Foundation for American Innovation

What Foundation for American Innovation does

The Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank that operates under Lincoln Network, Inc., a Delaware nonprofit nonstock corporation (EIN 47-2239840). Founded in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs and later rebranded, FAI is headquartered at 408 C Street NE, Washington, D.C., with an additional office at 2443 Fillmore St. in San Francisco. Its stated mission is to advance technology and policy ideas through research, analysis, and educational programs aimed at strengthening the coupling between technologists, founders, and the U.S. government.

FAI's core products are policy publications and convenings rather than commercial technology. The organization publishes more than 1,170 items across seven policy areas — Technology & Statecraft (664), Artificial Intelligence (211), American Governance (273), Energy & Infrastructure (112), Education & Talent (71), Science Policy (24), and Frontier Legal Defense (5) — distributed free of charge through itsfai.org website, a newsletter, and four podcasts (The Frontier, Right of Way, Nuclear Barbarians, Politics in Question) on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. FAI convenes events such as the annual Energy Imperatives Summit, the AI Innovation & Security Policy Workshop, and the American Innovation Reception, drawing hundreds of attendees from the public and private sectors. Newer offerings include the Frontier Legal Defense rapid-response legal program led by General Counsel Tim Hwang, and the Physical Intelligence Project extending its portfolio into robotics and biosecurity.

The organization has 11–50 employees and a roster of more than 70 named scholars and senior fellows, including individuals who have moved between FAI and frontier AI labs (Dean Ball to OpenAI as Head of Strategic Futures) and the White House (co-authorship of the AI Action Plan). FAI is funded by charitable donations from individuals and foundations; it does not sell commercial products or services, and does not accept donations from foreign governments or entities tied to U.S. foreign adversaries under its National Interest Gift Policy. Revenue and budget figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Foundation for American Innovation

Legal name

Lincoln Network, Inc.

Website

https://thefai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Foundation for American Innovation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank that publishes policy research and convenes events to connect technologists and policymakers on AI governance, energy infrastructure, and American governance issues, supported by charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research Think Tank

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Political Organizations (813940)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ), Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Technology policy research
• Public policy analysis
• AI governance research
• Think tank publications
• Policy convening events

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: FAI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on donor support. The organization accepts one-time and monthly donations at preset tiers ($50, $100, $250, $500, $5000, or custom amounts), as well as cryptocurrency donations. Donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID: 47-2239840). The organization does not accept donations from foreign governments or entities with substantial ties to U.S. foreign adversaries (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Foundation for American Innovation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit technology and public policy think tank that produces policy research, commentary, podcasts, legal advocacy, and convening events focused on AI governance, energy infrastructure, American governance, science policy, and technology statecraft. Its core outputs include research papers, public filings, blog posts, four podcast series, and hosted events such as the Energy Imperatives Summit and AI Innovation & Security Policy Workshop, all distributed free to the public and supported by charitable donations.

Product overview

Foundation for American Innovation is a nonpartisan think tank offering a portfolio of policy research products, podcasts, and programs. The core offerings include publications (research papers, commentary, blog posts, public filings), multiple podcast series (The Frontier, Right of Way, Nuclear Barbarians, Politics in Question), the Frontier Legal Defense legal advocacy program, and hosted events. The organization serves policymakers and technologists working at the intersection of technology and governance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Frontier Legal Defense: A rapid-response legal program and initiative that combats the concentration of power, incumbent rent-seeking, and government overreach in AI. It is a project within FAI focused on legal advocacy, public interest litigation, and fostering a new generation of lawyers who understand AI's trajectory.

