Top 10 Grants for AI Startups in South America in 2025
The burgeoning AI startup ecosystem in South America is set for growth in 2025, bolstered by various grants and funding opportunities. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Grants for AI Startups in South America for 2025, outlining their specific criteria, focus areas, and support mechanisms available for aspirational entrepreneurs.
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1. Google.org Accelerator – Generative AI Open Call
Description: This program supports organizations using generative AI for social impact, providing invaluable resources and funding.
Funding Range: $500,000 to over $2 million.
Support Offered: Includes 6 months of structured support, pro bono assistance from Google employees, technical training, and Google Cloud credits.
Focus Areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Learning, Scientific Advancement, and Resilient Communities.
Eligibility: Open to nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions, and social enterprises.
Application Deadline: February 10, 2025.
2. Brazilian Government AI Investments
Description: The Brazilian government is investing heavily in AI through the "Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan" (PBIA).
Investment Amount: Aiming for $4 billion USD investment in AI programs by 2028.
Focus Areas: Targets combating inequalities, boosting environmental protection, education, and developing national AI centers.
Infrastructure Development: Enhancements to existing supercomputing resources and a national network of AI centers are in the works.
Goal: Position Brazil as a leading global player in AI innovation.
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3. USAID Data Enrichment and AI Labor Grants
Description: USAID aims to fund innovative research proposals focused on workforce conditions supporting AI in the Global South.
Focus: Examines workforce demographics, socio-economic conditions, and the impact of AI changes in employment.
Eligibility: Open to multidisciplinary research teams blending sociotechnical, ethnographic, and economic analyses.
Goal: Inform future programming and advocacy efforts for equitable working conditions.
4. Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Funding
Description: Aimed at researchers in Latin America, this microgrant program focuses on the impact of AI technologies in daily life.
Target Audience: Researchers and academics in the AI field.
Funding Type: Microgrant opportunities are available.
Note: Previous programs signal continuation into 2025.
5. Internet Society Foundation Sustainable Technical Communities Funding Program
Description: Funding support for projects aimed at building a sustainable Internet ecosystem, which can encompass AI initiatives.
Focus Areas: Projects focusing on internet access, digital inclusion, and technical capacity building.
Geographic Scope: Open to participant regions, including Latin America.
Type of Support: Financial backing for eligible projects.
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6. Microsoft AI for Accessibility Program
Description: This global initiative provides grants to AI projects designed to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Focus: Solutions targeting the use of AI for enhancing accessibility.
Type of Support: Grants available for qualifying projects.
Note: Open to startups in South America despite being a global initiative.
7. NVIDIA Inception Program
Description: A nurturing platform for AI startups providing technical support, resources, and networking opportunities.
Support Included: Access to NVIDIA hardware, software resources, and training provisions.
Focus: Catering specifically to AI and Data Science startups.
Note: Though not a grant, offers crucial support akin to funding.
8. OpenAI Grants Program
Description: OpenAI occasionally provides grants for projects aligned with their mission in AI.
Focus: Supports AI research and development projects.
Type of Support: Grants available for qualifying applicants.
Note: Check the OpenAI website for ongoing opportunities.
9. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants
Description: U.S. government SBIR grants that may encourage international collaboration with entities in South America.
Agencies: Includes NIH, NASA, and DoD.
Focus: Supporting innovation and research across various sectors.
Note: Collaboration potential with South American entities is encouraged.
10. AI Focused Venture Capital Investment
Description: While not technically a grant, there is a notable rise in interest from venture capitalists in AI startups within South America.
Investment Focus: Areas include AI, e-commerce, fintech, and health tech.
Key Players: Notable investors include HI Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures.
Note: Private investment is critical for the support of the AI ecosystem.
This list serves to highlight the diverse funding landscape available to AI startups in South America—their potential for fostering innovation and growth is immense.
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FAQ
Q: What kind of support does the Google.org Accelerator offer to AI startups?
A: The Google.org Accelerator provides structured support for up to 6 months, pro bono assistance from Google employees, technical training, and Google Cloud credits, alongside funding ranging from $500,000 to over $2 million. Learn more about the Google.org Accelerator.
Q: How much is the Brazilian government investing in AI, and what are the focus areas?
A: The Brazilian government is investing $4 billion in AI programs through 2028, with a focus on combating inequalities, boosting environmental protection, education, and the development of national AI centers. Discover details on the Brazilian AI investment.
Q: What is the USAID Data Enrichment and AI Labor Grant focused on?
A: This grant seeks innovative research proposals to explore workforce conditions supporting AI in the Global South, concentrating on data enrichment workers and equitable working conditions. Find out more about USAID's grant.
Q: Are there grant opportunities from the Pulitzer Center for AI researchers in Latin America?
A: Yes, the Pulitzer Center offers microgrants for researchers and academics working on projects concerning the impact of AI on daily lives in Latin America. Learn more about Pulitzer Center funding.
Q: What kind of projects does the Internet Society Foundation fund?
A: The Internet Society Foundation funds projects that build a more resilient and sustainable Internet ecosystem. AI projects focusing on digital inclusion and internet access may be applicable for funding. Explore the Internet Society Foundation funding program (appears as featured item).
Q: What is the Microsoft AI for Accessibility Program?
A: This global initiative provides grants to AI projects focused on accessibility solutions for people with disabilities, and South American startups are eligible to apply. Check out Microsoft AI for Accessibility.
Q: What does the NVIDIA Inception Program offer to AI startups?
A: The NVIDIA Inception Program supports AI startups by providing access to hardware, software, training resources, and networking opportunities to nurture their growth. Learn more about NVIDIA Inception.
Q: How does the OpenAI Grants Program work?
A: OpenAI occasionally provides grants to projects that align with their mission in AI research and development. Interested parties should check their website for the latest opportunities. Find more about OpenAI Grants.
Q: What are SBIR grants and how can they benefit South American startups?
A: SBIR grants from U.S. government agencies are available for innovative research and development, and there may be potential for collaboration with South American entities. These grants target various fields through agencies like NIH and NASA. Learn more about NIH SBIR Funding.
Q: Is there a venture capital investment interest in AI startups in South America?
A: Yes, there is growing interest from venture capital investors in South America focusing on AI, e-commerce, fintech, and health tech areas, providing crucial funding paths for AI startups. Discover more about the VC investment landscape.
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.
