GitHub Accelerator · GitHub

archived 13 Jan 2026 05:31:51 UTC
Skip to content

Navigation Menu
Sign up
GitHub Accelerator 2024

Powering AI advancements in the open

Advancing AI

This year's theme and cohort is about projects who are making AI advancements but in the open. We are looking for people and projects that are building AI-based solutions with an open source license and community to improve the world. With the GitHub Accelerator, we want to pioneer new ways for developers to simply and sustainably work in open source full-time – built on developer's terms.
If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
You're signed out
Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
0:00 / 28:11
•

The Program

Programming and Visibility

Participants engage in a 10-week peer-based cohort program that includes instruction, workshops, and expert speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to amplify through GitHub channels, events and showcases.

Collaboration and Community

Participants will have a diverse community of builders to learn from within the cohort to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and accelerate project growth and adoption.

Mentorship and Support

The program will offer mentorship from community and Hubbers in fields of open source, AI, Security as well as topical areas like fundraising and business.

2024 Cohort

unsloth AI

AI Bending the cost curve of fine-tuning models.
Learn more

Giskard

The testing platform for AI models bringing transparency, and accountability.
Learn more

A-Frame

Making AR/VR digital world creation accessible to anyone regardless of technical expertise.
Learn more

Nav2

The premier hub for advanced robotics navigation.
Learn more

HackingBuddyGPT

Autonomous agents and copilots for security teams.
Learn more

OpenWebUI

Bringing privacy, security, and performance locally with world-class UI.
Learn more

marimo

Raising the bar for ML and data science notebooks.
Learn more

LLMware.ai

Simplifying the way enterprises make RAG models, securely and sensitively.
Learn more

Talkd.ai

Optimizing LLMs with easy RAG deployment and management.
Learn more

Web-Check

Enhancing web security with advanced solutions.
Learn more

LangDrive

Plug-and-play APIs designed for LLM training.
Learn more

GitHub Accelerator 2024

Powering AI Advancements in the open.
Meet the selected projectsSign up for updates

Support the developers who power open source

GitHub Sponsors allows the developer community to financially support the open source projects they depend on, directly on GitHub
Check out GitHub Sponsors

Funding the next generation of open source software

GitHub Fund is partnering with M12 to help open source companies grow. We are thrilled to partner with and invest in the next generation of open source entrepreneurs.
Read more about GitHub Fund

The largest open source community in the world

Open source software is free for you to use and explore. Get involved to perfect your craft and be part of something big.
Join one or start your own

Frequently asked questions

What is GitHub Accelerator?

The future of open source depends on critical funding and curriculum to build durable and sustainable projects, GitHub Accelerator aims to propel new careers and companies for today and tomorrow by providing funding, mentorship, and support to help builders focus on their projects and take it to the next level. See 2023 cohort

What is GitHub Fund?

GitHub Fund is a dedicated venture capital vehicle focused on open source builders, in partnership with Microsoft’s Venture Fund, M12. The Fund invests in pre-seed and seed stage, open source projects and provides support via GitHub and M12.

Who can apply?

Anyone who is a current contributor or maintainer of an open source project on GitHub. You can also apply as a team for a given open source project (max of 3 people). Previous applicants are eligible to apply.
You must also:
  • Be age eighteen (18) or older
  • Have an active online profile on GitHub
  • Be located in one of the regions supported by GitHub Sponsors
  • Not be a current employee of GitHub and/or any of its parent/subsidiary companies
  • Clear open source license
  • Open source first project with demonstrated community traction and adoption
  • Clear governance structure and plan for utilizing the funds prior to kick-off
  • Deep focus in AI, Machine Learning, and AI infrastructure
  • Commitment from core leaders to participate in and engage in the required programming

How many projects will be selected? What are you looking for? Who decides who is selected?

We will select 10 projects for the cohort. All of our applications will be evaluated by a selection committee. You’ll be much more likely to be selected if you:
  • Have an active and growing set of users
  • Understand how you want to grow and maintain your project
  • Wish to pursue open source work full-time
We are interested in projects working in the open focused on:
  • AI Developers Tools and Infrastructure and Pipeline
  • Models and frameworks, including architectures
  • Hardware and hardware enablement
  • Data and data infrastructure
  • Marketplaces and tools that democratize access to AI
  • AI powered developer applications and tools
  • Cyber security

What do I get if my project selected?

As a part of the program, the participants will get:
  • $40,000 per project in non-dilutive funding
  • 5-10 hours per week of live instruction, workshops, and homework
  • Office Hours with GitHub team for security reviews
  • Q+As with enterprise Sponsors, community members, and GitHub leaders
  • Introduction to, and at least one office hour with, M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund
  • Free access to relevant GitHub products, including a full year of GitHub Copilot
  • Eligible projects will receive free Azure AI infrastructure credits including preferred access to high-end GPU virtual machine clusters and white glove go-to-market support
  • A shared slack channel with your cohort to collaborate and support each other

What do I have to do if I’m selected?

  • Selected participants must be able to work on their projects full-time (40 hours/week) during the program. This time commitment is inclusive of the 5-10 hours of weekly instruction, workshops, and homework. All meetings will be hosted in Pacific Standard Time.
  • Contribute to the open source resources we have on GitHub so other developers can learn from your experience

What is the current timeline for the program?

Applications close March 5, 2024 at 12PM PST. The 2024 cohort program will kick off in April 22, 2024.

What is the format of the program?

The program is a 10 week virtual program with a mix of 1-to-1, group sessions, project work, and mentorship. Selected participants outline their goals and objectives at the beginning of the program and are supported to achieve those goals during the program. Participants receive mentorship and curriculum to help further their projects.

What are the next steps?

When should we hear back? We will evaluate applications on a rolling basis until they close March 5. Select participants will have a virtual interview to determine next steps. If you do not hear back from us by March 16, 2024 you were not selected to participate.

Can I apply if I am already a sponsored developer on GitHub?

Yes! We want to help you expand your funding and support as you look to build a full-time career in open source.

I want to help. How can I get involved?

Awesome! Sign up here for updates.

What projects have participated in the GitHub Accelerator?
0%
 
10%
 
20%
 
30%
 
40%
 
50%
 
60%
 
70%
 
80%
 
90%
 
100%