AI2 Incubator, based in Seattle and run by the Allen Institute for AI (AI2), works with founders turning cutting-edge research into real-world AI companies. This is not a high-volume, pitch-deck-first accelerator — it’s a founder-first program focused on helping a small group of teams build, launch, and grow applied AI products.
Each year, ~15 teams are selected. The program runs on a rolling basis: no fixed batch dates, no relocation required. Founders can stay in their city or join the AI House in Seattle, one of the most active applied AI hubs in the US.
Funding & terms:
- Up to $600,000 on a SAFE with a $10M cap
- Up to $1,000,000 in free, non-dilutive cloud credits
- AI2 takes 7% in common stock — the same class as the founders, not preferred equity
Support includes:
- Deep, hands-on help from researchers, operators, and venture partners
- Technical reviews, model development, UX/UI design, GTM strategy, pricing, and hiring
- Intros to enterprise customers and pilot partners
- Full-stack design support for product, decks, and websites
- Ongoing mentorship after spin-out
- Warm intros to investors and support for raising your next round
This isn’t a short bootcamp. Most companies spend up to 12 months in incubation — with personalized guidance across every stage: idea validation, MVP building, early traction, fundraising readiness, and growth.
The outcomes:
- 90%+ of teams raise VC
- 24% of alumni companies have already exited
- $400M+ raised by AI2-backed startups
The approach:
AI2 backs two types of founders: technical builders with deep AI expertise, and domain experts with strong industry insight. Many teams combine both profiles.
The incubator focuses on areas where applied AI can solve real problems: climate, fintech, healthcare, logistics, govtech, edtech, compliance, materials, and more.
You don’t need to fit a specific vertical to apply — but if you're working on one of these problem spaces, the AI2 team brings the infrastructure, expertise, and investor network to accelerate your path forward.
The new AI2 Fund
AI2 Incubator has launched an $80M third fund, expanding its capacity to support applied AI startups in Seattle and beyond. The fund is designed to back around 70 companies over the next four years and is supported by investors such as Khosla Ventures, Point72 Ventures, Madrona, BHP Ventures, and SBI Group. This new fund builds on the incubator’s earlier $30M Fund II and strengthens AI2’s strategy of supporting founders with deep technical grounding and real-world domain expertise.
More info and application: https://www.ai2incubator.com/