Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in North America in 2025
As artificial intelligence continues to advance and transform industries, startups in North America are seeking ways to innovate and grow. Grants represent a vital source of funding, offering non-dilutive financial support that does not require giving up equity. The following is a comprehensive list of the top 20 grants available for AI startups in North America in 2025.
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1. Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants
Description: This initiative supports small businesses with funding and mentorship focused on AI implementation.
Award Amount: $25,000 cash grant and an AI technology package valued at $10,000.
Eligibility: Businesses with annual revenues under $7.5 million and 75 or fewer employees, located in North America (excluding Quebec).
2. Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First
Description: A 10-week accelerator program for high-potential AI/ML-focused startups.
Award: Not a direct grant, but includes mentorship, resources, and potential investment opportunities.
Eligibility: Seed to Series A revenue-generating tech startups in the US and Canada with at least 5 employees.
3. National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR and STTR Programs
Description: Provides funding for innovative research and commercialization in high-tech sectors, including AI.
Award Amount: Varies.
Eligibility: Small businesses engaged in scientific research and development with commercialization potential.
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4. Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)
Description: A Canadian government program to assist small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in adopting AI technologies.
Award Amount: A total of $200 million allocated over five years through regional development agencies.
Eligibility: SMBs in Canada and non-profits supporting AI advancements.
Link: More about RAII
5. Google for Startups Accelerator: Cloud
Description: A 10-week accelerator that offers support to cloud-native tech startups, including those utilizing AI/ML.
Award: Provides resources, mentorship, and potential investment.
Eligibility: Revenue-generating startups with a minimum of 5 employees in North America.
6. Scale AI Acceleration Program
Description: Funding to accelerate the growth of AI startups and SMEs in Canada.
Award Amount: $20 million set aside to support these initiatives.
Eligibility: AI startups and SMEs located in Canada.
7. AI Compute Access Fund (Canada)
Description: A fund dedicated to supporting the acquisition of AI compute resources for Canadian innovators.
Award Amount: Up to $300 million available.
Eligibility: Innovators and businesses in Canada.
8. IBM for Startups
Description: An online program offering access to IBM technologies and resources.
Award: Access to IBM cloud infrastructure and AI tools like WatsonX, as well as technical support.
Eligibility: Startups interested in integrating AI solutions.
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9. NVIDIA Inception
Description: A global startup program focused on AI, data science, and high-performance computing.
Award: Access to GPU technology, deep learning tools, and connections to venture capitalists.
Eligibility: Startups in AI, data science, and high-performance computing sectors.
10. NEH Grants for AI Research Centers
Description: Grants aimed at establishing AI research centers focusing on multidisciplinary studies related to the humanities.
Award Amount: The University of Pennsylvania received a $200,000 grant, among others.
Eligibility: Institutions aiming to examine AI from a humanities perspective.
Link: View NEH Grants
11. Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
Description: Funds research and innovation in AI and other fields through collaborative initiatives.
Award Amount: Varies according to project needs.
Eligibility: Research institutions and startups engaged in advanced studies.
Link: Explore CIFAR Grants
12. Industry Canada Innovation Program
Description: Grants for businesses looking to advance innovative technology solutions in Canada.
Award Amount: Funding varies by project.
Eligibility: Canadian technology companies working on innovative solutions.
13. SBA 7(a) Loan Program
Description: A government-backed loan program that can support startups in acquiring capital for AI ventures.
Award Amount: Up to $5 million.
Eligibility: Must meet small business qualifications as defined by the SBA.
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14. Canadian Government’s Digital Supercluster Program
Description: Funding for collaborative projects that harness data and digital technology, including AI.
Award Amount: Varies depending on project scope.
Eligibility: Consortia of businesses and research organizations in Canada.
15. AI for Earth Program
Description: Microsoft initiative aimed at helping organizations use AI to tackle sustainability challenges.
Award Amount: Up to $300,000 in grants and resources.
Eligibility: Organizations leveraging AI for environmental purposes.
16. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grants
Description: Provides funding for research and development in energy-related AI technologies.
Award Amount: Varies by program.
Eligibility: U.S.-based research institutions and startups.
Link: Learn about DOE Grants
17. Angel Investors Network
Description: Access to networks facilitating funding for startups in AI technology.
Award Amount: Varies by investor.
Eligibility: Startups with a viable business model and technology plan.
Link: Discover Angel Investors
18. CIT GAP Funds
Description: Funding to ignitе innovation and technology in Virginia, focusing on seed and early-stage startups, including those in AI.
Award Amount: Varies based on funding needed.
Eligibility: Startups based in Virginia seeking early-stage funding.
19. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research Grants
Description: Targeted funding for startups focused on healthcare innovations using AI.
Award Amount: Up to $1.5 million.
Eligibility: Small businesses focused on healthcare and life sciences.
Link: Explore NIH SBIR Grants
20. National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
Description: Provides advisory services and funding to small to medium-sized businesses to support innovation and technology development.
Award Amount: Funding varies based on project needs.
Eligibility: Canadian SMBs engaged in technology and innovation.
Link: Learn about NRC-IRAP
This list serves as a solid starting point for AI startups seeking funding opportunities across North America in 2025. Be sure to review the specific requirements and deadlines associated with each grant to maximize your chances of success.
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FAQ
Q: What grant program supports small businesses with AI implementation?
A: The Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants provide funding, technology, and mentorship to small businesses focused on AI. Learn more about Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants.
Q: Is there an accelerator focused specifically on AI startups?
A: Yes, the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First is a 10-week program designed for high-potential AI/ML-focused tech startups. Discover more about Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: How does the National Science Foundation (NSF) support AI startups?
A: The NSF SBIR and STTR Programs offer funding to small businesses engaged in high-tech research and development, including AI innovation. Find out more about NSF Programs.
Q: What kind of funding does the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) provide?
A: The RAII has allocated $200 million over five years to help SMBs in Canada adopt and commercialize AI technologies. Learn more about RAII.
Q: Are there any grants available for cloud-native startups?
A: The Google for Startups Accelerator: Cloud supports revenue-generating startups leveraging cloud-native technologies, including AI/ML, through mentorship and resources. Explore the Accelerator Program.
Q: What funding opportunities exist for AI startups and SMEs in Canada?
A: The Scale AI Acceleration Program provides $20 million to accelerate growth in AI startups and SMEs across Canada. Read about Scale AI.
Q: How can Canadian innovators access compute resources for AI projects?
A: The AI Compute Access Fund offers up to $300 million to support the purchase of AI compute resources for Canadian innovators and businesses. Learn more about the Fund.
Q: What benefits does the IBM for Startups program provide?
A: The IBM for Startups program gives access to IBM cloud infrastructure and AI tools, along with technical support and mentorship for startups aiming to integrate AI. Discover IBM for Startups.
Q: How can startups in AI and data science benefit from NVIDIA's program?
A: The NVIDIA Inception program provides access to GPU technology, deep learning tools, and connections to venture capitalists for startups in AI and data science. Find out about NVIDIA Inception.
Q: Are there grants for establishing AI research centers in the humanities?
A: Yes, the NEH Grants for AI Research Centers supports institutions aiming to examine AI through a multidisciplinary lens, with grants such as $200,000 awarded to the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about NEH Grants.
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.