Products and services

• Publications Library A free-access research content library comprising 138 research papers, 174 public filings, 400 commentary pieces, and 462 blog and Substack posts spanning seven policy areas (Technology & Statecraft, Artificial Intelligence, American Governance, Energy & Infrastructure, Education & Talent, Science Policy, and Frontier Legal Defense). Used by policymakers, technologists, media, and the broader policy community.
• The Frontier Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by General Counsel and Senior Fellow Tim Hwang discussing tech and tech policy news with FAI scholars and guests. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Right of Way Podcast Podcast hosted by Director of Infrastructure Thomas Hochman and Policy Advisor Pavan Venkatakrishnan covering energy policy, energy politics, and permitting reform. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Nuclear Barbarians Podcast Podcast hosted by Senior Fellow Emmet Penney featuring conversations with experts, workers, journalists, and scholars about nuclear energy, energy issues, culture, and society. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Politics in Question Podcast Podcast featuring Senior Fellow James Wallner and New America's Lee Drutman debating the future of American politics. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Frontier Legal Defense Rapid-response legal advocacy program that conducts legal advocacy, public interest litigation, and education to counter concentration of power, incumbent rent-seeking, and government overreach in AI. Led by General Counsel Tim Hwang.
• Events Program Hosted convenings including the annual Energy Imperatives Summit (with American Affairs and American Conservation Coalition), the AI Innovation & Security Policy Workshop (with Horizon Institute for Public Service), and the American Innovation Reception in Washington DC, San Francisco, and other tech hubs, bringing together policymakers, technologists, and civil society leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,170 publications produced across seven policy areas
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Horizon Institute for Public ServicemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 August 2026FAI and the Horizon Institute for Public Service co-host the annual AI Innovation & Security Policy Workshop, a three-day event in Washington, DC (August 21-23, 2026) for people exploring careers in AI policy. Applications are managed through a shared process.
• Institute for Progress (IFP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2026FAI and the Institute for Progress co-host the Moonshots happy hour series (FAI x IFP events), with an invite-only Cinco de Mayo event held May 5, 2026. IFP is also a co-host of the AI Innovation & Security Policy Workshop alongside the Horizon Institute.
• Federation of American ScientistsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2026FAI and the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) co-present the 'Measuring What Matters: Performance Metrics and Research Priorities for Science Agencies' workshop on July 21, 2026, in Washington, DC. The half-day workshop aims to lay a shared analytical foundation for measuring scientific research success.
• 1DaySoonerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026FAI joined 1DaySooner for a Clinical Trial Abundance Symposium on June 10, 2026, focused on reforming the clinical trial ecosystem to accelerate medical progress through innovative trial design, data generation, and transparency.
• American AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026American Affairs is a co-host of the annual Energy Imperatives Summit with FAI and the American Conservation Coalition. The summit draws hundreds of stakeholders from the public and private energy sectors and focuses on three pillars: tech-neutral permitting reform, capital deployment, and public-public innovation. FAI's Director of Infrastructure Thomas Hochman co-hosts the Right of Way podcast with American Affairs.
• American Conservation CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) co-hosts the annual Energy Imperatives Summit with FAI and American Affairs. The two-day summit in Washington D.C. focused on energy permitting reform, capital deployment, and public-private innovation, featuring senior government officials and energy company CEOs.
• Institute for ProgressmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2026FAI and the Institute for Progress jointly organized a letter to Congress on synthetic DNA and RNA screening, signed by CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft AI, Twist Bioscience, and Ansa Biotechnologies. The organizations are also co-hosts of the ongoing Moonshots happy hour series (FAI x IFP events).
• Pirate WiresminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026FAI and Pirate Wires co-hosted the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC, the evening before the Hill and Valley Forum. The event featured remarks by billionaire media tycoon Mike Solana and was co-hosted with Waymo, Rainmaker, XYZ Venture Capital, Narya, Phasecraft, Build American AI, and Cicero Institute.
• WaymominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Waymo was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC, alongside FAI, Pirate Wires, Rainmaker, XYZ Venture Capital, Narya, Phasecraft, Build American AI, and Cicero Institute.
• XYZ Venture CapitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026XYZ Venture Capital was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• NaryaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Narya was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• PhasecraftminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Phasecraft was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• Build American AIminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Build American AI was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• Cicero InstituteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Cicero Institute was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• RainmakerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Rainmaker was a co-host of the FAI x Pirate Wires American Innovation Reception on March 23, 2026, in Washington, DC.
• American CompassminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026American Compass's Tech Policy Caucus and FAI co-hosted a salon on 'Preserving Human Competence in an Age of AI' in Washington, DC on February 11, 2026. The event featured Avital Balwit (Anthropic), Seb Krier (Google DeepMind), and Yo Shavit (OpenAI) and was moderated by American Compass's Brad Littlejohn.
• Lincoln Network Inc.coreOthersFAI is a project operated under Lincoln Network Inc., a Delaware nonprofit nonstock corporation. The Terms of Use identifies Lincoln Network as the parent operating entity, with offices at 2443 Fillmore St. #380-3386, San Francisco, CA 94115. FAI was originally established in Silicon Valley in 2014 as Lincoln Labs.
• SpotifycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFAI's podcast network (The Frontier, Right of Way, Nuclear Barbarians, Politics in Question) is distributed via Spotify. Links to Spotify are prominently featured on the FAI homepage and podcast pages, enabling audience discovery and subscription.
• Apple PodcastscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFAI's four podcasts are also distributed via Apple Podcasts alongside Spotify. Apple Podcasts links are displayed alongside Spotify links on the FAI website for podcast discovery and subscription.
• Bookshop.org (FAI Bookshop page)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFAI curates a Bookshop page featuring titles that have influenced its approach to technology and governance. Books include 'Subprime Attention Crisis,' 'Chaos Monkeys,' 'Human, Forever,' and works on parliamentary procedure and bureaucracy in America.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Enterprise Institute: Major Washington think tank producing research across economic, foreign, and technology policy. Comparable to FAI in producing scholarly publications and engaging policymakers, with overlapping work on AI, energy, and governance but a far larger footprint and broader ideological base.
• Cato Institute: Major libertarian think tank with longstanding work on technology policy, regulation, and governance. Comparable to FAI's policy entrepreneurship posture, with broader scope and a much larger institutional footprint.
• Heritage Foundation: One of the largest U.S. conservative think tanks, producing policy research, commentary, and convenings across many domains including technology and AI. Directly comparable to FAI as a right-of-center policy organization engaging with Washington on technology issues, but with a much larger budget and longer history.

