OpenAI Grove: A Five-Week Launchpad for Pre-Idea AI Founders

OpenAI launched Grove, a five-week program for pre-idea and early-stage AI builders focused on community, mentorship, and co-building with researchers. The first cohort (~15 people) runs Oct 20–Nov 21, 2025, with required in-person sessions in San Francisco during the first and last weeks and 4–6 hours of asynchronous work in between. Applications are due Sept 24, 2025; teams are welcome, projects need not use OpenAI APIs, and participants receive early tool access plus credits and capital introductions.

Key Points

• OpenAI Grove is a five-week, community-driven program for very early-stage or pre-idea AI builders, emphasizing mentorship, co-building with researchers, and a strong peer network.
• First cohort: ~15 participants; program dates are Oct 20–Nov 21, 2025, with required in-person sessions in San Francisco during the first and last weeks (travel covered).
• Applications are due September 24, 2025; individuals from all backgrounds and teams are welcome.
• Participants get early access to new OpenAI tools and models, plus benefits like credits and introductions to raise capital.
• Products do not need to be built on OpenAI’s APIs; time commitment is about 4–6 hours per week.

Sentiment

Leaning negative/skeptical: most commenters view Grove as a talent/recruiting and idea-harvesting initiative, with few explicitly supportive takes.

In Agreement

• It’s primarily a low-cost way to identify and connect with technical talent and potential co-builders rather than a capital deployment vehicle.
• An AI-focused, early-stage program could make sense given current market traction for AI startups.
• Positioning the program earlier than typical accelerators aligns with cultivating a dense talent network before ideas solidify.

Opposed

• This looks like a recruiting program and idea-harvesting funnel rather than genuine founder support.
• It suggests OpenAI may be running out of internal product ideas (e.g., snark about a LinkedIn clone) and is outsourcing ideation.
• It resembles a YC clone driven by Sam Altman nostalgia rather than a unique program design.
• Potential misalignment with major backers (e.g., Microsoft, SoftBank) who might object to funds or focus being diverted.
• Skepticism about the "pre-idea individuals" framing, read as vague or marketing-heavy.
• Concerns or uncertainty about geographic eligibility and whether non-US participants can be supported.