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Up to $350K in startup credits are available through partnership with AI Research Commons

April 6, 2026

Third Coast Foundry is partnering with the AI Research Commons (ARC) to provide a suite of startup credits and support to a select number of startups.  Third Coast is a new San Francisco–based hub designed to strengthen the collective presence of Midwest research institutions in one of the world’s most active venture ecosystems. Announced last month, partner institutions include Carnegie Mellon University, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Washington University in St. Louis. ARC is a collaborative platform designed to support early-stage AI companies emerging from leading research institutions, providing structured selection, mentorship, cloud infrastructure support, and curated investor access to help founders accelerate commercialization and scale transformative AI technologies.

 

ARC will work alongside university innovation and entrepreneurship teams across Third Coast Foundry institutions to identify leading AI startups and provide a structured pathway for growth. University partners will collaborate with ARC on candidate identification, technical diligence, and founder support to ensure that the highest-quality teams are selected.

 

“Midwest universities pioneered the early internet, and now they lead foundational AI research,” said Ajay Singh, cofounder, AI Research Commons. “We are excited to partner with these exceptional university startups on their entrepreneurial journeys.”

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.
  • Structured selection and screening support from ARC’s expert review network.
  • 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.

 

The program will begin identifying startups in spring 2026, with selected teams announced in early summer for the program kickoff.

For university-based founders interested in the program, please provide a short statement of interest >> by May 1.  For more questions, please contact invo@northwestern.edu or lisa.dhar@northwestern.edu