AI Grants for Startups

The Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program supports AI-focused startups and global AI firms with comprehensive resources including up to $120,000 in lifetime cloud credits, 2 billion free Model Studio tokens for access to Alibaba's generative AI platform, 1:1 Office Hours with AI experts covering products, solutions, and infrastructure, POC coupons, and invitations to Alibaba Cloud events worldwide. The program is designed to help AI startups accelerate their growth with technical, educational, and networking resources. Applications are reviewed within 4-5 business days, and successful applicants are notified via email. The program provides access to Alibaba Cloud's GPU infrastructure including H100s in the Singapore region, making it particularly attractive for APAC-focused AI startups. The promotion period runs from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.

SBIR/STTR Program Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is sponsored by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA's SBIR/STTR program funds deep tech startups and small businesses for innovative research and development that aligns with NASA's mission needs. This includes areas like robotic actuation hardware for space environments, motion planning for lunar operations, and autonomous robotic software. The program supports high-impact, high-risk technologies that push innovation forward, including those related to AI.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - NSF SBIR is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR. This NSF SBIR topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust against sophisticated adversaries, privacy-preserving, and computationally efficient. Sub-topics include Computer Vision Based AI Technologies and Technologies for Trustworthy AI (safe, fair, transparent, privacy-preserving, explainable, and/or secure).

Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) Focused Open Topic – Army SBIR is sponsored by U.S. Army SBIR. This open topic aims to bring valuable small business innovations in AI/ML to the Army. It accepts both Phase I and Direct to Phase II submissions, focusing on synthetic data generation, data validation and verification, AI risk mitigation, and new ways of implementing and testing Large Language Models (LLM) or Radio Frequency (RF) signal detection models.

DevX Autonomy is an open-call solicitation from the U.S. Army Applications Laboratory seeking autonomous and unmanned system solutions, with AI-based perception, navigation, and multi-agent coordination for ground, air, and maritime platforms squarely in scope. The structure is what distinguishes it from a conventional BAA: rather than a single deadline, the call runs continuously from 30 December 2025 through 31 August 2026 with monthly collection periods closing at 12:00 noon Eastern on the final day of each month, and AAL commits to returning results within 30 days of each period closing. That 30-day turnaround is the real selling point for small teams, who can iterate submissions across months rather than waiting a year for a single decision. Seven submission categories are accepted: autonomous platforms across air, ground and sea; payloads covering sensors, communications and effectors; mission-enabling solutions such as human-system integration and mission planning; lethal capabilities; sustainment solutions including maintenance for autonomous fleets; subcomponents such as motors, sensors and controllers; and a deliberately open disruptive-innovation category for transformative autonomy technologies that do not fit the other six. Eligibility is unusually broad for a defense solicitation - large and small U.S. companies, traditional and nontraditional defense contractors, universities, nonprofits, research institutions, individual developers, and even foreign entities where export-control compliance permits. For embodied-AI startups without prior defense contracting history, this is one of the more accessible on-ramps into Army autonomy programs. Note that the current open period closes 31 August 2026; teams should confirm whether a successor call has been issued before building a submission.

The Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) DevX Autonomy program (W911NF-26-S-0040) is a continuously reviewed open call solicitation seeking innovative autonomous and unmanned systems (AUS) solutions for the U.S. Army. The program accepts submissions on a monthly basis with cutoffs on the last day of each month through August 31, 2026. Focus areas include autonomous platforms (ground, aerial, maritime), payloads, mission-enabling software and hardware, lethal and non-lethal capabilities, sustainment solutions, and subcomponents for unmanned systems. A distinctive feature is that submissions deemed award-ready can proceed directly to contracting without further competition. The submission format is streamlined: a 6-minute video pitch and structured form rather than traditional lengthy proposals. This program is particularly valuable for AI startups and robotics companies developing autonomous navigation, swarm intelligence, computer vision, or AI decision-making systems for unmanned platforms.

The ITU AI for Good Innovation Factory is the leading United Nations-based startup pitching and acceleration platform helping AI startups grow and scale their solutions to address global challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The program features monthly regional pitching sessions highlighting startups across regions and sectors leading to the AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva Switzerland in July 2026. Four winners are selected for their innovative and scalable AI-powered solutions with the top startup receiving a $20,000 grand cash prize. The program provides global pitching opportunities funding connections to investors expert mentorship exclusive networking with UN agencies and industry leaders and media exposure. Regional events are held worldwide including in Turkey Africa and other regions to identify top startups. This competition is open to ventures leveraging AI machine learning and advanced algorithms to address real-world issues in areas such as healthcare climate sustainability education agriculture disaster response and digital inclusion. This is distinct from the Google.org AI for Social Good awards which provide larger grants to established organizations and from the Technovation AI Ventures Accelerator which focuses specifically on young women.

European Innovation Council EIC Accelerator 2026 for Deep Tech AI Startups and SMEs is sponsored by European Commission (European Innovation Council). The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator is the EU's flagship blended-finance program for high-potential deep tech startups and SMEs, with 2026 cut-off dates on 7 January, 4 March, 6 May, 8 July, 2 September, and 4 November.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Topic is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This NSF SBIR topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient. This includes AI for medical professionals and smart/secure edge devices.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator is the EU's flagship blended-finance program for high-potential deep tech startups and SMEs, with 2026 cut-off dates on 7 January, 4 March, 6 May, 8 July, 2 September, and 4 November. The Accelerator funds breakthrough innovations at Technology Readiness Levels 6-8, with AI as one of the explicit Strategic Challenges of the program (alongside semiconductors, quantum, biotech, and cleantech). Funded AI companies have included generative AI startups, AI-enabled medical devices, robotics platforms, autonomous systems, and AI for industry. Each funded company receives up to EUR 2.5 million as a non-dilutive grant for innovation activities plus EUR 1-10 million as direct equity investment from the EIC Fund (optional). Total 2026 budget is EUR 634 million split into EUR 220 million for Strategic Challenges (which include AI and digital tech) and EUR 414 million for the Open call. Strong fit for European AI startups building deep-tech products with global market potential.

Startup SG Tech is Enterprise Singapore's flagship grant for early-stage deep-tech startups commercializing proprietary technology, including AI, robotics, agentic systems, and machine learning. Proof of Concept (POC) grants up to SGD 250,000 fund early R&D feasibility, while Proof of Value (POV) grants up to SGD 500,000 fund later-stage prototyping and validation with industry partners. AI startups using Singapore as a regional Asia-Pacific base can use Startup SG Tech to fund model development, vertical AI applications, agentic deployments, and integration with Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0 priorities.

