About this opportunity
Liftoff Founders Week runs from 9 to 13 November 2026 at LISA in London and is organised by Pivotal, LISA and UK AI Forum, supported by Coefficient Giving. The week asks participants to start the AI safety organisation that should exist, on problems that no one owns yet.
Each day has a shape. Monday is a kick off to meet other participants and possible co-founders and to study Project Tailwind in depth with funders.
Tuesday and Wednesday are for scoping a problem, writing a theory of change and a 12 month plan and budget, and testing them in office hours with founders, researchers and Coefficient Giving. Thursday is a 10 minute pitch conversation with Coefficient Giving grantmakers, with written feedback the same day.
Friday closes the week and turns the feedback into next steps. The programme pays a £1,000 stipend and covers travel to London and the hotel for the week.
Teams that Coefficient Giving sees as promising then get 2 to 4 weeks of support from LISA and Pivotal to write a full proposal, either at LISA or remotely, against Project Tailwind, whose pre-seed grants range from $200k to $2m. Applications close on 12 October 2026.
The organiser reviews from 12 to 15 October, invites some applicants to a 20 minute call, and sends decisions by 19 October 2026.
What you receive
- A £1,000 stipend for the week
- Travel to London and the hotel for the week covered by the organiser
- Five days in person at LISA with at least 30 founders, research leads and operators
- Office hours with experienced founders, researchers and Coefficient Giving grantmakers
- A 10 minute pitch conversation with Coefficient Giving grantmakers and written feedback the same day
- 2 to 4 weeks of support from LISA and Pivotal to write a full proposal for teams Coefficient Giving sees as promising
- Introductions to possible co-founders, booked travel and a short pre-read after decisions
Who can apply
- Open worldwide, with the FAQ answering I live outside the UK, can I take part with yes, and stating that travel to London and the hotel for the week are paid
- People who want to build in the same area, able to form a team of 2 to 4 or work on their own idea
- No prior AI safety record required, only an indication of which Project Tailwind directions you care about, and directions can be changed during the week
- Attendance for the whole week is expected, with the organiser saying it may be able to make exceptions for outstanding candidates
Documents to prepare
- An application covering your experience, which group describes you best, and which Project Tailwind directions you are most excited about
How to apply
- Complete the Apply form on the Liftoff programme page, which the organiser says takes under 15 minutes
- Wait for the review window from 12 to 15 October 2026, during which some applicants are invited to a 20 minute call
- Receive a decision by 19 October 2026, after which the organiser introduces possible co-founders, books travel and sends a short pre-read
- Attend the week in person at LISA, London from 9 to 13 November 2026
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed from 12 to 15 October 2026 and some applicants are invited to a 20 minute call, with decisions sent by 19 October 2026
- At least 30 participants are expected for the week
- Coefficient Giving picks promising teams after the Thursday pitch, and LISA and Pivotal then help them write a full proposal
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Do I need an AI safety background to apply?
No. You only need to indicate directions from Project Tailwind that you care about, and you can change direction during the week.
I live outside the UK. Can I take part?
Yes. The organiser pays for your travel to London and your hotel for the week.
Do I have to attend the whole week?
Ideally yes. The week is in person at LISA in London from Monday 9 to Friday 13 November 2026, and the organiser says it may be able to make exceptions for outstanding candidates.
Important disclaimer
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