Founder, Entrepreneur in Residence - AI2 Incubator

You Have the Skills and Domain Expertise. Now Seize the Opportunity to Lead the AI Revolution.

AI is transforming industries, and those who truly understand its power are in a unique position to build companies that define the future. Don’t watch from the sidelines as others with less technical depth or less domain expertise capitalize on this moment. You have what it takes to lead, and the window to make your mark is now.

What We Do

Any VC can write a check, but what truly sets us apart is our unparalleled technical and AI expertise.

As a founder in our incubator, you’ll gain access to more than just advice. With our heritage at the Allen Institute for AI—founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen—we’ve been singularly focused on commercializing AI long before it became a buzzword. Our core team includes pioneers like Oren Etzioni, a leader in AI for over three decades, and our deep technical expertise means we don’t just back you financially—we help you build breakthrough products, navigate complex challenges, and accelerate your company’s growth.

Why Us?

We’re not just investors—we’re your partners for the long haul. This isn’t a typical 12-week accelerator. We work with founders for 12 to 18 months, providing hands-on support and resources throughout the journey. And even after that, we stay involved as your biggest champions and cheerleaders. Beyond your mom and dad, there’s no one who will work harder or want you to succeed more than we do. Here’s how we help turn your idea into a world-class company:

1. $500,000 in Pre-Seed Funding to Jumpstart Your Growth:

We invest up to $500,000 in each company, providing essential early-stage capital that helps founders focus on building without the immediate pressure of fundraising. This cash infusion allows founders to quit their jobs, allows teams to hire key talent, develop their product, and validate their market—all before needing to raise additional funds. With this solid foundation, founders can move faster, test their ideas, and gain traction, positioning themselves for long-term success.

2. Founder-Friendly Terms That Set You Up for Success:

Our incubator offers highly founder-friendly terms designed to help you succeed without the burden of giving up excessive equity or control. We’ve modeled our economic structure to be competitive with top programs like Y Combinator, ensuring that our investment terms are fair, transparent, and focused on long-term success. We know that early-stage equity is precious, so our goal is to provide the resources, capital, and support you need to grow—while keeping you firmly in the driver’s seat of your company. It’s a partnership built on shared success, and we’re committed to making sure you have the runway and freedom to build something truly transformative.

3. Cofounder Matching:

Finding the right co-founder can make or break a startup, which is why we put significant effort into helping you find the perfect match. Our process begins by understanding your vision, strengths, and gaps, both technical and strategic. We tap into our extensive network of talented AI researchers, engineers, product leaders, and entrepreneurs to identify individuals who complement your skill set and share your ambition. Once we identify potential matches, we facilitate introductions and structured working sessions, allowing you to collaborate on small projects to gauge chemistry and alignment. Throughout this process, we offer guidance on what to look for in a co-founder and help evaluate fit, ensuring you build a team with shared values and complementary expertise. By the end, you’re not just partnering with someone who fills a role—you’re joining forces with a co-founder who shares your passion and vision, creating a solid foundation for your company’s success.

4. Unmatched Technical Support:

• AI Tech Stack Guidance:

Setting up a modern, scalable tech stack is complex. We’ll guide you in choosing the best tools and infrastructure to build robust systems that can handle growth from day one.

• AI Compute Resources:

You won’t have to worry about compute costs for your first 1-2 years. Through partnerships with Amazon, Google, and other data centers, you’ll have access to up to $1M in AI compute resources, including cloud credits and cutting-edge custom silicon for training AI models. This means more experimentation, faster iteration, and reduced costs as you build.

• Knowledge Sharing & Community:

Our community of 100+ AI founders treat each other like an alma mater. They actively share knowledge on applied AI, data processing, product design, and engineering management. From casual Slack chats to deep-dive technical sessions, you’ll always have access to insights that can solve tough problems and help your company move faster.

• Product Design Excellence:

First impressions matter. Our world-class product design team will help you put your best foot forward with beautiful UX/UI, pitch decks, logos, landing pages, and more. We make sure your brand and product communicate quality from day one. Ultimately, it’s about bringing your product vision to life.

• Cutting-Edge AI Research:

Stay ahead of the curve. Through our relationships with hundreds of AI PhDs, researchers, professors, and more, we have unrivaled access to the latest AI breakthroughs. We’ll help you leverage the most recent advancements to ensure your product remains at the forefront of technology

5. Global Reach with a Local Touch:

While our home base is in Seattle, we work with founders from all over the world. Our portfolio includes companies based in New York, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Montreal, and more. We believe that innovation knows no borders, so you don’t need to be in Seattle to succeed. We only ask that founders spend approximately one week per quarter with us in Seattle to build community, form strong relationships, and gain access to unique in-person experiences and support. Otherwise, you are free to stay put in your current city. No need to split a $5,000/mo San Francisco apartment with 15 other people.

6. AI House—A Hub for Innovation:

We’re also launching the new AI House in downtown Seattle, in partnership with the Mayor of Seattle, to serve as a central hub for the region’s AI community. The AI House will be a catalyst for Seattle’s AI ecosystem, bringing together the city’s world-class AI talent—including researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs—from its leading universities, tech giants, and vibrant startup scene. By providing a centralized space for collaboration, it will create a thriving community where ideas are shared and groundbreaking advancements are accelerated. The AI House will also fill a critical cultural gap, hosting events, workshops, and networking opportunities to foster regular engagement and dialogue, transforming Seattle into a premier hub for AI thought leadership and innovation. Most events will be live-streamed, so you will still be able to participate remotely.

7. Proven Success:

Our track record speaks for itself. With $250M in venture funding raised by our portfolio companies—and multiple nine-figure exits—we’ve demonstrated our ability to turn innovative ideas into thriving companies. Some highlights include:

• Lexion acquired by Docusign (https://www.geekwire.com/2024/docusign-to-acquire-lexion-for-165m-in-exit-for-seattle-based-ai-contract-management-company)
• XNOR acquired by Apple (https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/15/apple-buys-edge-based-ai-startup-xnor-ai-for-a-reported-200m/)
• Birch acquired by Sagility (https://www.geekwire.com/2024/ai2-spinout-birchai-makers-of-customer-support-software-acquired-by-health-tech-company-sagility/)
• Kitt acquired by Baidu (https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/05/baidu-acquires-natural-language-startup-kitt-ai-maker-of-chatbot-engine-chatflow/)

And more!

Who We Work With

From first-time founders to experienced entrepreneurs, we collaborate with innovators of all backgrounds. Here’s who we typically work with:

• AI Researchers: Driven to translate cutting-edge research into impactful real-world applications.
• Software Engineers: Ready to transition from BigTech or deep-tech startups to build their own ventures.
• Scientists: Experienced in life, physical, health, or climate sciences, eager to commercialize breakthrough research.
• Product Leaders: Proven visionaries with the ability to transform ideas into products that customers love.
• Small Teams/Startups: Already have some traction? We can help you accelerate growth and scale rapidly.

At the end of the day, we seek founders who embody a unique blend of intelligence, drive, curiosity, and humility, along with a sharp instinct for finding a path to revenue. These traits are what enable entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, adapt quickly, and turn visionary ideas into sustainable businesses. It’s not just about technical skills or a great concept—it’s about having the grit and resourcefulness to make it a reality. And of course, we’ll help coach you every step of the way.

Commitment to Diversity

We’re dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment and ensuring every founder has equal access to entrepreneurial opportunities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to building a community where diverse perspectives thrive.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s talk! We’re excited to hear your ideas!