Scaleway, the iliad Group cloud arm operating the Jean Zay-affiliated EU sovereign cloud, provides early-stage European AI startups up to EUR 36,000 in cloud credits. The program supports companies running NVIDIA H100 SXM clusters, AI managed inference endpoints, object storage, and serverless inference on European sovereign infrastructure. Members are also offered access to Scaleway AI clusters and onboarding to the iliad AI ecosystem (including Kyutai). Designed for pre-seed to Series A teams committed to building on European AI infrastructure.

DigitalOcean Hatch (formerly Startup Launchpad) provides AI and ML startups up to $100,000 in cloud credits and three months of free access to an 8x NVIDIA H100 GPU droplet for training and inference. The program targets pre-seed through Series A startups building on DigitalOcean infrastructure (including Paperspace by DigitalOcean) and includes technical support, mentorship, and ecosystem partnership benefits. Applications can be submitted directly or through partner incubators and accelerators worldwide.

The Solutions Marketplace is IARPA's attempt to remove the single biggest barrier between a small AI company and the intelligence community: the multi-month proposal burden required before anyone in government even sees what you built. Instead of a written proposal against a specific BAA topic, innovators submit a five-minute unclassified video pitch and basic supporting information through an online portal. Submissions are reviewed by subject matter experts drawn from the IC, industry and academia; those judged awardable are tagged by strategic focus area and made visible to authorized government users across the community, who can then pursue the technology through their own acquisition vehicles. The mechanics matter for planning: the call is open on a rolling basis from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, with assessments conducted monthly, so there is no single deadline to hit and a company can time a submission to when its capability is demonstrable rather than when a solicitation happens to open. Eligibility is deliberately wide - open to all U.S.-based companies traditional and nontraditional, large and small business, new entrants, universities, nonprofits and individuals - which makes it one of the lowest-friction federal entry points for an AI startup with no prior government past performance. The important caveat is what the Marketplace is not. It is not itself a grant or a funded award; being tagged awardable creates visibility and a rapid acquisition pathway, not money. Companies should treat a submission as business development into the IC with an unusually cheap cost of entry, and should be prepared for the follow-on contracting effort with whichever IC element expresses interest. Submissions go through iarpamarketplace.us, with program information at iarpa.gov/marketplace, and IARPA posted a corresponding solicitation notice on SAM.gov. Submitted material must be unclassified.

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) is a Government of Canada program delivering $200 million in AI funding through the country's regional development agencies. Under Budget 2024, PrairiesCan alone received $33.8 million over five years. The program supports two main streams: AI productization and commercialization for SMEs in the start-up and scale-up phases, and adoption of AI across priority sectors including agriculture, clean technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. RAII helps Canadian businesses enhance productivity, growth, and competitiveness by supporting AI integration into business operations and implementation of AI strategies. Applications are accepted on a continuous rolling basis through each regional agency until December 31, 2028, or until funding is fully committed. All funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2029. The initiative is delivered nationally through six regional development agencies: PrairiesCan (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), PacifiCan (British Columbia), Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

Canada Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for AI Commercialization and Adoption is sponsored by Government of Canada (Regional Development Agencies including PrairiesCan, PacifiCan, CED, FedDev Ontario, ACOA, CanNor). The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) is a Government of Canada program delivering $200 million in AI funding through the country's regional development agencies. Under Budget 2024, PrairiesCan alone received $33.

NJ AI Hub Fund is sponsored by New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) in partnership with CoreWeave. This fund supports early-stage AI startups connected to the NJ AI Hub Strategic Innovation Center at Princeton University. The initiative aims to provide access to capital, mentorship, and business support to help these companies grow in New Jersey.

AI Innovation Grant for Small Business is sponsored by Lenovo Evolve Small. Lenovo Evolve Small offers a grant to small businesses, including a cash award and a customized AI technology package, along with mentorship opportunities. The program aims to provide tools and resources to help small businesses thrive in the age of AI.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) (NSF SBIR/STTR) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and computationally efficient. Sub-topics include cognitive science-based technologies, computer vision, conversational AI, language-based AI technologies, novel AI hardware, sustainable AI for low-resource environments, and trustworthy AI.

The UK Sovereign AI Fund makes direct equity investments in British AI startups from pre-seed to growth stage, backed by a £500 million total fund. Beyond capital, selected companies receive access to the UK's largest AI supercomputers (up to 1 million GPU-hours each), fast-tracked visa sponsorship for global AI talent, curated national datasets, and grants through a strategic-assets program. Priority sectors are compute and infrastructure, novel model architectures, AI in health and life sciences, scientific discovery, and trust, safety and assurance.

PacifiCan, the Government of Canada's economic development agency for British Columbia, offers the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to support projects that use AI to improve human health, environmental health, and economic resilience across various sectors. Businesses can receive up to CAD $3 million (approximately USD $2.2 million) per project, while not-for-profit organizations can receive up to CAD $5 million (approximately USD $3.65 million) per project. The program supports AI commercialization, AI adoption in key sectors, advancement of BC's AI ecosystem, and projects that generate revenue and create high-quality jobs. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

The OVHcloud Startup Program provides European and international AI startups with up to EUR 100,000 in free cloud credits on Europe's leading sovereign cloud infrastructure. The program specifically offers access to NVIDIA A100 and L40S GPU instances hosted entirely within EU data centers, making it uniquely valuable for AI companies that need GDPR-compliant compute resources not subject to the U.S. CLOUD Act. OVHcloud implements technical and organizational measures to protect data hosted by EU-based customers against interference from authorities outside the European Union. Beyond credits, participants receive one-on-one support from a regional manager, personalized technical guidance for architecture and scaling, and access to OVHcloud's partner ecosystem. Critically, OVHcloud takes no equity in exchange for the credits — a significant differentiator from some accelerator-style compute programs. The program supports AI training, inference, generative AI workloads, and 3D rendering with Ada Lovelace GPU performance. This is one of the few large-scale GPU credit programs specifically designed for data sovereignty compliance.

