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2025-04-24 07:53 Top 10

Top 10 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in South America in 2025

Top 10 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in South America in 2025

South America is an emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and 2025 presents numerous funding opportunities for early-stage startups. From tech-driven enterprises to community-oriented ventures, these grants provide essential financial support and resources. Here is a detailed list of the Top 10 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in South America for 2025, including funding amounts, eligibility criteria, application processes, and more.
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1. IDB Lab Venture Capital Fund Investments

Organization: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab
Funding Amount: Varies; focuses on investments in VC funds.
Eligibility: Fund managers seeking equity financing for venture capital funds focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, with a requirement to invest at least 80% in LAC companies.
Application Process: Proposals should be submitted by November 22, 2024, for consideration in 2025.
Geographic Focus: Latin America and the Caribbean
Focus Area: Various sectors, primarily nascent/emerging ecosystems.
Learn more about IDB Lab Venture Capital Fund

2. Google.org Accelerator - Generative AI

Organization: Google.org
Funding Amount: $500,000 to over $2 million
Eligibility: Nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions, and social enterprises utilizing generative AI for social impact.
Application Process: Open from January 7 to February 10, 2025.
Geographic Focus: Worldwide, including South America.
Focus Area: Knowledge, Skills, and Learning; Scientific Advancement; Resilient Communities.
Apply for Google.org Accelerator
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3. Wayra (Telefónica Movistar)

Organization: Telefónica Movistar's Corporate Venture Capital
Funding Amount: Not specified; over €233 million invested in 1,100+ startups.
Eligibility: Startups aligning with Telefónica's focus areas.
Application Process: Not specified; ongoing through their open innovation platform.
Geographic Focus: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru (and Europe).
Focus Area: Various tech sectors relevant to Telefónica's business.
Explore Wayra

4. Mercado Libre Corporate Venture Capital Fund

Organization: Mercado Libre
Funding Amount: Not specified, invests in Series A and B rounds.
Eligibility: Tech companies focusing on democratizing commerce and financial services in Latin America.
Application Process: Not specified; operates through a corporate venture capital fund.
Geographic Focus: Latin America
Focus Area: E-commerce and Fintech
Find out about Mercado Libre Fund

5. ScaleUp Labs Accelerators

Organization: ScaleUp Labs
Funding Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: International technology startups aiming to expand into the US market.
Application Process: Applications for 2025 are currently open; check their website for details.
Geographic Focus: Latin America and Europe
Focus Area: Technology Startups, AI-first companies
Discover ScaleUp Labs
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6. Velocidad Fund

Organization: Velocidad
Funding Amount: Over $1.5 million in direct investments.
Eligibility: Independent digital news media outlets in Latin America.
Application Process: Not specified for 2025; previous selections based on sustainability and journalistic quality.
Geographic Focus: Latin America
Focus Area: Independent digital news media
Learn more about Velocidad Fund

7. German Accelerator South America Market Discovery Program

Organization: German Accelerator
Funding Amount: Not specified.
Eligibility: Startups seeking insights and business opportunities in South America.
Application Process: Not specified.
Geographic Focus: South America
Focus Area: Various industries.
Explore German Accelerator

8. Joy Grant for Women

Organization: Not specified
Funding Amount: $5,000 USD grant
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs running small businesses worldwide.
Application Process: Complete the online application form on the official webpage.
Geographic Focus: Worldwide, including Latin America.
Focus Area: Various sectors.
Learn about Joy Grant for Women

9. Inter-American Foundation's Community Development Grants Program

Organization: Inter-American Foundation (IAF)
Funding Amount: $25,000 to $400,000
Eligibility: Grassroots groups within Latin America and the Caribbean.
Application Process: Proposals should adhere to guidelines available on their website.
Geographic Focus: Latin America and the Caribbean
Focus Area: Community Development
Discover IAF Community Development Grants

10. Seed Grants (Various)

Organization: Various
Funding Amount: $2,500 to $600,000; varies by program.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups and projects, including specific sector-based awards like the Brace Award for oncology.
Application Process: Deadlines vary; some from January to April 2025.
Geographic Focus: Worldwide, including South America.
Focus Area: Multiple sectors.
Learn about Seed Grants
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FAQ

Q: What grants are available for early-stage startups in South America in 2025?
A: The article highlights a list of ten grants, including the IDB Lab Venture Capital Fund Investments which focuses on venture capital in Latin America. Learn more about IDB Lab.
Q: What is the funding range for the Google.org Accelerator?
A: The Google.org Accelerator provides funding ranging from $500,000 to over $2 million for social impact projects using generative AI. Discover more about the Google.org Accelerator.
Q: What organizations are involved with venture capital in Latin America?
A: Major organizations include Telefónica Movistar and Mercado Libre which have corporate venture capital funds supporting startups in various sectors. Explore Telefónica's initiative and Learn about Mercado Libre's funding.
Q: Are there specific grants for women entrepreneurs?
A: Yes, the Joy Grant for Women provides a $5,000 grant to women entrepreneurs running small businesses. Find more about the Joy Grant.
Q: How much funding does the Inter-American Foundation provide through its grants?
A: The Inter-American Foundation offers community development grants ranging from $25,000 to $400,000. Learn more about the Inter-American Foundation grants.
Q: What is the application process for the ScaleUp Labs program?
A: The application process for ScaleUp Labs is open for 2025, with details available on their website for international tech startups. Check ScaleUp Labs here.
Q: What type of startups can benefit from the Velocidad Fund?
A: The Velocidad Fund is aimed at independent digital news media outlets in Latin America, supporting their sustainability and journalistic quality. Read more about the Velocidad Fund.
Q: Can global startups apply for seed grants?
A: Yes, various seed grants are available for early-stage startups worldwide, with amounts ranging from $2,500 to $600,000. Learn more about seed grants.
Q: What sectors are emphasized in grants for early-stage startups?
A: Grants emphasize sectors like fintech, technology, e-commerce, and independent media, among others. The German Accelerator focuses on market discovery in multiple sectors for startups aiming to enter South America. Discover more about the German Accelerator.
Q: Are grant deadlines available for early-stage startups in 2025?
A: Yes, while specific deadlines may vary, many grants are starting to announce their application windows. It’s recommended to check individual grant links for the latest information on deadlines.

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.