OpenAI announces Grove program for early-stage AI company builders

OpenAI

OpenAI has introduced a new initiative called OpenAI Grove, designed to support individuals who are at the very beginning of their company-building journey in artificial intelligence. Unlike a traditional startup accelerator, the program focuses on pre-idea talent and provides access to mentorship, technical guidance, and early exposure to OpenAI’s latest tools.

Program details
The Grove program is aimed at people with curiosity and technical ambition but who may not yet have a fully formed startup idea. Participants will be immersed in a five-week program hosted at OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco. The structure will include in-person workshops, weekly office hours, and one-on-one mentoring sessions with OpenAI researchers and technical leaders.

The program is not just about technical training. It is intended to create a long-term network of founders, researchers, and innovators who can collaborate as they explore early concepts. Participants will be part of a close-knit community, sharing knowledge with peers and receiving guidance on shaping their initial directions.

Benefits for participants

One of the key advantages of OpenAI Grove is access to OpenAI’s newest models and tools before they become widely available. This hands-on exposure will help participants experiment and test their ideas quickly. Alongside technical support, participants will also gain advice on potential pathways after the program, including whether to raise capital or pursue opportunities within or outside of OpenAI.

The program is open to people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, not only those with prior startup experience. OpenAI emphasizes that individuals at the “pre-idea” stage are encouraged to apply, signaling that the program is focused more on talent and potential than on existing products.

Application and timeline

The first Grove cohort will include around fifteen participants. Applications are now open, and the deadline to apply is September 24, 2025. The selected participants will take part in the five-week program in San Francisco, working closely with OpenAI’s team and engaging with the wider community.