AI for Good Innovation Factory 2026/27: UN startup pitching and accelerator

The AI for Good Innovation Factory is a UN based startup pitching and acceleration platform organized by the International Telecommunication Union. It helps startups grow AI solutions that address global challenges. Startups pitch in monthly sessions, and the best ones move on to a Grand Finale at the AI for Good Global Summit.

The Grand Finale winner receives a $20,000 cash prize in front of investors and philanthropists. Startups also get mentoring from startup mentors, a Speaker Pass and a startup pod at the AI for Good Global Summit, a blog article about their work, and contact with UN representatives, industry leaders and investors. The program also offers a structured accelerator program to work on the business model.

To apply, your startup must have AI as a core part of its product or service, and the solution must address a global challenge. The company must be registered and operating for at least six months and must have raised less than US$1 million in total. You need a prototype, beta version or MVP, a working website and active social media pages. ITU also asks for a validated business plan and a clear pitch.

Apply with the online startup application form. You choose one pitching session, then add your company details, funding stage, capital raised, a pitch deck and short answers about your product and how it uses AI. The form currently offers sessions on 27 October 2026, 8 December 2026 and 23 February 2027. The page does not give a closing date for each session.

Monthly pitching sessions run from September 2026 to May 2027. The AI for Good Startup Accelerator Programme runs from 21 to 24 June 2027. The Pre Final Round is on 23 June 2027 and the Grand Finale is on 24 June 2027.