This program supports the launch and growth of innovative ventures and new high-impact innovative companies. The call is aimed at young Uruguayan companies and innovative entrepreneurs developing product or business process innovations. Eligible projects must have a solution validated with their target market, demonstrate the potential to scale globally, and seek to generate economic, social, or environmental impact.
Eligible Applicants and Innovation Areas
• Eligible applicants: young Uruguayan companies and innovative entrepreneurs.
• Product innovation: goods and services whose characteristics or uses differ from or improve on those already available in Uruguay.
• Business process innovation: innovations related to the production of goods and services, distribution and logistics, commercialization methods, organization and management, research and development services, and creativity or design.
Project Leadership and Impact Requirements
• Project leadership: the project must be led by at least one entrepreneur dedicated exclusively to the venture.
• Market validation: the proposed solution must have been validated with its target market.
• Scalability: the project must demonstrate the potential to scale globally.
• Impact orientation: the project must seek to generate economic, social, or environmental impact in its context.
• Sponsoring institution: the entrepreneurial team may apply together with a sponsoring institution that supports the project during its formulation, execution, and closing stages.
Financing and Duration
• Non-reimbursable financing: ANII may finance up to 80% of the total project cost, with a maximum contribution of UYU 3,000,000. Entrepreneurs must provide a cash contribution equivalent to at least 20% of the total project cost.
• Climate change projects: projects related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, or another climate-related area, when evaluated as such, may receive non-reimbursable financing of up to 90% of the total project cost. The maximum ANII contribution remains UYU 3,000,000.
• Women-led projects: projects led by a woman may receive non-reimbursable financing of up to 90% of the total project cost, with the maximum ANII contribution remaining UYU 3,000,000.
• Definition of women-led: a venture is considered women-led when one or more female shareholders hold an equity stake greater than that of any other individual shareholder in the company.
• Project duration: projects may have a maximum execution period of up to 24 months.
Application Modality and Inquiries
• Modality: the call operates under an open-window application model.
• Closing: the call remains open subject to the availability of funds.
This program provides non-reimbursable funding for innovative ventures with validated solutions and global scaling potential, with enhanced financing available for eligible climate-related and women-led projects. Applicants must demonstrate innovation, market validation, dedicated entrepreneurial leadership, and the potential to generate economic, social, or environmental impact.