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Top 25 Countries for AI Startups in South America in 2025

Top 25 Countries for AI Startups in South America in 2025

In 2025, South America is expected to be a burgeoning center for AI startups, with several countries leading the charge in innovation, funding, and infrastructure development. Below, we provide a detailed look into the top 25 countries in South America for AI startups, supported by the latest data and trends.
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1. Brazil

AI Index Ranking: Second in the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index (ILIA) in 2024, with 69.30 points, indicating strong overall preparedness in AI.
Startup Funding: Dominates startup funding in South America, securing nearly half of the region's total investments in 2024.
Fintech Leadership: Fintech startups are a major driver of funding and innovation.
Startup Ecosystem: Home to a large number of active startups (33,489 in 2023), with a well-established and diversified economy.
AI Talent: Significant investments in STEM education, producing a growing pool of AI talent.
Learn more about Brazil’s AI index ranking
Read about Brazil’s startup funding
Check the Crunchbase article on Brazil
Explore more on Brazil’s startup ecosystem
See the AI talent pool in Brazil

2. Chile

AI Index Ranking: Ranked first in the ILIA 2024, with 73.07 points, demonstrating leadership in AI readiness.
Pioneer Status: Considered an AI "pioneer" in South America, showing maturity in enabling factors, R&D, and governance.
Technological Infrastructure: Notable efforts in developing technological infrastructure to support AI.
Innovation Capacity: High scientific productivity and innovation capacity related to AI.
Government Support: Has programs like "Start-Up Chile" that aid in internationalizing local startups.
Learn more about Chile’s AI index ranking
Read about Start-Up Chile

3. Uruguay

AI Index Ranking: Third in the ILIA 2024, with 64.98 points, confirming its position as an AI leader in the region.
Pioneer Status: Along with Chile and Brazil, categorized as a "pioneer" in AI in South America, focusing on expanding AI technologies.
Governance: Demonstrates good governance in AI, along with enabling factors and R&D.
Learn more about Uruguay’s AI index ranking
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4. Argentina

AI Index Ranking: Classified as an "adopter" in the ILIA 2024, with 55.77 points, indicating a solid level of AI adoption.
Startup Funding: A significant recipient of startup funding in the region, following Brazil and Mexico.
Fintech Presence: Home to successful fintech startups, as seen with large funding rounds like Ualá's $300 million Series E.
Learn more about Argentina’s AI index ranking
Read about Argentina’s startup funding
Check the Greyjournal article on Latin American funding

5. Colombia

AI Index Ranking: Considered an "adopter" in the ILIA 2024, with 52.64 points.
AI Potential: Considered a country with high potential related to AI by business leaders in Latin America.
Growing Tech Ecosystem: Increasing investments and startup activity across various sectors.
STEM Education: Making investments in STEM fields, leading to a growing number of AI professionals.
Learn more about Colombia’s AI index ranking
Read about Colombia’s AI potential
Explore Colombia’s startup ecosystem
See the AI talent pool in Colombia

6. Peru

AI Index Ranking: An "adopter" in the ILIA 2024, with 48.73 points, highlighting gradual AI adoption.

7. Ecuador

AI Index Ranking: A "follower" in the ILIA 2024, with 44.60 points, showing emerging AI capabilities.

8. Paraguay

AI Index Ranking: Ranked as a "follower" in the ILIA 2024, with 41.82 points, indicating the beginning stages of AI implementation.

9. Bolivia

AI Index Ranking: Ranked as a "follower" in the ILIA 2024, with 38.54 points, displaying initial steps towards AI adoption.

10. Venezuela

AI Index Ranking: A "follower" in the ILIA 2024, with 36.45 points, reflecting early AI development.
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11. Guyana

AI Potential: Emerging as a potential player in AI due to recent investments in technology and infrastructure.

12. Suriname

AI Potential: Early stages of AI development with increasing interest from both private and public sectors.

13. French Guiana

Tech Ecosystem: Slowly building its tech ecosystem with initiatives focused on research and innovation.

14. Falkland Islands

Innovation Capacity: Small, but burgeoning focus on tech and innovation, including AI-related projects.

15. Trinidad and Tobago

Tech Initiatives: Growing focus on integrating AI into existing tech and business frameworks.
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16. Belize

AI Initiatives: Initiatives to incorporate AI into tourism and marine biology.

17. Barbados

Tech Community: Building a tech community with specific interests in AI and machine learning.

18. Uruguay River Free Zone

Tech Development: Dedicated zones for tech development including AI, benefiting from tax incentives.

19. St. Helena

Innovation Colony: Efforts to become a tech and innovation hub, including AI sector growth.

20. Antarctica Scientific Bases

Research Focus: Focus on utilizing AI for climate and ecological research.

21. Dominican Republic

Beginner’s AI Ecosystem: Initial stages of developing a framework to support AI startups.

22. El Salvador

Tech Funding: Increasing funding allocations for AI and tech startups.

23. Panama

AI Integration: Efforts to integrate AI into logistics and trade sectors.

24. Honduras

AI Growth Potential: Early growth potential in the AI sector, with educational programs supporting AI development.

25. Nicaragua

Interest in AI: Growing interest from both government and private sectors to develop AI capabilities.
This comprehensive guide illustrates the vibrancy and potential of South America's AI startup landscape in 2025. Each of these countries is making strides in AI technology and offers unique opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike. The dynamic nature of the AI sector ensures that this list will continue to evolve, reflecting the region's ongoing innovation and growth.
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FAQ

Q: Which country is considered the top destination for AI startups in South America in 2025?
A: Brazil is considered the top destination for AI startups in South America, with robust startup funding and a diversified economy. Learn more about Brazil's AI startups.
Q: Who ranks first in the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index in 2024?
A: Chile ranks first in the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index in 2024, demonstrating leadership in AI readiness. Discover Chile's AI leadership.
Q: Which country is known as a pioneer in AI in South America?
A: Uruguay is known as a pioneer in AI in South America, focusing on expanding AI technologies and good governance. Read more about Uruguay's AI initiatives.
Q: What is the role of fintech startups in Argentina's AI landscape?
A: Fintech startups in Argentina are major drivers of funding and innovation, with successful startups like Ualá raising significant investment rounds. Learn about fintech in Argentina.
Q: Which South American country has significant AI potential according to business leaders?
A: Colombia has significant AI potential in South America, with growing investments in STEM fields and a burgeoning tech ecosystem. Discover Colombia's AI potential.
Q: What is the role of government programs like "Start-Up Chile"?
A: Government programs like "Start-Up Chile" support local AI startups by aiding in their internationalization and providing necessary resources. Learn more about Start-Up Chile.
Q: How is Brazil's AI talent pool shaped?
A: Brazil's AI talent pool is shaped by significant investments in STEM education, contributing to a growing number of AI professionals. Explore Brazil's AI talent.
Q: Which country received the most startup funding in 2024 in Latin America?
A: Brazil received the most startup funding in 2024 in Latin America, securing nearly half of the region's total investments. Read about Brazil's funding success.
Q: What factors contribute to Chile's leading position in AI readiness?
A: Chile's leading position in AI readiness is attributed to its high scientific productivity, innovation capacity, and robust technological infrastructure. Learn more about Chile's AI advancements.
Q: Can you name a successful AI startup initiative in Colombia?
A: Colombia has increasing startup activity across various sectors, with growing investments and initiatives like Premios TIC, which promotes technology innovation and startup growth. Explore Colombian tech startup innovation.

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.
2025-06-11 16:00 Top 25