The AI2 Incubator is the Allen Institute for AI's start-up accelerator that co-founds applied AI companies with founders building product-focused AI businesses on top of state-of-the-art research. The program provides up to $600,000 in seed capital, approximately $1 million in cloud compute credits, deep engineering and ML scientist support, founder coaching, fundraising guidance, and access to Ai2's research portfolio. Selected teams spend 4-18 months working alongside AI2 scientists in Seattle to validate technical risks and move toward product-market fit. The incubator co-founds about 15 applied AI startups per year across verticals including generative AI applications, vertical SaaS, developer tools, science and biotech AI, and enterprise AI. Equity is taken; this is structured as co-founding rather than a traditional grant, but the cash and compute support are substantially non-dilutive in spirit (very high equity given to founders relative to typical seed investments).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and computationally efficient.

AI Training Pilot Program for New York State Workforce (2026) is sponsored by State of New York. New York State is expanding artificial intelligence education and training to state employees to equip them with skills to harness emerging AI technologies for the public good. This pilot program is part of a broader initiative to ensure equitable growth of the AI industry in New York, including training students for AI-enabled jobs, funding NY AI startups, and supporting small businesses with AI adoption.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grant is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR. This program focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient. It also includes novel AI hardware technologies like neuromorphic computing and smart edge devices. Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, located in the US, and at least 50% owned by US citizens or permanent residents are eligible.

AI Grant (Accelerator Program) is sponsored by Nat Friedman & Daniel Gross (via AI Grant LLC). AI Grant is a specialized startup accelerator founded by Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross that focuses on funding early-stage AI startups and open-source projects. It offers capital, access to high-performance compute, mentorship, and a network of elite investors.

Lenovo Evolve Small Grant is sponsored by Lenovo (in partnership with Goodie Nation). The Lenovo Evolve Small program champions small businesses by providing aid, mentorship, and community. This grant includes financial assistance, an AI technology package, and personalized mentorship to assist with personal, professional, and business development. The program focuses on helping small businesses thrive in the age of AI.

Google Cloud Research Credits provide cloud computing resources to academic researchers for AI machine learning and computational research. Faculty and postdoctoral researchers receive up to $5,000 in credits while PhD students receive up to $1,000 per year. Credits can be applied to Google Cloud compute storage and data analysis services enabling researchers to train AI models run experiments and process large datasets. Applications require a brief research proposal and cost estimate using the Google Cloud pricing calculator with decisions typically made within 6-8 weeks. Some institutions have partnered programs with higher credit limits. This program is distinct from Google Cloud for Startups which provides up to $350,000 in credits for AI startups and from Google.org Impact Challenges which provide direct cash grants for social impact projects.

Google Cloud for Startups AI Program provides up to $350,000 in cloud credits over two years to AI startups building on Google Cloud infrastructure. Year 1 covers 100% of eligible Google Cloud usage up to $250,000, while Year 2 covers 20% of eligible usage up to an additional $100,000. AI Tier startups also receive $10,000 for partner LLM models through Model Garden and $12,000 in Google Cloud Enhanced Support credits for one year. The program provides access to Google's full AI infrastructure including H100 GPUs, A3 Ultra instances, TPU v5e, Vertex AI, and Gemini models. Eligible startups must use or plan to use Vertex AI or Gemini to deploy AI services as a foundation of their primary product and must have received qualifying venture capital funding from seed to Series A. Application processing takes 2-4 weeks, with the $350K tier typically requiring a VC or partner referral.

The Google AI Futures Fund is a strategic initiative from Google Labs that invests in and collaborates with early-to-mid-stage startups building ambitious AI applications. Unlike traditional grant programmes, the AI Futures Fund operates on a rolling basis with no fixed application window or batch/cohort model — Google considers investment opportunities continuously. Selected startups receive a comprehensive package including early access to select AI models from Google DeepMind such as Gemini (language), Imagen (image generation), and Veo (video generation), hands-on support from researchers, engineers, product managers, designers, and go-to-market specialists from Google DeepMind and Google Labs, Google Cloud credits with dedicated technical support, and the opportunity to seek direct equity investment from Google. Investment check sizes vary based on the company's stage and needs, typically targeting early to mid-stage companies with flexibility for later-stage opportunities. In 2026, Google partnered with Accel for an India-focused AI Futures Fund cohort (Atoms AI Cohort 2026), offering up to $2 million per startup as a co-investment. The programme has global scope and has funded startups across North America, Europe, India, and other regions. The fund focuses on startups building transformative applications of generative AI, foundation models, and multimodal AI across industries.

The Scaleway Startup Program provides up to EUR 36,000 in cloud credits to early-stage European AI startups, with access to NVIDIA H100 GPU instances for AI training and inference workloads. Scaleway is a French cloud provider offering EU-sovereign infrastructure with full GDPR compliance, making it an attractive option for European AI startups that need GPU compute resources while maintaining data sovereignty. The program requires no equity stake and is designed to help early-stage companies access the compute infrastructure needed for AI model development, fine-tuning, and deployment. Scaleway's data centers are located in France and the Netherlands, providing low-latency European GPU access for AI workloads.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF SBIR Artificial Intelligence topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in the field of deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. This includes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust against adversaries, privacy-preserving, and efficient. It also covers novel devices and architectures to support the processing power needed by AI technologies and edge devices.

The UK Sovereign AI Fund is a £500 million state-backed initiative providing AI startups with equity investments of £1M-£10M at market-rate terms alongside up to 1 million fully-funded GPU hours on the UK's largest AI supercomputers. The Fund also offers fast-tracked visa support for recruiting global AI talent and access to UK research institutions, curated national datasets, and government contracts up to £10M. Aimed at startups from pre-seed to growth stage, the Fund is positioned to help British AI companies start, scale, and compete globally. The Fund launched in April 2026 as part of the UK government's broader AI Opportunities Action Plan and Sovereign AI Unit, backed by up to £500M in total commitments.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Topic is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program provides non-dilutive funds for use-inspired research and development of unproven, leading-edge technology innovations that address societal challenges, specifically focusing on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware.

