Meta launches Llama for Startups program with funding, AI support

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Meta has launched a new program called “Llama for Startups” to encourage US startups to use its Llama AI models in their generative AI projects. 

The goal is to attract early-stage companies and help them build applications using Meta’s open-source AI tools. 

This move comes as Meta competes with other big tech firms like Google and Alibaba to lead in the AI space.

The program offers direct support from Meta’s Llama team, and some startups may also receive funding. 

Eligible companies must be US-based, officially incorporated, have raised less than $10 million, and have at least one developer on staff. 

They also need to be working on generative AI applications. Startups have until May 30 to apply.

Selected companies may get up to $6,000 per month for six months to help cover costs while building their AI products. 

Meta’s experts will guide them through getting started and using Llama for more advanced purposes that could benefit their businesses.

This new initiative comes as Meta tries to maintain its momentum in a competitive AI landscape. 

Its Llama models have been downloaded over a billion times, but other companies like DeepSeek and Google are also pushing their own open AI models. Meta is working hard to stay ahead, but it has faced some challenges.

For example, Meta recently delayed the launch of a new model called Llama 4 Behemoth due to concerns about its performance. 

In another setback, Meta was accused of cheating on a public AI benchmark test by using a specially tuned version of its Llama 4 Maverick model.

Despite these issues, Meta is betting big on generative AI. The company believes its AI tools could generate between $2 and $3 billion in revenue in 2025, and possibly up to $1.4 trillion by 2035. 

It’s already making money through revenue-sharing deals and new tools like APIs for customizing Llama.

To support this growth, Meta is heavily investing in infrastructure, with plans to spend $60–$80 billion in 2025, mostly on new data centers.

In 2024 alone, it spent over $900 million on its AI projects, with even more expected this year.

What do you think about this program? Would you trust Meta with a responsibility like this one? Tell us below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.