OpenAI has introduced a new experiment in talent development with the launch of Grove, a program that focuses less on established startups and more on individuals at the earliest stage of exploration. The initiative, launched in San Francisco, positions itself even before the traditional startup journey begins — before pitch decks, business models, or product prototypes. Grove is aimed at identifying and cultivating talent at the pre-idea stage, creating an environment where curiosity, technical exploration, and open-ended thinking are given priority.
The first Grove cohort consists of fifteen participants, each embarking on a five-week journey that blends immersion, mentorship, and experimentation. The program begins with a week in person at OpenAI’s headquarters, allowing participants to experience the culture and tools driving frontier AI research. After this, the format transitions into hybrid collaboration, with participants working asynchronously while engaging in structured mentorship sessions and workshops. The group later reconvenes in San Francisco for a closing in-person session, rounding off an experience that mirrors a residency more than a traditional startup accelerator.
Unlike conventional accelerators that emphasize funding and fully formed startup plans, Grove’s value proposition lies in mentorship and access to resources. Participants receive direct guidance from OpenAI researchers and engineers, as well as opportunities to engage in workshops designed to expand their scope of inquiry. Rather than pushing for quick answers or immediate company formation, Grove encourages individuals to experiment, stumble, and refine their thinking, effectively stretching the time for discovery before committing to a specific path.
The program stands as a response to what OpenAI views as a limitation in the existing AI startup pipeline, where many accelerators prioritize teams with polished plans over individuals with raw potential. By reversing that equation, Grove opens doors for people who might not otherwise pass traditional venture filters but carry the curiosity and technical drive to make significant contributions. For OpenAI, it also provides a way to directly shape the mindset and culture of the next wave of AI builders.
Questions still surround the program’s long-term structure. It is not yet clear whether participants are expected to produce specific outcomes, whether funding opportunities will emerge, or if OpenAI will claim any stake in intellectual property developed during the program. Accessibility also remains a challenge, given that its opening and closing weeks are anchored to San Francisco. Despite these uncertainties, the initiative signals a shift in OpenAI’s role from being solely a builder of models to acting as a cultivator of the AI ecosystem.
For the broader artificial intelligence community, Grove introduces a new model of institutional support. Instead of compressing time for startups to rapidly scale, it provides individuals with a buffer — a protected space to explore possibilities that may otherwise remain undeveloped. Whether this leads to breakthrough ventures or untested ideas, Grove highlights OpenAI’s belief that scaling minds may be as vital as scaling models in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Read more here: OpenAI Grove Program
