Founders and policymakers meet in Washington to launch The AI Coalition, uniting AI startups with U.S. legislators. Image Source: ChatGPT-5
HumanX and Humanrace Capital Launch The AI Coalition to Amplify Startup Voices in Washington
Key Takeaways: The AI Coalition Launch
The AI Coalition is a nonprofit initiative founded by HumanX and Humanrace Capital to represent early-stage AI startups in Washington.
The coalition connects AI innovators directly with policymakers as Congress drafts the next generation of federal AI laws.
It offers affordable policy access, collective advocacy, and networking opportunities tailored for startups.
Founders include Stefan Weitz and Jon Weiner of HumanX, and Suraj Mehta and Sean Engelking of Humanrace Capital.
The initiative arrives as AI regulation accelerates nationwide, following the lifting of a state-level AI moratorium.
AI Policy: HumanX and Humanrace Capital Launch The AI Coalition for Emerging AI Companies
HumanX and Humanrace Capital announced the launch of The AI Coalition, the first nonprofit coalition created to give early-stage AI companies meaningful representation in Washington. Designed for startups from pre-seed through Series B, the coalition provides direct policy access and influence as Congress and federal agencies draft landmark AI legislation.
The launch comes amid an unprecedented wave of policymaking, where the voices shaping America’s AI future have largely been limited to major technology firms and incumbent industry players with full-time lobbying operations.
Bridging the Policy Gap for Emerging AI Leaders
The idea for The AI Coalition grew out of HumanX’s direct work with policymakers, including hosting Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA)—Chair of the Bipartisan House AI Task Force—at a HumanX conference earlier this year in Las Vegas. That event marked a turning point, connecting startup founders with congressional leadership in a live policy dialogue.
“Congress needs to hear from the front lines of the AI ecosystem, the startups and emerging companies deploying AI to create breakthrough products and services,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “I’m excited for The AI Coalition to bring these innovators to the table in the policymaking process where they belong.”
Stefan Weitz, co-founder and CEO of HumanX, said the coalition fills a crucial gap: “Many lawmakers have told me they only hear from the biggest players in AI. This coalition gives earlier-stage companies doing transformative work in healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, and beyond a unique opportunity to engage directly with federal policymakers and ensure the rules work for all—not just the incumbents.”
Comprehensive Policy Access at Startup-Friendly Prices
To meet startups where they are, The AI Coalition offers five core membership benefits focused on practical, affordable policy access:
Direct Policymaker Engagement: Members receive quarterly access to federal, state, and local officials, plus twice-yearly Washington D.C. fly-in events with legislators and agency leaders.
Affordable Policy Expertise: A sliding-scale membership model offers real-time regulatory updates, strategic guidance, and even a “bat phone” hotline for urgent issues.
National Policy Influence: Members coordinate on major legislation—including the forthcoming federal AI modernization bill—ensuring unified advocacy for startup interests.
Business Development Opportunities: Access to federal agency partnerships, Fortune 500 collaborations, and connections with the coalition's Strategic Advisory Council.
Strategic Ecosystem Networking: Exclusive quarterly summits and peer events that connect peers, competitors, and key AI ecosystem players, fostering collaboration across the AI industry.
Urgent Timing as AI Regulation Accelerates
The creation of The AI Coalition comes as AI regulation intensifies at both the federal and state levels. The recent removal of a moratorium on state-level AI rules has led to a fragmented policy landscape that early-stage companies must now navigate, forcing them to face a complex patchwork of emerging regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
“AI will unlock the next generation of care delivery, but only if AI native builders, who don’t have the resources to navigate complex state-by-state regulations, are enabled to build that future,” said Izac Ross, Founder and CEO of Haven Headache & Migraine Center. “We see The AI Coalition as a key partner in bringing builders and policymakers together to keep regulation aligned with real-world innovation in healthcare and enable us to close the gap in headache and migraine care.”
About HumanX
HumanX is a leading global AI event platform designed to connect executives with practical, actionable insights into AI technologies shaping the business landscape. Founded by Jon Weiner and Stefan Weitz, industry veterans committed to reinventing the AI event experience, HumanX focuses on practical applications and strategic networking opportunities, distinguishing itself from traditional, broad-spectrum events.
About Humanrace Capital
Humanrace Capital, led by Suraj Mehta and Sean Engelking, is an early-stage venture fund investing in healthcare, financial services, and adjacent sectors. Following their successful exit to UnitedHealth Group, the founders collaborated with policy experts to improve market access for startups—an experience that inspired the formation of The AI Coalition.
Q&A: Understanding The AI Coalition
Q1: What is The AI Coalition?
A: The AI Coalition is a nonprofit organization founded by HumanX and Humanrace Capital to ensure that early-stage AI startups have a voice in shaping federal and state AI policy.
Q2: Who can join The AI Coalition?
A: Membership is open to AI startups from pre-seed through Series B, across sectors including healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity.
Q3: How does The AI Coalition engage policymakers?
A: The coalition hosts quarterly meetings and Washington D.C. fly-ins, connecting members directly with Congress, federal agencies, and state regulators.
Q4: Why was the coalition created now?
A: With AI regulation accelerating, the coalition ensures smaller companies can influence policy and stay compliant amid complex, evolving laws.
Q5: What makes The AI Coalition unique?
A: It provides policy access and advocacy at startup-friendly prices, creating a united front for emerging AI innovators in Washington.
What This Means: A Unified Voice for AI Innovation
The launch of The AI Coalition represents a significant step toward more inclusive AI policymaking in the United States. By giving startups and emerging AI leaders direct access to legislators, HumanX and Humanrace Capital are ensuring that innovation from the ground up shapes the rules of the road.
As federal and state frameworks evolve, The AI Coalition could become a central channel for collaboration between AI builders and government leaders—balancing innovation, ethics, and opportunity in one of the most transformative policy moments of the decade.
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 used for research and drafting. 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.