AI Residency

A NYC-based startup accelerator, investing $500,000 in teams that are building design-led consumer AI products.

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The Future is Being Written Today

The tech industry is at a pivotal inflection point. Just as mobile reshaped computing in the 2000s, AI is redrawing the creative canvas. Right now, small teams are shaping what AI will mean for the next decade. At AIR, we are helping those founders lead the way.

Backed by Collaborative Fund and in partnership with Fictive Kin, AIR is a 10-week program running June 23 to August 29, 2025 in New York City. We back design-led founders building consumer AI products that feel new, human, and deeply personal. More than capital, we offer a creative space where intent matters more than scale, and taste is a competitive edge. If that appeals to you, apply to join us.

Program Snapshot

  • 10 weeks in New York City
  • $500K investment for 10% equity
  • Workshops, feedback sessions, and 1:1s with experts
  • Creative workspace in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
  • A curated demo day with aligned investors

Have more questions? Jump to FAQ. A few answers:

  • Solo founders welcome? Yes.
  • Need to be in NYC? Not required, but ideal.
  • IP ownership? Yours, always.

Advisors

  • Scott Belsky

    Partner, A24; Founder, Author, Investor

  • Alejandro Matamala Ortiz

    Co-founder/CDO, RunwayML

  • Paula Scher

    Partner, Pentagram

  • Ian Taylor

    Co-founder, Segment

  • Reggie James

    Founded Eternal (acq)

  • Jessica Hische

    Studioworks Co-Founder, Designer, Best-selling Author

  • Russ Maschmeyer

    Design Director, GenAI, Meta

  • Pim De Witte

    Co-founder/CEO, Highlight

  • Kristy Tillman

    Design Leader, Writer, Investor

  • Carl Rivera

    Chief Design Officer, Shopify

  • Rob Giampietro

    Head of Creative, Notion

  • Josh Brewer

    VP of Design, Jasper AI

  • Kevin Twohy

    Founder & Principal, Twohy Design Works

  • Daren Gill

    Senior Director, Product, Spotify

  • Lee Linden

    Founder, Quiet Capital, Entrepreneur. Early Stage Investor

  • Dwipal Desai

    Product Lead, AI Innovation, Google

Our Beliefs

  1. Design will be the differentiator

    Execution is no longer scarce. Creativity is. While others obsess over model parameters and benchmarks, the winners will be crafting narratives and experiences that resonate at a human level. Teams with exceptional design sensibility, brand clarity, and storytelling ability will create the enduring companies of this era.

  2. Depth is the new scale

    Tomorrow’s breakout products won’t just serve more people, they’ll serve people more meaningfully. Products will feel tailor-made for each individual because, increasingly, they will be. These intimate user experiences will create rich emotional connections. Eames’ Powers of Ten provides a helpful reminder of just how much potential lies with zooming in.

  3. A new Playbook is being written

    Consumers are going to be looking for new, novel product experiences that have AI as their foundation, not just drizzled on top. It’s unclear what interfaces, interactions, and modalities will make up these experiences. But if history is any indicator, the designs that gain traction in the next couple of years, will likely determine the shape of AI-first products for years to come. At AIR, we will be writing this new playbook together.

  4. Don’t believe incumbents. Everything can be re-invented.

    It doesn’t matter what existing companies say. It doesn’t matter how confidently they seem to be tracking the progress of AI. They do not have the advantage.

    The future belongs to those with fresh ideas, who are unburdened by the past, and will build with AI as the foundation of the entire experience. There is no software used today that cannot be completely re-imagined and re-invented.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the economics of participation?

AIR invests $500k for 10% equity. To make it easy, see how that compares to others.

Can I be a solo founder?

Yes, absolutely. We welcome solo founders with strong product vision.

Is in-person participation required in NYC?

No. You’ll probably get the most value by being in NYC. But if you're not in NYC, apply anyway—if accepted, we’ll develop a plan that works.

What should founders expect during and after the program?

Throughout the program, you’ll have direct access to Collaborative Fund’s network, hands-on mentorship, Al-specific resources, and dedicated advisory sessions. After completion, you’ll join our alumni network with investor introductions and ongoing operational guidance.

Is follow-on funding available beyond the initial investment?

Yes. Collaborative Fund is committed to supporting high-potential companies beyond the residency and may provide follow-on syndication support throughout your fundraising journey.

How many team members can participate?

We welcome multiple founding team members, though we’ll focus primarily on CEOs and key technical/product leaders. As space will be limited, participation will be tailored to each company’s specific needs.

How will we interact with EIRs and fellows?

You’ll connect with our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) and advisors through structured office hours, deep-dive sessions, and informal networking.

What stage of company is best suited for AIR?

AIR is designed for early-stage consumer Al companies, typically pre-seed or seed stage. Ideal candidates feature strong founding teams, compelling visions, and early products or prototypes. While we prioritize companies already building with Al at their core, we’re open to teams at various stages of development, as long as they’re ready to move fast and scale.

What does a typical program week look like?

Expect to commit 3-4 hours weekly to a mix of deep-dive sessions, hands-on workshops, investor introductions, and peer feedback exchanges. You’ll have dedicated time for product strategy refinement and carefully curated events with industry leaders and potential partners. We maintain scheduling flexibility to ensure you can prioritize building your product.

Will companies retain full ownership of their IP?

Yes, you retain 100% ownership of your intellectual property. We exist to support your innovations, helping you protect and scale what you create.

What happens after the program ends?

Completing AIR marks a beginning, not an end. You’ll join our alumni network with ongoing access to mentors, investors, and peer community. We provide continued advisory support, strategic check-ins, and potential follow-on funding. Our goal is to remain a long-term partner as you navigate critical growth phases.

What are AIR's core objectives?

We focus on four key outcomes:

  1. Helping you achieve a tenfold improvement in the quality, humanity, and emotional impact of your products
  2. Positioning you to secure competitive follow-on investment after Demo Day
  3. Providing distribution strategies that connect you with ideal customers for rapid, organic growth
  4. Building a lasting community of like-minded founders who support each other through the uncharted landscape of AI-first consumer products

How can I get in touch?

For other inquiries, you can reach us at air@collabfund.com. You can also follow us on X, Instagram, and Substack for updates.