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AI Grant

$250k no-cap, no-discount MFN SAFE · Global; accepted companies form a Delaware C corporation · Between cohorts

AI Grant is a selective global program for AI-native startups. Batch 4 offered $250,000 through a no-cap, no-discount MFN SAFE, $350,000 in Azure credits plus other partner support, a founder summit, and Demo Day; the intake is now closed and accepted companies must be Delaware C corporations.

Tier 1 · ranked #9aicredits

Official siteOpen in the live directory

Current application context

Program intake

Between cohorts

Applications are currently closed between program cycles.

What the source says

“Applications for Batch 4 are closed”

Checked Aug 21, 2026Changed Aug 21, 2026Authoritative source ↗

Key facts

Check size$250k plus $350k Azure credits and other benefits
Terms$250k no-cap, no-discount MFN SAFE
StageAI pre-seed
ApplicationsBetween cohorts
LocationGlobal; accepted companies form a Delaware C corporation
Remote friendlyYes
Warm intro neededNo — open application
Sectorsai
Statusclosed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Background

AI Grant is backed by Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross and operated by Hersh Desai and Lenny Bogdonoff. Earlier backed companies named on the official site include Cursor, Perplexity, Replicate, Pika, and Browserbase, giving the program unusually strong AI-specific downstream signal.

How the application really works

Applications were public and solo founders were eligible. Batch 4 is closed; finalists proceed through program selection and accepted companies must satisfy the Delaware C-corporation requirement.

Tips

Watch out for

Track record

Described as selective, but no current acceptance rate or cohort size is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this program currently accepting applications?
Applications were public and solo founders were eligible. Batch 4 is closed; finalists proceed through program selection and accepted companies must satisfy the Delaware C-corporation requirement.
What are the current economics?
$250k via an uncapped, no-discount MFN SAFE; founders should model how the MFN right could adopt later SAFE terms.
How large and long is the program?
The official site does not publish Batch 4 application volume or cohort size. Capital and compute support plus an in-person summit and investor Demo Day.
Can founders participate remotely?
Global applications are allowed; required summit or Demo Day travel should be confirmed.
What happens after the program?
Demo Day and a strong AI founder/alumni network provide follow-on exposure; no automatic follow-on check is promised.

Related accelerators

Thiel Fellowship$250k grant over two years · GlobalPearX$250k-$2M · Global / San Francisco Bay AreaGreylock EdgeFlexible: priced seed, uncapped SAFE, or no capital · USHF0Current standard terms not publicly specified · US / San FranciscoTechstars$220k standard; $120k APAC exception · Global; program-specific hubsIterative Accelerator$150k-$500k · Southeast Asia / Singapore

Sources