Small Business Technology Transfer Program (2026) is a grant from the federal government (administered via SBIR.gov) that funds cooperative research and development between small for-profit businesses and non-profit research institutions. Awards range from ,000 to ,700,000 across three phases: Phase I for feasibility, Phase II for technology development, and Phase III for commercialization. Funding is non-dilutive and equity-free. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees partnering with research institutions to advance mission-critical federal R&D needs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Topic – NSF SBIR is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). This program supports small businesses developing innovative AI technologies, with an emphasis on next-generation AI that is safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient. It also includes cutting-edge hardware technologies for sustainable AI.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) - Artificial Intelligence is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Supports startups and small businesses developing cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. This includes novel devices and architectures for sustainable AI, edge devices, and AI technologies that lead to better hardware systems.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) - Artificial Intelligence topic is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program supports startups and small businesses in translating AI research into products and services, including AI systems and AI-based hardware, for the public good. It focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware.

R&D Tax Incentive is sponsored by Australian Taxation Office (administered by AusIndustry and the Australian Taxation Office). Provides tax offsets to encourage companies to conduct eligible R&D activities, including those related to AI. Small businesses undertaking AI development for democratizing data in the NFP sector could be eligible for this ongoing incentive.

San José AI Incentive Program is sponsored by City of San José. The City of San José has opened applications for grants for early-stage AI startups with an active or planned employee presence in San José, aiming to grow the AI ecosystem in Silicon Valley. Innovators awarded grants will join San José's robust tech scene.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This program supports startups and small businesses to translate AI research into products and services, including AI systems and AI-based hardware, for the public good. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient. The program also includes cutting-edge hardware technologies for sustainable AI and intelligent edge devices. While not specific to hospitality, innovation in AI can be applied to the sector.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Topic is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF SBIR/STTR program focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient. This includes novel AI hardware technologies and sustainable AI technologies for low-resource environments. This is a strong fit for AI startups with innovative technical solutions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). America's Seed Fund, powered by the NSF, funds U. S. -based startups and small businesses developing deep technologies with commercial and societal potential, including cutting-edge AI systems and AI-based hardware.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is sponsored by Multiple Federal Agencies (coordinated by SBA). The SBIR program encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides incentives to commercialize their innovations. This program focuses on research and development (R&D) and has participating agencies across various sectors, including those relevant to technology and AI.

America's Seed Fund – NSF SBIR (Artificial Intelligence) Phase I is a grant from the National Science Foundation that funds for-profit U.S. small businesses developing novel artificial intelligence technologies with strong commercial potential and societal impact. Since 1977, America's Seed Fund (powered by NSF) has supported approximately 400 companies per year to bring deep technologies from research to market. Phase I awards are typically up to $275,000 and support early-stage R&D to demonstrate technical feasibility. Eligible applicants are U.S. for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees and majority U.S. ownership, developing innovative AI technologies in any sub-topic area. The program welcomes first-time entrepreneurs from all 50 states and U.S. territories.

The Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program supports global AI companies to grow and scale by providing up to $120,000 in cloud credits, up to 2 billion free Model Studio tokens (Alibaba's generative AI development platform), POC coupons, 12 months of Alibaba Cloud Academy access, 1:1 office hours with AI experts, invitations to global events, and access to the AI Alliance network and partner connections. The program is especially interested in companies working on AI Video and Image Creation (AI-generated content, video production with synthetic characters), AI Model Aggregators (model distribution platforms), and Content Moderation (deep-fake detection, AI content moderation). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with notification within 4-5 business days. No equity is taken. Alibaba Cloud has committed over $50 billion to AI infrastructure, making this program a significant compute resource for AI startups particularly in the APAC region but available globally.

Artificial Intelligence for Small Business - In Person & Online is sponsored by Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Lake Huron Region. This program provides education, training, and consulting support to help small businesses in Michigan adopt and apply artificial intelligence. This is a direct fit for Aten Security's focus on Agentic AI.

AI Startup Grant Program is sponsored by The Grant Portal (acts as an intermediary for various funders). This program aims to support organizations and entities focused on AI-first products, providing non-dilutive capital for scaling operations, streamlining workflows, digitizing processes, and launching AI technologies. It also offers Azure credits and mentorship.

AI Innovation Package / GenAI4EU Initiative is sponsored by European Commission. The AI innovation package aims to bolster the development and adoption of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence across the EU, supporting AI start-ups and SMEs by facilitating access to supercomputing resources, providing financial aid, and creating a supportive ecosystem for inno…

SBIR Phase I: A Cyber Assured Space Internet Device is sponsored by Department of Defense (DoD). This SBIR Phase I project aims to develop technology needed to accelerate the commercial development of hybrid space and terrestrial communications architectures, in-space manufacturing, and industrial infrastructure, with a focus on cybersecurity in space. While not explicitly 'AI software,' it involves advanced technology development that could incorporate AI.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs is sponsored by Various Federal Agencies (e.g., NSF, DOD, NIH, DOE, NASA). These programs are the largest source of non-dilutive funding for AI startups in the United States, encouraging small businesses to engage in scientific research and development with commercial potential.

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) is a five-year, CAD $200 million federal program running from 2024 to 2029 that is delivered regionally by Canada's seven Regional Development Agencies as part of Canada's national AI strategy. RAII funds two broad streams: helping Canadian AI developers commercialize and scale new AI products and services, and helping Canadian businesses in other sectors adopt AI to improve productivity. Eligible activities include productizing and demonstrating AI technology, scaling AI operations, adapting AI solutions to sector needs, building regional AI ecosystem capacity and talent, and supporting AI adoption projects in manufacturing, agriculture, health, natural resources and other industries. Individual projects generally receive CAD $250,000 to CAD $5 million over up to three years, with a CAD $10 million per-organization ceiling. For-profit SMEs typically receive interest-free repayable contributions covering up to 50% of authorized project costs, while not-for-profits, post-secondary institutions and Indigenous organizations can receive largely non-repayable contributions of up to 90%. Applications are made to the Regional Development Agency covering the applicant's province or territory, and intake is generally continuous rather than deadline-driven. In May 2026 the Government of Canada announced support for 44 Canadian companies under related AI programming, signalling active deployment of the fund.

UK Sovereign AI Fund for British AI Startups with Compute and Capital is sponsored by UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The UK Sovereign AI Fund is a £500 million state-backed initiative providing AI startups with equity investments of £1M-£10M at market-rate terms alongside up to 1 million fully-funded GPU hours on the UK's largest AI supercomputers.

