Liftoff Founders · LISA in London
Applications are open for the Liftoff Founders Week 2026, an intensive five day programme in London designed for founders, research leads and operators interested in building new organisations and projects in the field of artificial intelligence safety. The programme brings together at least 30 founders, researchers, operators and funders for an intensive period of idea development, team formation and project planning.
Liftoff Founders Week is connected to Project Tailwind, an initiative supported by Coefficient Giving that seeks ambitious new projects addressing important artificial intelligence safety problems that may currently lack dedicated organisations or teams. Project Tailwind offers pre seed grants ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, creating a potential funding pathway for promising ideas developed through the programme.
The five day experience gives participants the opportunity to explore an idea, connect with potential co founders, receive feedback from experienced people in the field and discuss their projects directly with funders. Applicants do not need to have a finished idea or an existing co founder before applying. Participants may develop an idea individually or form a team of between two and four people during the programme.
Liftoff Founders Week is designed to help experienced individuals move from an existing track record in artificial intelligence safety or a related area toward launching a new project or organisation.
During the week, participants work alongside other founders, research leads and operators while exploring problems that could benefit from new organisations or initiatives. The programme provides structured opportunities to test ideas, receive feedback and identify complementary skills among other participants.
The programme is particularly relevant to people who have experience in research, policy, fieldbuilding, operations, communications or entrepreneurship and who are interested in starting something new rather than simply joining an existing organisation.
Participants will also have opportunities to interact with grantmakers and receive feedback on their project proposals. Funding applications submitted through the programme are expected to receive a response within two weeks after Liftoff.
• £1,000 stipend for participants
• Travel costs to London covered
• Hotel accommodation covered for the programme week
• Five days of intensive project development in London
• Opportunities to meet potential co founders
• Possibility to form founding teams of two to four people
• Access to experienced founders, researchers and grantmakers
• Office hours and feedback on project ideas
• Opportunities to pitch ideas directly to funders
• Funding consideration through Project Tailwind
• Up to four weeks of additional support for promising teams
• Support from LISA with preparing a full funding proposal
• Professional network of founders, researchers and funders working in artificial intelligence safety
• A clearer plan for what to build after the programme
Liftoff Founders Week focuses on opportunities connected to artificial intelligence safety and related areas where new organisations or projects could address important gaps.
Relevant areas include:
• Artificial intelligence safety research
• Artificial intelligence policy
• AI safety fieldbuilding
• Research organisations and initiatives
• Operations for new organisations
• Communications and community building
• New products and programmes addressing AI safety challenges
• Other emerging areas aligned with Project Tailwind
The programme is particularly interested in applicants who can identify an important problem and explain why a new organisation, programme or research effort is needed.
• Founders who have previously built or run an organisation, programme or product
• Research leads with a track record in artificial intelligence safety or a related field
• Operators with strong skills in areas such as operations, communications or fieldbuilding
• Applicants with experience in AI safety, research, policy or related fields
• Applicants who have started or led an organisation, programme, product or research agenda
• Applicants who can demonstrate meaningful work or achievements in a relevant area
• Applicants who can clearly explain why they want to build something new
• Applicants who do not yet have a finished idea may apply
• Applicants do not need to have a co founder before applying
• International applicants are welcome
• Information about previous work and experience
• Details about the applicant's background and track record
• Identification of the applicant category, such as founder, research lead or operator
• Information about organisations, programmes, products or research initiatives previously built or led
• Relevant experience in artificial intelligence safety or related fields
• An explanation of the applicant's motivation for starting something new
• Indication of the Project Tailwind directions that interest the applicant most
• Any other information requested through the official application form
LISA in London
Liftoff Founders
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