We do not act as a Venture Capitalist seeking ownership; we act as a Nation Builder seeking impact.
Through this fund, high-potential teams spinning out of our Do-Labs receive equity-free grants of up to Rs. 50 Lakhs per venture. This creates a bridge between the "Valley of Death" and "Commercial Viability".
Focus Areas
The AIAI Innovation Fund aligns strictly with the "Himalayan Gap" sectors identified in the National AI Policy 2082.
Target Technologies
Small Language Models
Offline-first NLP for local languages.
Edge AI
Computer vision running on low-resource devices.
Autonomous Systems
Drone aeronautics for GPS-denied environments.
Semiconductors
RISC-V and ultra-low-power chip architecture.
3D Printing
Additive manufacturing for decentralized supply.
Target Sectors (The 9 Do-Labs)
Precision Agriculture
Drone-based crop monitoring.
Rural Health
Frugal diagnostics and medical logistics.
Smart Tourism
AR-based heritage preservation.
Clean Energy
AI for hydropower predictive maintenance.
Cognitive Governance
Automated public service delivery.
Logistics
Freight optimization for land-locked corridors.
Investment Stages
The Innovation Fund targets the earliest, riskiest stages of venture creation—the stages traditional banks and VCs ignore.
The "Build" Phase (Pre-Seed)
Funding the transition from a Do-Lab "Project" (built for a client) to a Minimum Viable "Product" (built for the market).
The "Accelerate" Phase (Seed)
Funding the first 6-12 months of operations, allowing founders to pay themselves a stipend and focus 100% on execution.
The Radical IP Policy
1. Zero Equity
AIAI takes 0% ownership in the startups we fund. We believe demanding equity from student founders is a "tax on ambition". By letting founders own 100% of their company, we create a powerful "pull factor" to keep Nepal’s best talent at home.
2. 100% IP Ownership
If you build it at AIAI, you own it. The intellectual property created during the Do-Lab phase is transferred fully to the new venture.
Our ROI is Economic Impact
Application Process
The AIAI Innovation Fund operates on a "Meritocratic Draft" system rooted in our Do-Tank model. No open applications.
The Do-Lab Tryout
Founders must first complete the AI Corps program. Their "application" is their performance during the 12-month diploma.
The Capstone Defense
Teams present their final deployed project (e.g., "Project Sanjeevani") to the Hybrid Faculty.
The Invitation
The top 10% of teams—those with the most viable commercial potential—are invited to join the AI-preneurship Hub.
The Demo Day
Funding is released in tranches based on "Sprint Goals" achieved, culminating in a pitch to global investors.
Eligibility Criteria
Founder Origin
The founding team must include graduates from the AIAI AI Corps or Hybrid Faculty.
Legal Structure
The venture must be registered as a Private Limited Company in Nepal within 30 days.
Himalayan Context
The product must solve a specific "Himalayan Gap" problem. No copy-cat "Uber for X" ideas.
Ownership
The startup must be majority-owned (51%+) by Nepali citizens to ensure wealth retention.