Nebius AI Lift is a startup credit program run in collaboration with NVIDIA Inception that gives eligible AI-native startups up to $150,000 in Nebius AI Cloud credits plus $10,000 in dedicated inference credits. Beyond raw credits, participants receive access to Nebius AI technical expertise and solution architects, significant discounts for startups committing to longer-term AI scaling, guaranteed priority access to current-generation NVIDIA GPUs including early access to the Blackwell platform on Nebius cloud instances, and co-marketing exposure through Nebius blog features and event speaking slots. The program is aimed at bootstrapped through pre-Series B AI startups and is accessed via NVIDIA Inception membership, which is itself free and has no equity or minimum-funding requirement. Because Inception membership also unlocks credits from other cloud partners, AI Lift is commonly stacked with other provider programs to extend runway substantially before a startup needs to raise. Nebius has continued to expand its startup compute commitments, including a separate Robotics and Physical AI Awards program backed by $1.5 million in compute credits.

The OVHcloud Startup Program is the European sovereign-cloud answer to AWS Activate and Google Cloud's Early Stage Program, and for AI teams with data-residency requirements it is often the more practical option. Credits are tiered: EUR 10,000 at the Start level for early-stage startups, rising to up to EUR 100,000 at the Scale level for scaleups, with a 12-month program period in each case. What makes this relevant to AI specifically is what the credits can be spent on - OVHcloud's Cloud GPU line covers NVIDIA H200, H100, L40S and L4 instances, alongside managed AI services including AI Notebooks, AI Training and AI Deploy, so credits can fund actual training runs rather than only general-purpose infrastructure. The non-cash side scales with the tier as well: six hours of one-to-one engineering consultation at Start level and twenty hours at Scale, plus visibility support, market access and introductions to funding partners. A third enabler track exists for accelerators and incubators that want to bring their portfolios in. The program runs on a rolling basis with no application deadline, and applications are made through the OVHcloud startup portal. Two caveats are worth weighing before applying. First, credits are consumption-based and expire with the 12-month term, so a team should have a concrete training or inference workload ready rather than banking the award. Second, OVHcloud does not publish detailed qualification thresholds - funding stage, revenue caps and similar criteria - on the program homepage, so borderline applicants should expect to clarify eligibility during the application itself. For European AI startups constrained by GDPR or public-sector procurement rules, the sovereignty argument alone can justify choosing this over a larger US-hyperscaler credit package.

The Gateway route is the low-friction entry point into the UK AI Research Resource, and it is deliberately designed for people who have never used AI supercomputing before. Successful applicants receive up to 10,000 GPU hours on either Isambard-AI - the UK's most powerful public compute facility, built on 5,448 NVIDIA GH200 Grace-Hopper superchips - or the Dawn system, with the allocation to be used within three months of project start. The critical thing to understand is that no money changes hands: this is an in-kind compute award only, so salaries, data acquisition and everything else must be covered elsewhere. That constraint makes Gateway most useful as a proving ground rather than as a project's primary funding. The stated purposes match that positioning - first-time users of AI supercomputing resources, algorithm testing, benchmarking, and feasibility work - and a successful Gateway project is a natural precursor to the much larger AIRR open-access calls, which award between 50,000 and 1,400,000 GPU hours over six or twelve months. Unlike those competitive rounds, Gateway is permanently open with no closing date; applications are batched fortnightly for allocation decisions, so turnaround is measured in weeks. There is no limit on how many applications an organisation or an individual researcher may submit, though each must stand alone. Eligible activities span fundamental research, feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development, and the scheme is explicitly open to industry as well as academia - an unusual feature among national compute schemes, and the main reason UK AI startups should look at this before paying for commercial GPU time.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Topic is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This program focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware, including novel devices and architectures to support the tremendous processing power needed by AI technologies, edge devices, and AI technologies that lead to better hardware systems. It emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are safe, reliable, fair, robust against adversaries, privacy-preserving, and efficient.

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) is a CAD $200 million, five-year federal initiative (2024-2029) supporting AI development and adoption across Canada through regional economic development agencies including PrairiesCan, FedDev Ontario, FedNor, and others. Individual project funding ranges from CAD $250,000 to $5 million with a cap of $10 million per organization over the program life. The initiative funds AI technology commercialization and adoption projects across eight priority areas including advanced manufacturing, clean technology, agriculture, health sciences, natural resources, and digital industries. Projects support job creation, revenue growth, and export expansion with a maximum 3-year duration. Non-government funding must represent at least 50% of project costs for for-profit applicants.

AI Incentive Grant Program (City of San Jose) is sponsored by City of San Jose. The City of San Jose launched an AI incentive grant program to encourage AI companies to establish themselves in the South Bay and find solutions to real-world problems. This program specifically awarded local AI startups.

Oracle for Startups provides member startups with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure credits and discounted usage rates to build and scale AI workloads on OCI, which offers high-performance NVIDIA GPU superclusters for AI training and inference. Members receive up to $100,000 in OCI credits over time, significant discounts on OCI services, dedicated technical support, and co-sell / go-to-market opportunities across Oracle's customer base. The program is aimed at helping AI and cloud-native startups access enterprise-grade GPU compute at reduced cost.

The Google for Startups Cloud Program provides venture-backed, early-stage startups with cloud and AI compute credits to build and scale on Google Cloud. AI-focused startups can receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits (versus $200,000 for other startups) usable over two years, along with access to GPUs and Cloud TPUs, dedicated technical support, training on building generative AI applications with Vertex AI and Gemini models, and Google mentorship. The program is designed to lower the compute cost barrier for startups training and deploying AI models.

NVIDIA Inception is a free, no-equity program for AI, data science, and HPC startups at any stage. Members receive preferred pricing and discounts on NVIDIA GPUs and software (including DGX systems and NVIDIA AI Enterprise), cloud GPU credits through partner marketplaces, free self-paced NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute training, technical guidance and engineering support, co-marketing opportunities, and access to Inception Capital Connect to meet venture investors. The program is designed to help startups accelerate development and deployment of AI models on NVIDIA's accelerated computing platform.

The Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program (part of Alibaba Cloud's startup ecosystem offerings) provides AI and technology startups with cloud and GPU compute credits, access to Alibaba's Qwen foundation models and Model Studio platform, technical enablement, and market-entry support, with a focus on companies scaling in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Startups can receive up to $120,000 in lifetime cloud credits to offset the cost of training and deploying AI applications on Alibaba Cloud infrastructure.

