INSEAD AI Venture Lab
Applications are open for the AI Venture Lab Founder Sprint 2027, a free virtual entrepreneurship programme designed to help early stage founders build, test and scale their ventures using artificial intelligence. Organised by the INSEAD AI Venture Lab, the programme brings together entrepreneurs from different countries and industries for practical learning, expert guidance, mentorship and collaboration.
The 10 week sprint is scheduled to run from January 27 to April 2, 2027. It is open to founders worldwide, including entrepreneurs who are still developing an idea, validating a business model or preparing an early product for the market. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with INSEAD or another academic institution, and their startups do not have to focus on developing AI products.
The programme focuses on helping founders understand how AI can improve the way they build and operate a business. Participants will explore research backed venture building frameworks, experiment with AI tools, receive feedback from experienced professionals and learn from peers facing similar entrepreneurial challenges.
The AI Venture Lab Founder Sprint is the flagship programme of the INSEAD AI Venture Lab, an initiative focused on understanding and advancing AI powered entrepreneurship. It combines practical business development with research informed approaches to using artificial intelligence in venture creation.
Over 10 weeks, selected founders work on their own ventures while participating in workshops, technical training, masterclasses, mentor sessions and peer learning activities. The programme encourages entrepreneurs to test assumptions, improve their products and business models, and make informed decisions about growth.
The sprint is structured around several stages. The opening weeks focus on onboarding, peer group introductions and core venture building frameworks. The main development phase encourages founders to apply AI tools to their businesses with support from mentors and study groups. A dedicated venture capital week introduces participants to fundraising considerations and what investors look for in a company. The final weeks focus on testing ideas, refining business strategies and preparing for Demo Day.
The programme does not require founders to leave their existing businesses or commit to full time participation. The expected workload varies by stage, allowing participants to continue working on their ventures alongside the sprint.
Selected founders can access the following benefits:
• Free participation for the full 10 week programme.
• No equity taken from participating startups.
• Research backed frameworks for building, testing and scaling ventures.
• Expert mentorship in entrepreneurship, AI strategy, product development and business growth.
• Small study groups for practical experimentation with AI tools.
• Masterclasses led by experienced entrepreneurs, investors and AI specialists.
• Peer learning and weekly check ins with a curated international founder community.
• Opportunities to receive feedback on business strategy and fundraising readiness.
• Access to selected partner resources, credits and discounts.
• Visibility through the programme's final Demo Day activities.
• Opportunities to connect with mentors, operators, investors and other members of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The programme also indicates that non dilutive prize money will be available through Demo Day. The amount and specific award arrangements should be confirmed through the organisers.
The Founder Sprint is organised into four main phases.
• Onboarding, Weeks 1 and 2: Participants meet their peer groups, establish working routines and learn the core venture building frameworks. The expected commitment is approximately four to five hours per week.
• Build, Weeks 3 to 7: Founders apply AI tools to their own ventures through study groups, masterclasses and mentor sessions. The expected commitment is approximately two to three hours per week.
• Venture Capital Week, Week 8: Participants explore the fundraising landscape and the characteristics investors consider when assessing startups. Selected ventures may receive direct feedback from investors to help refine their pitches.
• Testing and Refinement, Weeks 9 and 10: Founders improve their work using mentor feedback and prepare for the concluding Demo Day activities. The expected commitment is approximately two to three hours per week.
Demo Day venues will be announced by the organisers.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be an early stage founder based anywhere in the world.
• Be developing a startup, venture or business idea, from the initial ideation stage through early execution.
• Ideally have a minimum viable product or an existing product, although ideas are also welcome.
• Have a clear vision for the venture and a strong motivation to develop it.
• Be willing to participate actively in the programme and apply the learning to their business.
• Be able to participate in English.
• Be interested in using AI to build, test or scale a venture.
Applicants should prepare to explain their venture and entrepreneurial goals through the online application.
Relevant information may include:
• Details about the founder and their entrepreneurial background.
• A description of the startup, business idea or venture.
• The problem the venture intends to solve and the people it serves.
• The current stage of development, including any existing product or minimum viable product.
• The founder's vision and motivation for participating.
• How the programme could help the venture develop, test or scale.
• The applicant's availability and commitment to participating in the sprint.
Applicants can consult the official application form and its accompanying preparation document for the exact questions and information requested.
The AI Venture Lab looks beyond the development stage of a startup when assessing potential participants. Its stated priorities include:
• Clarity of vision and motivation.
• The founder's commitment to engaging fully with the programme.
• The potential to apply AI and venture building methods to practical business challenges.
• A diverse cohort across geographical regions, sectors and backgrounds.
• The opportunity to make meaningful progress during the 10 week sprint.
Having an established product may strengthen an application, but it is not an absolute requirement. Founders at the idea stage are also eligible to apply.
Interested applicants can follow these steps:
INSEAD AI Venture Lab
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