Renowned computer scientist Andy Konwinski, known for his roles in Databricks and Perplexity, has revealed exciting news about his latest venture. Laude, his new company, is establishing an AI research institute with a significant $100 million commitment from Konwinski himself.
Andy Konwinski, a respected figure in the tech industry and co-founder of Databricks and Perplexity, made a groundbreaking announcement on Monday. Laude, his latest venture, is launching a new AI research institute with a substantial $100 million pledge from Konwinski.
Laude Institute is not your typical AI research lab; instead, it functions more like a fund seeking to make strategic investments akin to grants. Alongside Konwinski, the institute’s board features esteemed individuals such as UC Berkeley professor Dave Patterson, Google’s chief scientist Jeff Dean, and Meta’s vice president of AI Research Joelle Pineau.
During the announcement, Konwinski introduced the institute’s inaugural grant of $3 million per year for a five-year period, serving as the cornerstone for the new AI Systems Lab at UC Berkeley. This lab, led by the distinguished Ion Stoica, will officially open its doors in 2027 and house several renowned researchers in addition to Stoica.
In a blog post unveiling the institute, Konwinski outlined its mission as being “built by and for computer science researchers… We exist to catalyze work that doesn’t just push the field forward but guides it towards more beneficial outcomes.”
Unlike some AI research organizations driven solely by commercial interests, Konwinski has structured his institute to operate as a nonprofit with a public benefit corporation arm. He has categorized his research investments into “Slingshots and Moonshots,” with the former focusing on early-stage research benefiting from grants and hands-on support, while the latter tackles long-term challenges like AI for scientific discovery and healthcare.
As part of his efforts under the Laude umbrella, Konwinski has also co-founded a for-profit venture fund in 2024, attracting over 50 leading researchers as LPs. With a successful track record in investments, including backing startup Arcade, Laude has established itself as a key player in the AI landscape.
Despite the saturation of AI research initiatives, Konwinski’s commitment to independent and beneficial research sets Laude apart. With a focus on driving innovation for the greater good, the institute’s collaboration with top industry experts signals a promising future for AI development.
Note: This story includes updated details regarding the Laude VC fund.
