• Source:JND
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OpenAI has announced a new initiative called OpenAI Grove, a mentorship programme designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs developing AI-powered applications. The programme was officially introduced on September 12.

Grove will offer five weeks of structured programming at OpenAI’s headquarters. Participants will receive access to in-person seminars, weekly office hours, and guidance from OpenAI’s technical team. One of the key benefits will be early access to OpenAI’s latest tools and models before they’re released to the public.

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Alongside technical assistance, Grove aims to create a collaborative environment for community support. Participants will also get the chance to explore different growth paths — including the option to raise capital or continue building within or outside of OpenAI’s ecosystem.

This isn’t OpenAI’s first foray into supporting entrepreneurs. In April 2025, the company launched the Pioneer Program, which focused on helping founders shape their ideas in the earliest stages of development—even before building a product.

Key Details About the Grove Programme

First cohort: Begins on October 20, ending on November 21

Participants: Around 15 selected applicants

Application deadline: September 24

Format: In-person, at OpenAI HQ

Perks: Early access to unreleased models, mentorship, community, and funding exploration

At the end of the programme, participants may be offered opportunities to continue working within OpenAI, which recently hit a $500 billion valuation thanks to the success of ChatGPT.

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Industry Context

OpenAI’s Grove launch comes amid a wider trend of tech giants backing emerging AI startups. Last year, Google introduced the Startups Cloud AI Accelerator, and earlier this year, Microsoft for Startups teamed up with PearlX to support pre-seed founders.

According to a J.P. Morgan report, AI startups received 71% of U.S. venture capital in 2025, a massive jump from 45% in 2024. Programmes like Grove are part of this growing wave of support for early AI innovation.