OpenAI opens Grove program for early-stage AI company builders
OpenAI has opened applications for the next cohort of OpenAI Grove, a program designed for individuals at the very start of building an AI-focused company, including those who have not yet formed a product idea.
The program, which runs from January to February 2026, positions OpenAI closer to early-stage technical talent by offering structured access to researchers, tools, and peer networks before participants formally launch companies.
Five-week, in-person program hosted at OpenAI HQ
OpenAI Grove is structured as a five-week program hosted at OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters, with required in-person sessions during the first and final weeks. Participants are expected to commit an additional four to six hours per week to asynchronous work, workshops, and community engagement.
The cohort will include approximately fifteen participants. OpenAI states that applicants may apply individually or as part of a small group, and that participation is not limited to those building directly on OpenAI’s APIs. Unlike traditional startup accelerators, the program is positioned as pre-idea and exploratory, with an emphasis on early concept development rather than venture-backed growth.
During the program, participants will work alongside OpenAI researchers and technical staff, with opportunities to engage with new OpenAI tools and models ahead of general availability. OpenAI indicates that this access is intended to support experimentation and technical learning rather than product commercialization.
Following completion, participants may explore external funding options, pursue internal opportunities, or continue building independently. OpenAI describes Grove as the foundation of a longer-term network rather than a single cohort-based initiative.
Distinct from OpenAI’s existing startup programs
OpenAI Grove sits alongside, but separate from, OpenAI’s other startup initiatives, including OpenAI for Startups and Pioneers, which focus on companies that already have products or domain-specific direction.
By targeting individuals earlier in the company-building lifecycle, Grove reflects a broader trend in the AI sector toward influencing how technical founders form ideas, teams, and infrastructure before entering the market.
Applications for the January 2026 cohort close on January 12.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