Direct peers

• Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF): Nonpartisan think tank focused on technology policy and innovation economics. Directly comparable to FAI's tech-policy focus on AI, energy, and industrial strategy, with a more centrist framing and longstanding publication record.
• Federation of American Scientists (FAS): Nonprofit science policy organization focused on applied science, emerging technology, and national security. Direct peer: FAI and FAS co-presented the 'Measuring What Matters' workshop on science agency performance metrics.
• Hudson Institute: Conservative-leaning think tank with significant work on technology, AI, and national security policy. Comparable to FAI in publishing scholar-driven research, hosting events, and engaging Washington on technology issues from a right-leaning policy perspective.
• New America: Centrist think tank with programs on technology, AI, education, and governance. Direct peer to FAI: New America's Lee Drutman co-hosts the Politics in Question podcast with FAI Senior Fellow James Wallner.
• American Affairs: Quarterly journal and policy forum focused on political economy, technology, and American statecraft. Direct peer to FAI: they co-host the annual Energy Imperatives Summit and FAI's Thomas Hochman co-hosts the Right of Way podcast with American Affairs contributors.
• Institute for Progress: Technology and innovation policy organization focused on accelerating progress across science, AI, and emerging tech. Direct peer: FAI and IFP jointly organized the CEO letter to Congress on synthetic DNA screening and co-host the Moonshots happy hour series.
• R Street Institute: Libertarian-leaning think tank producing policy research on technology, energy, and governance. Comparable to FAI in publishing scholar-driven work and engaging state and federal policymakers, with a more libertarian framing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/joinfai
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JoinFAI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lincoln-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation for American Innovation