“Participants will enjoy early access to OpenAI’s new AI tools and models, plus expert technical support and community guidance”Participants will get early access to OpenAI’s latest tools and models, along with technical support and a strong community network.”
On September 12, OpenAI announced a new mentorship program called “OpenAI Grove.” The initiative is designed to support young entrepreneurs who want to build innovative applications using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The program will run for five weeks at OpenAI’s headquarters, offering participants access to weekly office hours, in-person workshops, curated learning materials, and direct guidance from OpenAI’s technical experts. Entrepreneurs will also get early access to OpenAI’s latest tools and AI models before they are released to the public, along with technical support and a collaborative community network.
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to explore options for raising capital or pursuing alternative growth paths, either within OpenAI’s ecosystem or externally.
This new program follows OpenAI’s earlier “Pioneer Program,” launched in April, which was created to guide budding entrepreneurs even at the pre-idea stage, before moving into execution.
The first Grove cohort will begin on October 20 and run until November 21, 2025, with around 15 participants. Interested applicants must submit their applications by September 24, 2025.
“Grove is designed to accelerate the journey of AI entrepreneurs by giving them access to resources, mentorship, and tools that can shape the next generation of AI-powered businesses,” said an OpenAI spokesperson.
“Grove’s very first batch kicks off on October 20 and runs until November 21, bringing together about 15 entrepreneurs. Anyone interested in joining has until September 24 to apply.”
The program builds on OpenAI’s earlier “Pioneer Program,” launched in April 2025, which helped entrepreneurs at the pre-idea stage move closer to execution. With Grove, OpenAI aims to provide deeper support for founders who are ready to scale their innovations.
“Upon completion of the program, participants may have the opportunity to continue working with OpenAI, the $500 billion company behind ChatGPT.
At the same time, other tech giants are also backing AI startups. Google launched its Startups Cloud AI Accelerator last year, while Microsoft for Startups partnered with PearlX this April to introduce an accelerator program for pre-seed businesses.
These initiatives highlight the surge of investment flowing into the AI ecosystem. According to a J.P. Morgan study, AI companies received 71% of U.S. venture funding in 2025, a sharp increase from 45% in the previous year.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that AI benefits all of humanity. Through its cutting-edge tools, models, and initiatives like the Pioneer Program and Grove, OpenAI supports innovation and empowers entrepreneurs to create impactful AI-driven solutions.