The AI Research Commons Midwest Fellows Program is a highly selective program connecting high-potential, inception-stage AI startups emerging from leading Midwest research universities with infrastructure, mentorship, and national investor networks. Launched in collaboration with the AI Research Commons (ARC), Microsoft, and NVIDIA, the program is open to faculty, students, and researchers from the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Washington University in St. Louis.
These eight institutions came together last month to form Third Coast Foundry, a new San Francisco–based hub designed to strengthen the Midwest’s collective presence in one of the world’s most active venture ecosystems. ARC is a collaborative platform built to support early-stage AI companies emerging from leading research institutions. Working alongside university innovation teams at Third Coast Foundry institutions, ARC will identify and select the highest-quality AI founding teams and give them a structured pathway to scale including cloud infrastructure, one-on-one technical guidance, co-working space in San Francisco, hands-on mentorship from experienced AI operators and investors, and curated access to Bay Area venture capital.
Selected companies will receive:
- Up to $350K in Startup credits on eligible services through Microsoft for Startups, access to leading AI models through Azure, 1:1 technical guidance from Microsoft experts, and discounts on essential tools like GitHub, Microsoft 365, and LinkedIn Premium.
- Benefits from NVIDIA’s Inception Program for Startups, including access to the latest developer tools and training, preferred pricing on NVIDIA hardware and software, exclusive offers from partners, and exposure to a global ecosystem of investors.
- Hands-on mentorship from experienced AI operators, researchers, and investors.
- Co-working space at the Third Coast Foundry, located in San Francisco’s AI corridor.
- An invitation to present to AI Pathfinders at Mayfield, an exclusive community of leading AI founders, operators, and industry executives.
- An opportunity to showcase at Mayfield AI Start, a curated gathering of emerging AI-focused venture capital managers.
To apply, submit your application here by May 1, 2026. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Dev Gavaskar at dgavaskar@uchicago.edu.