Building resilience for the era of transformative AI
Building resilience
for the era of transformative AI
Halcyon backs exceptional founders building in AI safety, biosecurity and critical cybersecurity. We make grants, incubate new projects, invest in companies, and support high-impact career transitions.
Halcyon backs exceptional founders building in AI safety, biosecurity and
critical cybersecurity. We make grants, incubate new projects, invest in companies, and support high-impact career transitions.
The most consequential moment in human history
AI is advancing faster than almost anyone predicted, and while it could be an unprecedented force for good, the dangers (misaligned systems, AI-enabled cyberattacks, biosecurity threats) are real and potentially catastrophic.
The single biggest bottleneck to addressing these risks is exceptional founders and leaders.
The most consequential moment in human history
AI is advancing faster than almost anyone predicted, and while it could be an unprecedented force for good, the dangers (misaligned systems, AI-enabled cyberattacks, biosecurity threats) are real and potentially catastrophic.
The single biggest bottleneck to addressing these risks is exceptional founders and leaders.
Halcyon in Action
25
new orgs and companies launched
$400M
in follow-on funding raised
150+
career transitions advised
What Halcyon Offers
Your mission is to build for maximum impact. Ours is to provide whatever it takes to make that happen.
Career transition support
Mentorship and grants for leaders at a career inflection point looking for their next ultra-high-impact project. Grants up to $250k.
Nonprofit seed grants
Funding to get new nonprofit projects off the ground. We move fast, often wiring money within days. Grants up to $500k.
Venture capital investments
We back early-stage, mission-driven companies, often at the founding stage. Investments up to $1m, and sometimes much more.
Incubations
We’ve launched more than 25 projects, introducing co-founders, shaping strategies, providing seed funding and joining boards.
Introductions
A deep network at frontier AI labs, startups, nonprofits, VC firms, philanthropic funders and governments.
Retreats & Community
Multi-day founder retreats, salon dinners, and convenings that bring exceptional builders together.
What Halcyon Offers
Your mission is to build for maximum impact. Ours is to provide whatever it takes to make that happen.
Career transition support
Mentorship and grants for leaders at a career inflection point looking for their next ultra-high-impact project. Grants up to $250k.
Nonprofit seed grants
Funding to get new nonprofit projects off the ground. We move fast, often wiring money within days. Grants up to $500k.
Venture capital investments
We back early-stage, mission-driven companies, often at the founding stage. Investments up to $1m, and sometimes much more.
Incubations
We’ve launched more than 25 projects, introducing co-founders, shaping strategies, providing seed funding and joining boards.
Introductions
A deep network at frontier AI labs, startups, nonprofits, VC firms, philanthropic funders and governments.
Retreats & Community
Multi-day founder retreats, salon dinners, and convenings that bring exceptional builders together.
Support from Day Zero
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Intro'd Chief Scientist
Invested in Every Round
$150m Series B, $1.25B valuation
"Halcyon believed in us early. They made grants to fund the research that led to Goodfire. Then they invested, introduced key early hires, and stood by us as a mission-aligned backer."
Eric Ho
Founder & CEO
Goodfire
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Intro'd Chief Scientist
Invested in Every Round
$150m Series B, $1.25B valuation
"Halcyon believed in us early. They made grants to fund the research that led to Goodfire. Then they invested, introduced key early hires, and stood by us as a mission-aligned backer."
Eric Ho
Founder & CEO
Goodfire
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Invested in Every Round
$16M raised from top VCs
"Halcyon has been instrumental for my journey to founding AIUC – If I were starting something new, Mike would be my first call."
Rajiv Dattani
Co-founder
AIUC
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Invested in Every Round
$16M raised from top VCs
"Halcyon has been instrumental for my journey to founding AIUC – If I were starting something new, Mike would be my first call."
Rajiv Dattani
Co-founder
AIUC
Halcyon Retreat
Made the Founding Grant
Joined Transluce's Board
$20M Raised
"Halcyon was an early supporter and quickly provided seed funding and operational support to get Transluce off the ground. They serve an invaluable role in the ecosystem."
Jacob Steinhardt & Sarah Schwettmann
Co-founders
Goodfire
Halcyon Retreat
Made the Founding Grant
Joined Transluce's Board
$20M Raised
"Halcyon was an early supporter and quickly provided seed funding and operational support to get Transluce off the ground. They serve an invaluable role in the ecosystem."
Jacob Steinhardt & Sarah Schwettmann
Co-founders
Goodfire
Support from Day Zero
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Intro'd Chief Scientist
Invested in Every Round
$150m Series B, $1.25B valuation
"Halcyon believed in us early. They made grants to fund the research that led to Goodfire. Then they invested, introduced key early hires, and stood by us as a mission-aligned backer."
Eric Ho
Founder & CEO
Goodfire
Career Transition Grant
Halcyon Retreat
Invested in Every Round
$16M raised from top VCs
"Halcyon has been instrumental for my journey to founding AIUC – If I were starting something new, Mike would be my first call."
Rajiv Dattani
Co-founder
AIUC
Halcyon Retreat
Made the Founding Grant
Joined Transluce's Board
$20M Raised
"Halcyon was an early supporter and quickly provided seed funding and operational support to get Transluce off the ground. They serve an invaluable role in the ecosystem."
Jacob Steinhardt & Sarah Schwettmann
Co-founders
Transluce
A call to action for leaders
A call to action for leaders
Halcyon is looking for exceptional founders, operators, researchers to build in areas of key concern as we continue to realize transformative AI.
Halcyon is looking for exceptional founders, operators, researchers to build in areas of key concern as we continue to realize transformative AI.
AI Safety & Alignment
Biosecurity
Cybersecurity
Governance & Policy
We need the legal, diplomatic, and organizational infrastructure that makes AI development accountable.
AI Safety & Alignment
Biosecurity
Cybersecurity
Governance & Policy
We need the legal, diplomatic, and organizational infrastructure that makes AI development accountable.
To learn more about our thesis and projects we’d like to see built, check out our Request for Founders.
If you’re ready to launch your next venture, let’s talk.
Get in touch: hello@halcyonfutures.org
Get in touch at: hello@halcyonfutures.org
Halcyon in Action
25
new orgs and companies launched
25
new orgs and companies launched
$400M
in follow-on funding raised
$400M
in follow-on funding raised
150+
career transitions advised
150+
career transitions advised