The IOG Foundation, which oversees io.net, has unveiled a major new initiative aimed at boosting innovation in artificial intelligence. Through its newly launched Grant Program, the organization will distribute 20 million $IO tokens (approximately $15 million) and offer free or discounted access to compute infrastructure. The program is designed to support AI startups, researchers, and developers who are pushing the boundaries of large language models (LLMs) and other computationally intensive innovations.
High-performance computing is one of the most significant barriers in modern AI development. Without access to affordable and scalable GPU infrastructure, many promising projects are unable to iterate, test, or scale their solutions effectively. The IOG Foundation’s Grant Program directly addresses this pain point, empowering creators to experiment and build without the limitations of traditional centralized cloud infrastructure.
Selected recipients will gain access to io.net’s distributed GPU clusters and a suite of tools tailored to training and deploying AI systems efficiently.
“Enabling Builders To Think Outside The Box”
The Grant Program reflects the IOG Foundation’s ongoing commitment to democratize access to critical AI infrastructure and promote decentralization in cloud computing. By removing structural and financial barriers, the foundation aims to accelerate the adoption of decentralized infrastructure across real-world AI applications.
Tory Green, Chairperson of IOG Foundation, emphasized this commitment, stating: “IOG Foundation’s Grant Program is the next step in expanding support for the AI community. By backing ambitious startups, researchers, and developers with $IO tokens to accelerate their growth, we’re enabling builders to think outside the box and create exciting applications powered by equitable, decentralized infrastructure.”
Support for the Brightest AI Builders
The program aims to empower a diverse range of AI builders with the necessary resources to bring their innovations to life.
Gaurav Sharma, CEO of io.net, added: “Our full-stack infrastructure already reduces the cost of compute for developers of all sizes, but the most innovative teams still struggle to test and iterate on their ideas. IOG Foundation is taking a bold step forward, making 20 million $IO tokens available to the AI community’s best and brightest.”
Eligibility and Appplication Process
The IOG Foundation is now accepting applications from:
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AI/ML startups at early or growth stages
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Research teams, individual builders, and open-source contributors
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Teams participating in the inaugural io.net hackathon, launching during SuperAI Singapore on 18-19 June 2025
Grants will be awarded to teams with promising ideas, products in development, or live AI-powered platforms. Priority will be given to projects with innovative, impactful, and scalable roadmaps that can leverage io.net’s distributed GPU infrastructure, particularly those led by individuals with a proven track record of innovation, strong execution, and a long-term vision for meaningful impact. Applications should include a clear technical plan with realistic milestones.
With this initiative, the IOG Foundation is not just funding ideas; it is laying the foundation for a more open, equitable, and innovative future for AI.
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