Startups are delivering practical solutions in agritech, healthcare, and social inclusion, as Qualcomm strengthens its commitment to the Latin American innovation ecosystem.
Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, today announced the successful completion of the program. Inaugural AI for Innovators (AIPI) in Latin America, highlighting six innovative projects developed by early-stage startups and research groups in Brazil and Mexico. Designed to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in key sectors, the program equips participants with advanced Qualcomm® technologies, technical mentoring, business guidance, and training in intellectual property and product development with startups and research groups.
Throughout the program, participating teams received hands-on support to advance AI-based concepts toward real-world, market-relevant applications, addressing real-world challenges in agritech, healthcare, and social inclusion, using Qualcomm Technologies platforms such as Snapdragon® X Series, Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Q8 Series, and Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Q6 Series. Startups selected for Phase 2 also received enhanced benefits, including six months of dedicated mentorship with Qualcomm business teams, a discretionary grant of up to USD $10,000 to support prototype development, including reimbursement of eligible patent filing costs, subject to the terms and conditions of the AIPI program. As part of Qualcomm's commitment to fostering regional innovation, two groups are already pursuing patent applications for their solutions. Participation in the AIPI program does not imply a commercial relationship with Qualcomm beyond the scope of the program.
Qualcomm encourages innovative solutions made in Latin America, solving Latin American problems. Check out the innovations that are poised to transform the market.
The class of 2025 includes the following startups (listed in alphabetical order):
AINX Computing — Empowering Neurodiverse Communities with Inclusive AI
A Brazilian startup focused on building platforms to create a more inclusive world. Their main product, Inkludo, is an Artificial Intelligence System designed to empower individuals within the Autism Spectrum (ASD) and promote better understanding and interaction with neurotypical environments. The challenge lies in seamlessly integrating autistic individuals into neurotypical ecosystems and improving the neurotypical understanding of people with ASD and their unique needs.
BSV Robotics — Autonomous Pest Detection and Control Bicudobot
Bicudobot is an autonomous mobile robot that operates 24/7 in cotton fields to identify critical infestation points on the plants. Based on this data, it performs precision insecticide spraying only when pests are confirmed. Cloud-based analytics generate high-resolution infestation heat maps and actionable insights, delivered to farmers through a Hardware as a Service model.
Herdian — Intelligent Monitoring for Labor Management
Herdian built a proprietary dataset and computer vision models to supervise farrowing pens. The system is based on continuous monitoring from production-ready security cameras and a Qualcomm-based edge computer for inference. Farm workers designate which pens are expecting work; the system notifies them immediately as soon as the first piglets are detected, instructing them where attention is needed. If the system does not detect human assistance within a set time after the start of labor, escalated alerts are sent to ensure coverage.
La Piedad Technological Institute — EMG-Controlled Assistive Robotics
A group of researchers from Mexico has developed a robotic hand controlled by electromyography (EMG) signals acquired from a wearable device, focusing on research and development of assistive technologies and robotic solutions for people who have lost an upper limb. Muscle signals from the user's forearm are captured wirelessly in the Qualcomm® RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit, where a machine learning model identifies functional hand gestures. These predictions are translated into commands that control the servomotors of a robotic hand, allowing for controlled replication of the movements intended by the user.
Chihuahua Technological Institute — Local AI for smart agriculture and bioprocessing
The Mexican research institute has developed a local AI system that monitors, predicts, and optimizes key variables in hydroponics, greenhouses, and bioreactors. It uses machine learning models to detect early stresses or deficiencies, automatically control operational parameters (pH, EC, oxygen, temperature, flow), and predict bioprocess performance, operating without continuous internet connectivity.
Zumira — Privacy first in AI devices for detecting psychosocial risks.
Zumira is an AI-powered mental health assistant for psychological screening, helping individuals monitor their mental health and enabling organizations to identify psychosocial risks early and at scale, with privacy by design. Using Qualcomm-powered devices, Zumira deploys federated AI on the device, allowing companies to keep sensitive mental health data fully under their control while ensuring employee privacy.
“At launch, we said that Latin American innovators would reinvent workflows with AI on-device; this class delivered—bringing cutting-edge intelligence to work in the clinic, on the farm, and in the factory, while learning how to protect their inventions through patents,” said Sudeepto Roy, Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Incorporated and Global Ecosystem Development Program Leader at Qualcomm. “My thanks to the Qualcomm LatAm business and engineering teams for mentoring these startups. Next, we will integrate the 2026 class into the Arduino® AI platforms to take real-time private intelligence to an even higher level.”
The program strongly emphasizes the importance of protecting intellectual property (IP) rights and includes training on patent registration and maintenance. Starting in the early stages of deploying new technologies in products, Qualcomm Technologies helps participating startups understand and implement effective IP strategies to manage their patent portfolios.
“Qualcomm drives innovation in Latin America and strengthens the international competitiveness of the market,” says Luiz Tonisi, president of Qualcomm Latin America. “The Latam AIPI program aims to support startups and developers in bringing transformative technology to the region.”
These innovations, showcased during Demo Day, brought together investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem collaborators—demonstrating how Qualcomm's technologies and mentorship are accelerating next-generation solutions across Latin America, which is stronger than ever.
To register for AIPI-LATAM 2026, please visit: https://www.qualcomm.com/ai-program-for-innovators/latam
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world address some of its most pressing challenges. Building on our 40 years of technological leadership in creating era-defining innovations, we offer a broad portfolio of solutions built on our cutting-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unparalleled connectivity. Our Snapdragon® platforms deliver extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to reach new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and power societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, virtually all of our engineering, research and development functions and virtually all of our product and service businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.
