaking South America.
Is Mexico in South America?
No. Mexico is in North America, so Mexican programmes such as MassChallenge Mexico belong with North America; see our list of AI accelerators in North America for that region. Parallel18 is in Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean.
Are there accelerators for women AI founders in South America?
Yes. Start-Up Chile's Female Founder Factor finances a larger share of costs for teams with women leaders, ANII covers up to 90% of costs for woman-led ventures in Uruguay, and UTEC Ventures runs Femlab, a nine-week incubation programme for women founders in Peru.
Where can I list my startup to get a backlink?
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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.
