In a context marked by the loss of 73% of mammal, bird, fish, reptile and amphibian populations since 1970, and with 55% of global GDP at risk from environmental degradation, technological innovation plays a key role in solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the planet today.
Despite environmental drawbacks that still need to be overcome, democratization of cutting-edge technologies such as AI represents an opportunity to address diverse challenges, and has already established itself as a revolutionary tool to help combat global ecological challenges through scalable projects and solutions.
However, many of the startups that address these types of issues are left with little promise due to lack of support to consolidate and scale their solutions, so the backing of technology companies makes a difference.
To boost startups working to make a positive impact on nature, Google has launched a key initiative: the Google for Startups Accelerator: IA for Nature. This hybrid, no-cost program is aimed at Latin American and North American (U.S. and Canada) startups that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to protect, monitor and restore ecosystems.
The acceleration program, which starts in May 2025 and runs for 10 weeks, combines virtual and face-to-face sessions to address critical technical challenges. Selected startups work on intensive projects (sprints) and receive one-on-one mentoring from Google engineers and sustainability experts. They also participate in workshops on product design, customer acquisition and leadership, culminating in a Demo Day in August 2025, where they present their progress to investors and industry leaders.
In a blog post shared with Contxto, Paco Solsona, Google for Startups Accelerator Leader for Latin America at Google, mentions, “The program aims to drive the growth of startups using AI through mentorship with experts and access to Google technology that will enable them to launch solutions that help protect, manage and restore the biodiversity of the Americas.”
“We believe that the vision of today’s entrepreneurs can make a big difference, which is why we launched Google for Startups Accelerator: AI for Nature,” he said. According to Solsona, this is the first program of its kind in the region.
Benefits that transcend the economic
Unlike other programs, this accelerator does not require the transfer of shares, which makes it attractive for early-stage startups. Participants receive up to $350,000 dollars in Google Cloud credits, essential for developing AI models, and 30 days of free access to tensor processing units (TPU) for open source ML research.
But the value is not limited to just financial. Access to a global network of mentors, including Google DeepMind scientists and sustainability leaders, enables startups to refine their technical and business strategies. For example, the program connects teams with UX design experts and cloud solution architects, facilitating the integration of advanced technologies into their products.
To be eligible, startups must operate between Seed and Series A stages, demonstrate market traction, and have a technically robust product that uses AI/ML in environmental areas. Priority is given to innovative solutions, such as the use of camera traps to monitor species or predictive algorithms to optimize reforestation.
A key requirement is the commitment of the technical team, especially the CTO, who must actively participate in all sessions. This ensures that mentoring translates into concrete progress. In addition, geographic and thematic diversity is valued, looking for projects that address everything from bioeconomy in the Amazon to regenerative agriculture in Mexico.
An expanded support ecosystem
This accelerator does not operate in isolation. It is part of a global Google initiative that includes a $3 million dollar fund for Brazilian NGOs focused on protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030, as well as the SpeciesNet AI model, recently released as open source to identify species in camera trap images.
These tools complement the work of the startups, providing a technology and data framework to amplify their impact.
With applications closing on March 31, 2025, the program represents a window for entrepreneurs looking to scale technical solutions with environmental impact. Interested startups must prepare detailed documentation about their technology, traction and equipment, and submit it through the official portal.
In a world where technology and sustainability are interdependent pillars, the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI for Nature emerges as an essential bridge. It not only offers technical and financial resources, but builds an ecosystem where environmental innovation is nurtured by global collaboration. For startups willing to lead this change, the program is an unprecedented opportunity to transform data into action and algorithms into conservation.
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