Meta has introduced a new initiative called the “Llama for Startups” program aimed at accelerating the adoption of its Llama AI models among early-stage startups in the United States. This program offers eligible startups direct technical support from Meta’s Llama team along with financial assistance to help offset development costs. Specifically, startups can receive up to $6,000 per month for a period of six months, enabling them to build and enhance generative AI applications using Llama technology.
To qualify, startups must be U.S.-based, incorporated, have raised less than $10 million in funding, employ at least one developer, and be actively working on generative AI projects. The application deadline for this cohort is May 30, 2025. Beyond funding, Meta’s experts will collaborate closely with participants to explore advanced use cases and provide hands-on technical mentorship, helping startups navigate challenges and optimize their AI solutions.
This program is part of Meta’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the competitive open AI model ecosystem, where it faces rivals like Google, DeepSeek, and Alibaba’s Qwen. Despite Llama models achieving over a billion downloads, Meta has encountered some setbacks recently, including delaying the release of its flagship Llama 4 Behemoth model due to performance concerns and controversies over benchmark testing methods. Nonetheless, Meta remains ambitious, projecting its generative AI products to generate between $2 billion and $3 billion in revenue in 2025, with long-term forecasts reaching up to $1.4 trillion by 2035.
Meta’s investment in generative AI is substantial, with its 2024 budget exceeding $900 million and expected to surpass $1 billion in 2025, excluding the massive capital expenditure of $60 billion to $80 billion planned for new data centers and infrastructure. The Llama for Startups program complements other initiatives like the Llama Design Drive in the MENA region, which supports startups building autonomous AI agents with additional mentorship and cloud credits.
By fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem around Llama, Meta aims to cultivate innovative AI applications that can scale widely, helping it maintain a competitive edge and build a robust AI developer community. This approach not only supports innovation but also helps Meta expand the reach and impact of its open-source AI models in a rapidly evolving market.
Meta’s Llama Ai models for Startups program offers a valuable opportunity for early-stage U.S. startups to access funding, expert guidance, and cutting-edge AI technology, reinforcing Meta’s commitment to driving generative AI innovation and ecosystem growth.
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