Meta is doubling down on its AI ambitions with a new program aimed at startups. Announced this week, the “Llama for Startups” initiative is designed to encourage small companies to build with Meta’s Llama family of open-source AI models — and the tech giant is offering more than just advice.
The program offers direct technical support from Meta’s Llama team and, in some cases, financial assistance. Eligible U.S.-based startups can apply by May 30 to receive up to $6,000 per month for six months to help cover the costs of developing and scaling generative AI products using Llama.
“Our experts will work closely with them to get started and explore advanced use cases,” Meta said in a blog post.
To qualify, companies must:
- Be incorporated in the U.S.
- Have raised less than $10 million
- Employ at least one developer
- Be actively building generative AI applications
The program arrives as Meta works to establish a stronger foothold in the increasingly crowded world of open-source AI models. Llama models have already surpassed 1 billion downloads, but the competition is heating up with challengers like Google, Alibaba’s Qwen, and DeepSeek making moves of their own.
Meta’s momentum has faced some speed bumps recently. A report from The Wall Street Journal revealed delays in the release of its flagship Llama 4 Behemoth model due to underperformance concerns. And earlier this year, the company faced backlash over claims it used a special, optimized version of its Llama 4 Maverick model to top an AI benchmark — then released a different version to the public.
Still, Meta is thinking big. The company believes its AI business could bring in between $2–3 billion in revenue by 2025, and potentially up to $1.4 trillion by 2035. That vision includes not just models like Llama, but also products like Meta AI — the company’s assistant that may soon include ads or a subscription tier, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
To support those ambitions, Meta isn’t holding back on spending. The company allocated over $900 million to its generative AI division in 2024 and expects that to top $1 billion this year. Its broader capital expenditures — including massive investments in data centers — could reach $60–80 billion in 2025.
In the meantime, the “Llama for Startups” program is a clear signal that Meta wants to empower the next generation of AI-driven businesses — and make sure they’re building on its platform.
