At Æthos, responsible AI is safe, ethical technology that reflects human values. We support startups across many industries; however, we focus especially on those where trust is critical, like healthcare, finance, biotech, and sustainability. In these sectors, responsible AI isn’t optional; it directly impacts people’s health, financial well-being, and community resilience. Through mentorship, curated tools, and a values-first culture, we help startups turn good intentions into real-world impact.

We maintain neutrality by prioritizing sponsorships and partnerships with those who reflect our values. For example, by staying open to many investors, we can successfully matchmake for more founders than if we were to establish an exclusive relationship with just one.

We look for founders building AI that genuinely benefit humanity, creating tools that construct healthier, wealthier, and more resilient communities for a sustainable future. Your technology must be legal, safe, and compliant. We prioritize startups solving real market problems with evidence of traction (e.g., an MVP, early users, or pilot results). Additionally, we expect an incorporated business and clear team commitment. At least one team member must join us in person at one of our Stations. We also value diversity across industries and backgrounds because responsible innovation thrives on multiple perspectives.

Æthos Stations are not just places to work; they’re places to grow. Members collaborate through shared challenges, mentorship sessions, and monthly strategy-focused events. Our culture is built on peer-to-peer learning and a shared responsibility to support each other’s success.

We carefully select every member based on mission alignment. We maintain a focused environment with no more than four events per month, each strategically designed to deepen learning and connections. Our team actively nurtures a service mindset, where members are not simply recipients, but contributors to a larger movement.

Startups gain direct access to essential AI development tools (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Notion, GitHub, Slack, Figma, Miro, and more), along with credits, discounts, and exclusive templates. Members also receive well-chosen research, technical frameworks, and applied Responsible AI guidance tailored to their sector and stage.

We connect startups with seasoned researchers, industry leaders, and investors for direct mentorship. These connections take place through one-on-one office hours, targeted programming, and curated introductions, designed to accelerate technical excellence and ethical clarity.

We measure success by tracking both business growth and social impact. This includes funding raised, pilot launches, team diversity, responsible AI adoption, and traction in high-trust industries. For instance, in the past six months, Æthos members raised over $25.8M to scale impactful solutions.

Æthos is far more than a place to work or a sprint-based program. We're a purpose-driven workspace and support system designed specifically for AI startups committed to responsible innovation. We offer long-term infrastructure that supports not only productivity, but also principled growth, applied ethics, and deep community engagement across research, industry, and capital.

Yes! While our Stations are the core of our community, there are many other ways to engage. If you're a researcher, investor, policymaker, or industry partner aligned with our mission, we welcome collaborations. You can mentor founders, host discussions, share insights, or explore partnership opportunities. To learn more, reach out to us at aethos.co/contact.

While both Æthos and CIC offer access to physical workspaces, our missions and focus differ significantly. Æthos is a nonprofit, community-based platform built specifically to support AI startups that are solving real human problems with trustworthy, ethical technology. Our membership is purpose-driven, selective, and grounded in shared values. This focus centers around scaling responsible AI through mentorship, expertly selected tools, peer learning, and deep ecosystem connections. In contrast, CIC is a flexible workspace for a wide range of industries, whereas Æthos is a focused environment designed exclusively for AI founders building with intention and impact.