The AI Research Commons Midwest Fellows Program is a highly selective, high-energy program designed to identify and empower the next generation of AI-native founders. Launched in collaboration with industry experts and investors from AI Research Commons (ARC), the workshop brings together exceptional students, researchers, and builders from leading Midwest research institutions—including Carnegie Mellon University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Washington University in St. Louis—to explore, build, and launch transformative AI ventures.
The fellows program is built around rapid experimentation, bold thinking, and real-world execution. Participants will work at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence—spanning areas such as foundation models, robotics, healthcare AI, enterprise applications, and energy systems—while engaging directly with top founders, operators, and investors.
Over the course of the program, fellows will:
- Transform breakthrough ideas into tangible prototypes and venture concepts
- Receive hands-on mentorship from leading entrepreneurs and venture capitalists
- Engage with a powerful network of 150+ AI leaders and investors through curated sessions and pitch forums
- Build the foundation for venture-scale companies grounded in deep technology and real market need
The experience is immersive, fast-paced, and deeply collaborative—designed to help participants move from insight to impact in a matter of weeks. While participation does not guarantee investment, teams will gain access to meaningful resources, including substantial cloud and development credits to accelerate AI innovation.