Peter Thiel foundation awards fellowships for AI and disruptive tech ventures worldwide

The Thiel Foundation, founded by billionaire investor Peter Thiel, has announced its 2026 Thiel Fellowship class and awarded a $250,000 multiyear grant to each of 12 early-stage founders, including Victor Boyd of Birmingham, Alabama; Ishan Gupta of Kanpur, India; and Claire Wang of Los Angeles, California, to support development of high-risk startups in AI, robotics, fintech, and biotech. The two-year fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and access to a global investor network, in exchange for full-time commitment to building outside traditional education paths. The program is designed to accelerate breakthrough ventures in autonomous systems, AI infrastructure, and biological simulation technologies.