NSF's America's Seed Fund runs a dedicated Artificial Intelligence topic within its SBIR/STTR program, providing non-dilutive funding to U.S. small businesses commercializing high-risk AI technologies. The topic is divided into eight subtopics: AI1 Cognitive Science-based Technologies, AI2 Computer Vision Based AI Technologies, AI3 Conversational AI Technologies, AI4 Language-Based AI Technologies, AI5 Novel AI Hardware Technologies, AI6 Sustainable AI Technologies for Low Resource Environments, AI7 Technologies for Trustworthy AI, and AI8 Other Novel Technologies. Companies enter through a required Project Pitch — a short screening submission that NSF responds to within about three weeks — and only invited companies may submit a full Phase I proposal. Phase I supports a feasibility study of up to $305,000, and successful Phase I awardees may apply for Phase II of up to $1,000,000, with total NSF investment per company reaching up to $2,000,000 including supplements. NSF takes no equity and claims no intellectual property, and the program is explicitly designed for startups with a credible commercial path rather than academic research groups. NSF began accepting Project Pitches against new solicitations on June 2, 2026.

AWS Activate provides cloud credits for AI startups at multiple tiers. The Founders package offers $1,000 for self-funded startups. The Portfolio package provides up to $100,000 for startups affiliated with qualifying VCs, accelerators, or incubators. A new 2026 tier recognizes the high costs of training large language models with credits up to $300,000. For AI-focused startups in the Y Combinator network, AWS extends credits to $500,000 per startup, redeemable against Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and EC2 GPU instances. Credits cover AWS infrastructure, data services, and leading AI/ML models including third-party models on Amazon Bedrock from Anthropic, Cohere, Meta, Mistral AI, and others. Applications are processed within 7-10 business days.

Humanity AI is sponsored by Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Omidyar Network, Mellon Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Kapor Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Siegel Family Endowment (pooled commitment). Humanity AI is a collaborative grantmaking fund launched by ten major foundations to ensure AI development is people-centered. It focuses on five priority areas: democracy, education, humanities and culture, labor and economy, and security.

The Anthology Fund is a $100 million venture fund created by Menlo Ventures in partnership with Anthropic, dedicated to investing in startups building AI safety tools, infrastructure, and applications. The fund targets seed to Series A stage companies working on responsible AI development, AI safety tooling, interpretability infrastructure, and applications that align AI systems with human values. Portfolio companies gain access to Anthropic's technical expertise and Menlo Ventures' operational support network. The fund operates on a rolling basis with no fixed application deadline.

Artificial Intelligence Grant – Apply Today is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF SBIR program welcomes proposals focused on developing high-risk technical innovation with significant potential for commercial and societal impact in Artificial Intelligence. This includes sub-topics such as Cognitive Science-based Technologies, Computer Vision, Conversational AI, Language-Based AI, Novel AI Hardware, Sustainable AI, and Technologies for Trustworthy AI.

The Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program provides APAC-focused AI startups with up to $120,000 in lifetime cloud credits for GPU compute, AI model training, inference, and general cloud infrastructure. As the largest cloud provider in the Asia-Pacific region, Alibaba Cloud offers access to GPU instances and a comprehensive AI development platform including model serving, data processing, and deployment tools. The program is designed for startups building AI-native products across Southeast Asia, Greater China, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, and other APAC markets. Credits can be applied to compute instances, storage, networking, AI/ML services, and database products. Beyond credits, participants gain access to Alibaba Cloud's startup ecosystem, technical mentorship, and potential go-to-market support across APAC markets. This program fills a geographic gap left by Western cloud providers' startup programs, offering localized support and infrastructure optimized for APAC workloads and compliance requirements.

The Alibaba Cloud AI Catalyst Program provides cloud compute credits of up to $120,000 lifetime value to AI startups in the Asia-Pacific region. The program offers access to high-performance GPU compute including NVIDIA H100 instances hosted in Alibaba Cloud's Singapore region, which is noted for offering some of the most competitive pricing for H100 GPU access globally. The program is designed to support APAC-focused AI startups building applications across generative AI, machine learning, and deep learning, providing the enterprise-grade infrastructure needed to train and deploy AI models without prohibitive upfront costs. Alibaba Cloud is one of the largest cloud providers in Asia with extensive data center presence across Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. The program represents a significant opportunity for startups in the Global South and Asia-Pacific markets that may face barriers accessing Western cloud providers. The program operates on a rolling basis with applications accepted through the Alibaba Cloud startup portal year-round.

The SCALE AI Acceleration Program provides funding of up to CAD $50,000 (approximately $36,500 USD) to AI startups and SMEs building AI-powered supply chain solutions. Scale AI is Canada's AI Supercluster, a $230 million public-private partnership that accelerates the adoption and commercialization of AI in supply chain management across key Canadian industries including manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and professional services. The Acceleration program supports early-stage companies in developing and validating AI solutions for supply chain optimization, logistics, inventory management, demand forecasting, and related applications. The program operates on a rolling basis.

Avalanche AI Innovation Grants is sponsored by Avalabs (as enterprise partner of FastTrack AI Accelerator powered by GenAI Fund in collaboration with NVIDIA). An initiative offering grants to help AI startups scale into the blockchain ecosystem. This program provides funding, technical integration support, go-to-market exposure, and access to the Avalanche developer community for AI teams at the intersection of AI and Web3.

AWS Activate provides cloud compute credits and resources to startups, including a tier focused on AI and generative AI companies. Eligible startups can access AWS Activate credits ranging from a $1,000-$5,000 self-serve Founders package, up to $200,000 via the Portfolio program for companies backed by accredited VCs, accelerators, or incubators, and $200,000+ for AI startups ready to scale on services such as Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and Trainium. Credits unlock 200+ AWS services spanning AI/ML, infrastructure, and data. The program is open on a rolling basis to startups that are pre-Series B and founded within the last 10 years.

Avalanche AI Innovation Grants is sponsored by Avalabs (enterprise partner of FastTrack AI Accelerator powered by GenAI Fund in collaboration with NVIDIA). This initiative offers grants to cutting-edge AI startups to help them scale into the blockchain ecosystem. It provides funding, technical support, and ecosystem access to AI startups building for or integrating with blockchain technology.

