Andy Konwinski Launches $100M Laude Institute for Public-Focused AI

Andy Konwinski, co-founder of Databricks and VP at Perplexity AI, has launched the Laude Institute—a nonprofit research organization backed by $100 million of his own capital. Announced on June 23, the institute is designed to help computer science researchers move breakthrough ideas from academic labs into the real world, with a strong emphasis on social benefit over profit.

Konwinski describes Laude as a response to a pivotal moment for AI and computing: “Engineered intelligence is no longer theoretical,” he wrote in a launch blog post. “Whether AI moves society forward or divides it depends on who is doing the building, and why.”

Laude’s Hybrid Model: Built by and for AI Researchers

The Laude Institute is structured as a nonprofit paired with a public benefit corporation. This hybrid setup is intended to provide the speed and flexibility of a startup to attract top talent and move quickly while remaining focused on mission-driven goals. According to Konwinski, the institute will fund work that traditional academia or industry might overlook—especially projects without obvious commercial payoffs.

At its core, Laude aims to support “computer scientists focused on real-world impact.” Its team includes researchers and advisors from across academia and industry, including notable figures like Jeff Dean (Google), Joelle Pineau (Meta), and UC Berkeley’s Dave Patterson and Ion Stoica.

Konwinski is not launching Laude alone. He co-founded the institute with technologists Chris Rytting, K. Tighe, Justin Fiedler, and Lindsey Gregory, and is supported by a board of experienced researchers and a growing network of backers from the tech community. Founding advisors also include NEA veteran Pete Sonsini and Andrew Krioukov.

Slingshots and Moonshots: Laude’s Two-Track AI Research Strategy

Laude’s work will be divided into two main categories:

• Slingshots are small, fast grants aimed at early-stage research. These include hands-on support to help researchers move quickly from idea to implementation. Its first Slingshot effort, Terminal-Bench—a benchmarking project developed with Stanford researchers—was cited by Anthropic just days after Claude 4's release, moving from concept to industry adoption in just 126 days.
  

• Moonshots are long-term research efforts that target large-scale societal challenges such as healthcare, education, scientific discovery, workforce reskilling, and civic discourse. These projects will begin with seed grants and expand into multi-year, multi-million dollar labs. The Moonshot approach stems from a broader initiative Konwinski co-authored with AI leaders including John Hennessy and Jeff Dean, focused on guiding AI toward broadly beneficial outcomes.

In addition to Slingshots and Moonshots, Laude is funding foundational computing research. Its first major grant—$3 million per year over five years—will launch the new AI Systems Lab at UC Berkeley in 2027. The lab will be led by Ion Stoica and feature researchers like Matei Zaharia, Joey Gonzalez, and Raluca-Ada Popa, all known for their roles in shaping modern computing infrastructure.

Beyond Funding: Convening and Amplifying a Research Community

Laude isn’t only writing checks. The institute also acts as a convener and amplifier for the computer science research community. It aims to connect researchers with deployment opportunities, elevate their public voices, and encourage leadership that’s both technical and cultural.

That mission took shape recently at the inaugural Ship Your Research Summit, where 70 top AI researchers gathered for open dialogue. For Konwinski, creating spaces like this—where researchers share ideas outside the constraints of commercial interest—is part of what makes Laude different.

He emphasizes that the success of the institute depends on its community: “Our community already includes some of the smartest computer scientists creating impact today,” he wrote. “If you're part of this movement or want to be, join us.”

What This Means

The launch of the Laude Institute represents a significant shift in how AI research might be organized, supported, and directed. With major players like OpenAI and Google focused on commercial breakthroughs, Laude offers a different model—one that centers long-term societal benefit, openness, and independence.

Its hybrid structure mirrors some of the complexity and ambition of today’s tech landscape, but its mission is clear: help more researchers “ship their research” in ways that matter to people, not just platforms. By putting $100 million behind that belief—and opening the door to other funders—Konwinski is betting on a future where AI is built with public interest at the center.

Whether Laude can offer a lasting alternative to the commercial race in AI remains to be seen. But it starts with a fundamental wager: that research done for the right reasons, supported in the right way, can still change the world.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.