Liftoff Founders Week 2026 is inviting applications from founders, research leads and operators interested in creating new organisations addressing important challenges in AI safety. The five-day, in-person programme will bring together at least 30 participants in London to develop ideas, identify potential co-founders, engage with researchers and funders, and explore opportunities for future funding. The programme will take place from 9 to 13 November 2026 at LISA in London, United Kingdom. Participants will receive a £1,000 stipend, while travel to London and hotel accommodation for the week will also be covered. Application deadline: 12 October 2026 About Liftoff Founders Week Liftoff Founders Week is organised by Pivotal, LISA and UK AI Forum, with support from Coefficient Giving. The programme is connected to Project Tailwind, Coefficient Giving’s initiative supporting founders who want to establish ambitious AI safety projects focused on problems that do not yet have organisations dedicated to addressing them. Project Tailwind offers pre-seed grants ranging from $200,000 to $2 million. Liftoff Founders Week provides a structured environment for prospective founders to develop ideas and determine whether they could become viable projects. Participants do not need to arrive with a fully developed organisation or an existing co-founder. The programme is designed to help participants explore ideas, test assumptions and potentially form founding teams. Programme Details Programme: Liftoff Founders WeekDates: 9–13 November 2026Location: LISA, London, UKFormat: In personStipend: £1,000Travel: CoveredHotel accommodation: CoveredParticipants: At least 30Application deadline: 12 October 2026Preferred attendance: Full five-day programme International applicants are welcome. The organisers state that travel to London and hotel accommodation will be funded for participants. What Happens During Founders Week? The programme follows a structured five-day process designed to help participants move from an initial idea towards a potential organisation or funding proposal. Before the programme, selected participants prepare by learning about the cohort and exploring the Project Tailwind areas that interest them. Monday focuses on meeting other participants and potential co-founders, understanding Project Tailwind and connecting with funders. Tuesday and Wednesday focus on defining the problem, developing a theory of change, preparing a first-year plan and budget, and building the case for the proposed founding team. Participants can test their ideas through office hours with founders, researchers and Coefficient Giving. Thursday involves a 10-minute pitch conversation with Coefficient Giving grantmakers, followed by written feedback on the same day. Friday provides an opportunity to consider the feedback received and determine the next steps. Following the programme, teams considered promising by Coefficient Giving may receive two to four weeks of support from LISA and Pivotal to develop a full proposal. What Participants Receive Selected participants can benefit from: A £1,000 stipend. Covered travel costs to London. Covered hotel accommodation during the programme. Opportunities to meet potential co-founders. Direct interaction with experienced founders, researchers and grantmakers. Office hours and feedback on proposed projects. A pitch and feedback opportunity with Coefficient Giving grantmakers. Potential post-programme support to develop a full funding proposal. Access to a network of founders and funders working in AI safety. Funding applications submitted through the programme are expected to receive a response within two weeks of Liftoff. Who Can Apply? The programme is aimed at people who have demonstrated an ability to build, lead, research or operate projects. Founders may have previously built or managed an organisation, programme or product. Research leads may have a track record in AI safety or a related field and be capable of leading a substantial research initiative. Operators may bring expertise in areas such as operations, communications or fieldbuilding that a new organisation would require. Applicants do not need to have a co-founder. Participants can apply independently and will have opportunities to meet people with related interests before and during the programme. What the Organisers Look For Applicants are expected to demonstrate a relevant track record, which may include work in AI safety, research, policy or fieldbuilding. Experience building an organisation, programme, product or research agenda is also relevant. Founder and operational experience are specifically valued. Applicants should also be able to explain why they want to build something new, rather than joining an existing laboratory or organisation. A fully developed idea is not required. Applicants only need to identify Project Tailwind directions that interest them, and they may change direction during the week. How to Strengthen the Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate what they have previously built, led or contributed to and explain how that experience relates to AI safety or the development of new organisations. It can also be useful to identify specific Project Tailwind areas of interest and explain what motivates the applicant to investigate those problems. Since the application is designed to take less than 15 minutes, applicants should provide concise but specific examples of their experience, capabilities and motivation. Application Timeline The application process follows the schedule below: 12 October 2026: Applications close. 12–15 October: Applications are reviewed and some applicants are invited to a 20-minute call. By 19 October: Application decisions are sent. After 19 October: Selected participants are introduced to potential co-founders, travel is arranged and pre-reading is provided. 9–13 November: Liftoff Founders Week takes place at LISA in London. How to Apply Applicants should complete the online application form and provide information about their experience, the applicant category that best describes them and the Project Tailwind directions that interest them most. The organisers state that applications can be submitted by people living outside the United Kingdom, with travel and hotel costs covered for participants. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.