The DoD Replicator Initiative, led by the Deputy Secretary of Defense and executed through the Defense Innovation Unit and the military services, accelerates the acquisition and fielding of attritable autonomous systems at scale, with a particular focus on AI-enabled unmanned aerial, surface, and subsurface platforms. Replicator Tranche 1 (FY2024-FY2025) focused on autonomous unmanned systems for the Indo-Pacific theater; Tranche 2 expands the scope to counter-UAS and additional autonomy categories. The initiative is a primary commercial-pull vehicle for AI startups building autonomy stacks, swarming behavior, computer-vision targeting, and edge AI for resource-constrained platforms. Awards flow through DIU Commercial Solutions Openings, service-specific Other Transaction Authorities, and SBIR/STTR vehicles aligned with Replicator priorities.

The NVIDIA Inception Program is a free, no-equity program designed for AI startups at any funding stage. Members receive NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) training credits, SDK access, and preferred pricing on select hardware and software. The program provides access to partner cloud credits including up to $100,000 in AWS Activate packages and up to $150,000 in Nebius AI cloud infrastructure credits. Inception Capital Connect links eligible members with NVIDIA's extensive venture capital network for fundraising support. NVIDIA amplifies startup visibility through marketing campaigns, newsletters, and case studies. The program has no application fees, no deadlines, and operates on a rolling basis without cohorts. Members must employ at least one developer, maintain a working website, be officially incorporated, and be less than 10 years old. The program is free to join and NVIDIA takes no equity.

The AWS Generative AI Accelerator is an invite-only 8-week hybrid program for priority startups working on complex generative AI challenges. Participants receive up to $1 million in AWS Promotional Credits, dedicated mentors focused on go-to-market strategy and technical needs, complimentary attendance at AWS re:Invent with bespoke networking events, and go-to-market support through AWS Marketplace and media exposure. The program specifically targets companies exploring fine-tuning open-source models, pre-training foundation models, or providing services in the generative AI tech stack. Applications are evaluated based on founding team experience, product maturity, traction evidence, and AI/ML skills breadth.

The OVHcloud Startup Program provides up to EUR 100,000 in free cloud credits on Europe's sovereign cloud infrastructure, designed for EU tech startups building AI applications. The program offers multiple tiers: the Start level grants EUR 10,000 with hands-on engineering time, while Scale tracks can reach EUR 100,000 via selected pathways. OVHcloud takes no equity in participating startups. The program provides access to NVIDIA A100 and L40S GPUs for AI training workloads, with full GDPR compliance and immunity from the U.S. CLOUD Act — making it particularly attractive for European AI startups requiring data sovereignty. The infrastructure includes personalized technical guidance and partnership opportunities. OVHcloud has direct partnerships with NVIDIA to deliver GPU acceleration capabilities for demanding AI applications.

NSF's America's Seed Fund provides non-dilutive SBIR/STTR funding for small businesses and startups developing innovative AI technologies across nearly all technology areas and markets. Phase I awards provide up to approximately $314,363 for concept validation, while Phase II awards provide up to approximately $2,095,748 for technology development and commercialization. NSF funds AI startups in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, semiconductors, medical devices, energy, and more. The program takes zero equity and is open to first-time entrepreneurs from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Note: NSF has temporarily paused new Project Pitch submissions due to a lapse in SBIR/STTR congressional authorization (expired September 30, 2025), but H.R. 5100 passed the House for a one-year extension through September 2026. Program Directors continue processing previously received pitches. When submissions reopen, the program operates through Project Pitches reviewed by NSF staff, followed by invitations to submit full proposals.

Google Cloud for Startups provides cloud credits and technical support for AI startups building on Google Cloud infrastructure. The Early Stage Program offers up to $350,000 in cloud credits for VC-backed AI startups up to Series A. Credits can be used across all Google Cloud services including Vertex AI for machine learning, TPU and GPU compute instances for training and inference, BigQuery for data analytics, and Google Kubernetes Engine. The program also includes technical architecture reviews, dedicated startup support, and access to Google's AI and ML tools. This is one of the largest cloud credit programs available for AI startups and is a non-dilutive alternative to raising additional capital for compute infrastructure.

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub provides up to $150,000 in Azure credits along with $2,500 in OpenAI credits to help AI startups build and scale their products. The program operates on a tiered credit system: startups begin with $1,000 in Azure credits for exploring AI models (valid for 90 days), can unlock up to $5,000 after completing business verification, and investor-affiliated startups can access up to $150,000 in total credits. Azure credits cover a comprehensive range of services including VMs, AKS (Kubernetes), databases, storage, networking, AI and ML services, Azure OpenAI, and GitHub Actions minutes. The program also includes access to ND A100 GPU instances at $3.40/hour and Azure ML services. No equity is taken. Startups must have received fewer than $350,000 in lifetime free Azure credits, be pre-Series C, privately held, and for-profit businesses.

DoD SBIR 25.1 and STTR 25.A Solicitations is sponsored by Department of Defense. This solicitation cycle for the DoD SBIR and STTR programs offers funding for innovative research and development projects with defense and dual-use applications. It specifically highlights emerging technologies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Sensors and Surveillance, making it highly relevant for acoustic sensing AI.

Oregon AI Accelerator is sponsored by Portland State University, Metro Regional Innovation Hub, Google, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Technology Association of Oregon and TiE Oregon. This accelerator program supports early-stage AI startups with mentorship, validation support, and access to Oregon's innovation ecosystem. The program combines in-person sessions in Portland with virtual programming.

Meta's Llama Startup Program reimburses early-stage U.S. startups for costs of using Llama models through hosted APIs via cloud inference providers. Members receive up to $6,000 USD per month for up to six months, along with hands-on technical support from Llama experts, resources for getting started with Llama, and access to the Llama developer community. The program is designed to help startups build products on Meta's open-source Llama family of large language models across sectors including technology, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, telecommunications, and retail/eCommerce.

Scaleway's Startup Program provides European startups with cloud infrastructure credits across three tiers: Founders (up to €1,000), Go-to-Market (€9,000 total), and Growth (up to €36,000 total). The program provides access to Scaleway's European sovereign cloud infrastructure including NVIDIA H100 GPU clusters (1,016 H100 Tensor Core GPUs) for AI/ML workloads. As a European cloud service provider headquartered in France, Scaleway ensures data sovereignty and GDPR compliance, making it attractive for European AI companies requiring sovereign infrastructure. Scaleway has partnered with NVIDIA to offer a dedicated track for NVIDIA Inception members, bringing accelerated computing options to European startups to quickly deploy AI applications and scale operations. The program includes technical guidance, community benefits, and the ability to access high-performance GPU compute without leaving the European data ecosystem. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This is a key program for European AI startups that need sovereign cloud compute with NVIDIA GPU access.

