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A Catalyst for AI-Native Startups

Apply to the 3rd cohort of Embed here!

Conviction is a new venture firm purpose-built to serve AI-Native, "Software 3.0" companies, and to help them achieve their potential as the most important companies of tomorrow. If "Software 1.0" was about human-written code, and "Software 2.0" is about dataset labeling, "Software 3.0" will be about manipulating foundation models. We are extremely early in the translation of powerful AI models to powerful end-user products that transform industries.

Frontiers like this are exciting, weird and lonely places, and they are best tackled within small but strong communities. To support these companies on the AI frontier, we launched Embed, a highly selective program for extraordinary early founding teams. Embed harnesses a powerful network and tribal knowledge on company-building, while creating an AI-native community for shared learning and advantage. We've hosted two cohorts so far, and have been lucky to work with amazing companies like Chai, Cognition, Physical Intelligence, and Pika Labs. We're excited to add to that list.

Applications are due by (extended deadline) August 26th. We will host a required in-person retreat in San Francisco September 20th-22nd and an angel & VC investor demo day November 13-14th.

Details

FAQ

Why Embed?

We wrote an essay on why we started Embed here.

What kinds of companies are we looking for?

One of our favorite parts of the job is when founders surprise us with ideas we've never thought about.

That being said, we do spend a lot of time learning about thinking about AI, both what's becoming possible from the research and engineering side and what customers want to buy. We compiled a growing and continuously updated list for where we think important companies might lie.

To be clear, we don't think you have to work on any of these ideas to get in to Embed! We just share them as a way to demonstrate our thinking and a slice of what we're thinking about today.

What kind of founders are we looking for?

We have backed engineers, researchers, product folks, domain experts and dropouts. We gravitate towards technical teams who build with velocity and pragmatism. We're lucky to already be in business with extraordinary founders like Alex, Arthur, Ashish, Bret, Douwe, Gabe, Mustafa, Niki, and Sarah. We're excited to meet more like them.

I just got started/haven't incorporated/don't have a cofounder. Am I too early to apply?

No! We're excited to work with folks from very early on in their journey.

If you're a solo founder or actively looking for a cofounder, fill out the Embed application and check the box for looking for a cofounder or email us at embed [@] conviction.com. We'll be actively helping match participants before and during the program.

I've already raised some money. Are we too late to apply?

No. It is likely some of our cohort will have raised money already, but the focus of Embed is to create a community around extraordinary early teams and to allow them to use one another for support, motivation, and shared learning.

Do I have to be in person in San Francisco?

We don't require teams to be in person other than for a weekend of programming, including fundraising, hiring, other workshops, and a demo event. Other optional community events throughout the program (i.e. dinners, office hours, discussions with advisors and alumni) will be hosted in person.

I'm excited about AI, but not sure if I'm ready to found something. Can I work at one of your startups?

Yes! Please fill out this form & we'll circulate info to folks in the program & host a hiring demo day towards the end of Embed.

I'm a sponsor/mentor/customer who wants to help. How do I get in touch?

We'd love to have you! Please get in touch at embed@conviction.com