Page 9 - Identifying and scaling AI startups for SDGs

Identifying and scaling AI startups for SDGs

1 Executive Summary

The AI for Good Innovation factory has since its launch in 2020 emerged as a key pitching
and acceleration platform for AI startups from all corners of the world. These ventures address
critical challenges of society, cross-cutting across all sectors. The selection of the finalist startups
is a rigorous process that ensures the highest quality of innovations. With a growing startup
community over the years, the Innovation Factory’s ambition is to identify practical solutions
using AI, scale those solutions for global impact, and advance the SDGs.

Starting out online in 2020, the AI for Good Innovation Factory gradually moved towards
in-person events and brought diversity to its content direction too. Different geographically
focused events allowed to highlight innovative AI startups from various countries and regions.
This included country-specific pitching sessions for Estonian and the United States-based
startups in 2020 and 2021, as well as one highlighting the Swiss startup scene in 2022. It also
brought in regional focuses on African startups on several occasions, and a special Asian Series
dedicated to rising AI startups in Malaysia and Thailand in 2021. The thematic focus had been
on AI-driven solutions to solve global challenges, sector-specific explorations included startups
developing AI-powered robotics solutions, being prominently featured in 2023, and AgriTech,
HealthTech, and sustainable cities AI innovations in 2022.

At the annual AI for Good Global Summit, the winning startups from the year-round pitching
sessions were invited to pitch their solutions at an exciting live event to an expert panel of judges
that evaluated their pitches and products based on a detailed scorecard that yields the greatest
potential for growth and scalability. Each year, the most promising AI venture was awarded for
its creative solution that help advance the achievement of the United Nations’ SDGs.
The development of the Innovation Factory as a global competition and platform for AI startups
shows the continued interest and belief in the power of AI for Good. Through fostering innovation
and competition, the Innovation Factory supports and encourages AI startups all around the
world to use their entrepreneurial spirit to contribute a sustainable future for all.

2 Introduction

The AI for Good Innovation Factory is the leading United Nations (UN) based startup pitching and
acceleration platform that helps startups grow and scale their innovative Artificial Intelligence
(AI)-powered solutions to address challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it offers multiple opportunities
for startups including global pitching, funding connections, top-tier mentoring, mentoring
experiences, exclusive events access, speaking opportunities, participation in partner startup
acceleration programs, networking with global leaders, and media exposure.

The platform attracts hundreds of startups annually, who apply to participate in monthly online
or in-person pitching sessions. These sessions feature startups from around the globe. Through
dedicated sessions focused on specific regions, countries, or sectors such as agriculture, climate,
energy, healthcare, and smart cities, the top startup solutions are chosen by a live panel of
judges.

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