Encode: AI for Science

A Pillar VC initiative, we believe the next AI revolution is science.

[ARIA @ARIA_research]

Ahead of announcing our new Activation Partners next week, we’re reflecting on what our founding partners have made possible.

From Convergent’s first UK FROs and new tools with Amodo, to Encode fellowships, talent pathways and deep-tech ventures, they’re helping ambitious R&D move beyond the lab.

So what does it actually take to help ambitious research make it out of the lab? Find out more: https://t.co/fwHJ58Ub0o

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

There are 36 hours left to become a @pillar_vc Encode Fellow.

12 months. £115k salary. £100k+ compute.
No equity taken.

If you've been sitting on an idea, here's your nudge. Submit yours in <20 minutes.

🔗 https://t.co/xlpyXoi3VO

Thanks to our partners @ARIA_research.

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

@hussein_kizz @kulesatony Nope!

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

@kyledmakes Yes! We’ll take anyone with the skills to build - no PhD required

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

@jwlben @kulesatony @grok Available for anyone, you must be willing to relocate to the UK for a year - we can get visas

[Tony Kulesa @kulesatony]

Start a company in AI for Science.

The Encode: AI for Science fellowship offers a year of freedom to build what matters -- salary, 100k GBP of compute, and partnership with the top scientists in the UK.

No equity or fees, it's a fully funded fellowship!

Apply by March 28

[Jude Wells @_judewells]

I'm 6 months into this fellowship, and it's been brilliant. If you've got ideas at the intersection of AI and science and want to take a shot at making them real then I can't think of a better opportunity. 8 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY TO JOIN COHORT 2. @encode_pillarvc @ARIA_research

[Tony Kulesa @kulesatony]

Freedom to Build What Matters

The first glimmers of AGI are here. Whatever you can dream of, you can build.

The efforts of a single individual have never mattered more. A single person, an idea, and a late night in the lab might be what changes a field.

And yet the outputs of such extraordinary power have mostly been disappointing. We are using the most important technology in history to create addictive short-form video, AI girlfriends, and better ad targeting.

Now is the time to do the work that will define this era.

We can cure disease, feed a continent, or make humanity multi-planetary. What you choose to work on now may be the most consequential decision of your career.

We built the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship for people who feel that weight.

One year of salary, plenty of compute, and direct access to frontier labs, data, and domain experts across biomaterials, atmospheric science, neuromodulation, robotics, and more.

No equity, no strings attached — just the freedom to explore.

We've partnered with ARIA and the UK's leading research universities to make it possible.

Applications close March 28th.

[Tony Kulesa @kulesatony]

Science is our calling.

It's January 2026 and in some vague but very real sense, the glimmers of AGI are here. You can toss off a goal and an AI agent will happily chug away.

We can do anything. But what is worthy of doing?

We're not here for the AI romantic companions, the vibes reels, and the marketing outbound.

If we can do anything, we're going to do science. Science is how we build the world we actually want. It's how we will solve the problems we'll be proud to tell our children we dedicated ourselves to.

We want to hear from the people pushing AI to the limits in pursuit of science. The window is open. The weird and the serious are moving fast. Incredible things are happening in labs, warehouses, and basements.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be gathering in three cities—San Francisco, London, and Boston. We’ll have some visionary speakers joining us.

Link below.

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

@ARIA_research @SciTechgovuk Twice a year, in Summer and Winter, we gather 150 of our closest community members with this purpose, at scale.

📍 King Cross, London, UK - a historic location, shared on approval.
🗓️ Thursday, 11th December - 7-9.30pm
🔗 RSVP via the link https://t.co/Bry0WfAxIo

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

The future isn’t just being imagined, it’s being built.

Pillar VC Winter AI for Science Salon, 'Future Under Construction', is taking place this Thursday evening - in partnership with @ARIA_research & @SciTechgovuk.

Only a few spots left - see below for more details.

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

@ARIA_research @SciTechgovuk Fellows are moving rapidly from blueprint to reality, with the goal of translating their ambitious ideas from lab > public. Inspired by the intellectual movements of the past, our AI for Science Salons foster deep discussions, bold ideas and new collaborations.

[Jude Wells @_judewells]

If you're interested in finding out whether these artisanal hand-crafted protein designs actually work: you can vote for my designs to be tested, by giving a ⭐️ here:
https://t.co/14hU5gjZT7

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

Launching: 18 Encode Fellows

We gathered our inaugural cohort in London for 3 days of intense workshops, red-teaming, discovery, socials, and more. It culminated in our first ‘Community Critique’.

Curious? Check out our projects: https://t.co/bBfUApIiYJ

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

Want to join our next AI for Science Salon, and become a part of the Encode: AI for Science community?

Get in touch 👉 https://t.co/glEsiF4U3s

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

How can AI become a partner in scientific discovery, design and dreaming?

@pillar_vc brought together 150 of the Encode: AI for Science community for 'The Experimental Imagination' - a BBQ below The Shard in London Bridge to celebrate Encode's milestones so far.

[Encode: AI for Science @encode_pillarvc]

Thank you to our sponsors for this event!

- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Advanced Research and Invention Agency @ARIA_research
- V7 - @V7Labs
- AI Security Institute - @AISecurityInst

[Tony Kulesa @kulesatony]

how it’s going

An incredible honor to welcome the inaugural class of Encode Fellows with a round table discussion on AI for Science at 10 Downing Street!

We are so grateful to work with our partners at @ARIA_research and @SciTechgovuk. @pippyjames @matthewclifford

[Leah Eliz Morris @leahelizmorris]

Things are happening! So excited to officially welcome our Encode Fellows to London with a visit to Number 10. (And yes, we did meet the one and only Larry🐱🇬🇧).

We're so grateful to work with our partners at @ARIA_research and @SciTechgovuk. Ty @pippyjames @matthewclifford for sharing our vision in supporting AI for Science.