AI Grant Program is a grant from AI Grant, founded by Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, that funds open source projects in artificial intelligence with no strings attached. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and can be provided as cash or compute credits. The program has supported a wide range of AI and machine learning projects, including neural network libraries, language model tooling, medical imaging AI, quantum system simulations, 3D object generation, and data compression. Past recipients include developers working on llama-cpp-python, the GGUF file format, reinforcement learning agents, and browser-based deep learning. Individual entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders building AI-first solutions are eligible to apply.

SCALE AI Investments is a grant from SCALE AI that funds Canadian accelerators and incubators supporting AI and tech startups. Through the Acceleration program, SCALE AI provides up to $50,000 per AI startup or SME in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs, allocated to certified partner organizations rather than directly to individual companies. Funds are distributed based on the number of startups or SMEs graduating from a certified program. Eligible startups and SMEs must be Canada-based and focused on building applied AI products and services for value chains. Accelerators and incubators must complete SCALE AI's certification process before receiving program allocations.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Artificial Intelligence topic provides non-dilutive seed funding for U.S. small businesses developing cutting-edge AI technologies. The program supports eight specific AI subtopics: AI1 Cognitive Science-based Technologies, AI2 Computer Vision, AI3 Conversational AI, AI4 Language-Based AI, AI5 Novel AI Hardware (neuromorphic computing, edge devices), AI6 Sustainable AI for Low Resource Environments, AI7 Trustworthy AI (safe, fair, transparent, privacy-preserving), and AI8 Other Novel Technologies. Phase I provides up to $305,000 for proof-of-concept work over 6-12 months, while Phase II adds up to $1,250,000 for full technology development over 24 months. NSF takes zero equity and companies retain full IP ownership. Note: As of early 2026, NSF has temporarily paused new Project Pitch submissions due to lapsed congressional SBIR authorization. The program is expected to resume once Congress reauthorizes. Historically, roughly 15-20% of Phase I proposals receive funding.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - SBIR is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation. This NSF SBIR topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware, including novel AI hardware technologies like neuromorphic computing and high-performance technologies for AI. It emphasizes next-generation AI that is safe, reliable, fair, robust, privacy-preserving, and efficient.

Leveraging AI/ML for Optimizing JAG Data, Decision Making, and Military Justice Outcomes is sponsored by Department of the Air Force, SBIR. This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) topic aims to address labor-intensive legal and judicial data management processes within the Air Force District of Washington Judge Advocate (AFDW JA) by introducing innovative AI/ML solutions, including generative AI, to a…

Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) Focused Open Topic (DOD SBIR) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR). This open topic seeks proposals for artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, including methodologies to identify and mitigate AI risk (operational and supply chain) and new ways of implementing, constructing, and testing Large Language Models or Radio Frequency si…

The Google for Startups Cloud Program provides non-dilutive Google Cloud credits to help startups build and scale AI products without giving up equity. AI-focused startups with a working product and founding team can access up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits over two years, alongside technical support, mentorship, and access to Google's AI models and infrastructure. The program is designed to run alongside other non-dilutive startup programs and is available on a rolling basis to eligible early-stage companies.

Google for Startups Cloud Program (AI Tier) is sponsored by Google Cloud. This program is designed to accelerate AI Startups by providing significant Google Cloud credits, resources, dedicated support, and access to Google's open AI ecosystem. It includes credits for Google Cloud usage, enhanced support, Google Workspace Business Plus, and Google Maps services. It also offers access to AI experts, exclusive webinars, and insights into Google Cloud's AI roadmap. The program specifically targets startups using or planning to use Vertex AI or Gemini as a foundation of their primary product or solution.

DOE SBIR/STTR for Genesis Mission (AI focus) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). This award opportunity through DOE's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs aligns with the Genesis Mission's goals to advance American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI).

Development of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Passive Detection, Tracking, And, Identification System for Ground Vehicles. is sponsored by Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR. This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) topic aims to develop a multi-sensor counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability utilizing an open software platform to detect and track UAVs using various methods while minimizing nuisance detections. This may include radar, infrared, electro-optical, acoustic, or other sensors. Of particular interest for military applications is the low power consumption of the sensor network elements, leveraging applications of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Google Cloud for Startups AI Program provides up to $350,000 in cloud credits for AI startups using or planning to use Vertex AI or Gemini. Year 1 credits cover 100% of eligible Google Cloud usage up to $250,000, including Scale Tier program credits plus an additional $150,000 for startups enrolled in the AI Tier. Year 2 provides credits covering 20% of eligible usage up to an additional $100,000. The program also includes $12,000 in Google Cloud Enhanced Support credits for one year and an additional $10,000 for partner LLM models through Model Garden. Startups gain access to the best of Google's open AI ecosystem including Vertex AI and Gemini.

IOG Foundation Grant Program is a grant from the IOG Foundation (oversees io.net) that funds AI startups, researchers, and developers building innovative, impactful, and scalable AI-powered products on the io.net decentralised GPU network. The programme allocates 20 million $IO tokens (approximately $15 million) to accelerate AI innovation by providing financial support to teams with promising ideas in early development or with live platforms. Priority is given to projects that can leverage io.net's decentralised compute infrastructure to advance AI capabilities. Eligible applicants include AI startups, researchers, and developers with projects demonstrating innovation, impact, and scalable roadmaps.

DARPA's SAFRON (Safe and Assured Foundation Robots for Open Environments) program develops foundation-model-based robotic systems that can safely and assuredly accept natural-language commands and operate in open, unstructured environments. SAFRON focuses on the safety, assurance, and predictability of foundation-model-driven robots, especially the risks that arise when large language and vision-language-action models are given low-level control over physical platforms. The program funds new methods for specifying, evaluating, and bounding the behavior of foundation-model robots, with a goal of producing robots that can be trusted to operate safely in homes, hospitals, factories, and military environments. SAFRON is part of DARPA's broader push to integrate frontier foundation models into safety-critical autonomous systems.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) topics is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program with an AI focus funds U.S. AI startups engaged in deep technology or research-based innovation, emphasizing novel, scalable, and developing AI solutions, including AI hardware and deep-learning based AI systems. Topics include cognitive science, computer vision, conversational AI, language-based AI, novel AI hardware, sustainable AI, and trustworthy AI.