# OpenAI Opens Applications for Second Grove Founder Program

OpenAI has announced that applications are now open for the second cohort of OpenAI Grove, its five-week accelerator program for AI startup founders.

The program welcomes entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey, whether they're still brainstorming ideas or already have a working product. Participants will receive $50,000 in API credits to build on OpenAI's platform, plus early access to cutting-edge AI tools before they're publicly available.

A key feature of Grove is direct mentorship from OpenAI's team, giving founders insider guidance on building AI applications and navigating the rapidly evolving landscape.

**Why it matters:** As AI development becomes increasingly expensive and competitive, access to resources and expertise can make or break early-stage startups. The $50,000 in credits alone represents significant value for bootstrapped founders experimenting with large language models and other AI