Pillar VC Expands into UK and Launches Encode, an AI for Science Fellowship

LONDON — Pillar VC is today launching the Encode AI for Science Fellowship. Established by Pillar VC with the support of the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), the Fellowship will place top AI talent in leading UK science labs working in ARIA’s opportunity spaces, which covers climate, science, robotics, neurotechnologies and more. Additionally, Pillar VC is announcing that Leah Morris has joined the firm as its UK Director to manage the Encode Fellowship.

Encode AI for Science Fellowship

“New science is how we are going to solve some of the most important challenges facing the world, and the biggest lever we have on the speed of science is AI,” said Tony Kulesa, Partner at Pillar VC. “As our team considered how we could grow our efforts in integrating AI with fundamental research, working with ARIA to launch Encode in the UK was a natural decision. For centuries, the UK has had world-class science coming out of its universities. In recent years, the country has also become an AI powerhouse with DeepMind and a thriving startup scene. We look forward to working with ARIA as we identify and place top AI talent as fellows in leading UK research labs.”

Each AI fellow selected for the one-year Encode Fellowship will receive a competitive stipend, access to state-of-the-art computing resources, and the opportunity to work on pressing scientific challenges in ARIA’s opportunity spaces. Encode Fellows will also have the opportunity to collaborate with leaders working on the frontier of AI for Science, including Rohit Prasad, Steve Crossan, and Debbie Marks. 

"We're excited to partner with Pillar VC as they bring their expertise in forming great teams, and identifying opportunities for scientific advances to the UK through the Encode Fellowship,” said Pippy James, Chief Product Officer at ARIA. “Through our Activation Partnership, Pillar will also invest in ecosystem development through events, programming, and post-fellowship support, helping us transform innovative projects into ventures, nonprofits, and focused research organizations with tangible, real-world impact."

Since the firm’s launch in 2016, Pillar VC has helped dozens of scientists and academics commercialize their research, playing an active role in the formation and funding of companies including Neural Magic (acquired by Red Hat), Algorand, and VideaHealth. As part of the Encode Fellowship, Pillar VC will offer its expertise to Fellows in licensing intellectual property, forming founding teams, and identifying translational opportunities for scientific research. 

Applications for the Encode fellowship open on March 20th, with applications due on April 30th. Over the next month, Pillar VC will host a number of information sessions at leading universities across the UK for academic researchers interested in hosting AI talent in their labs as well as for AI talent that want to work on the world’s hardest science problems. To learn more about the information sessions and apply for Encode, visit http://encode.pillar.vc/. 

Leah Morris Joins Pillar VC to Manage Encode Fellowship 

“Over the last decade, I’ve seen time and again the incredible impact of bringing people from industry and academic backgrounds together to commercialize scientific research,” said Morris. “I’m confident that The Encode Fellowship will lead to the formation of many world-changing companies.” 

Morris’s career has spanned AI research, entrepreneurship, and venture capital investing. Prior to Pillar VC, Morris was a senior director at Radical Ventures, where she oversaw the firm’s responsible AI strategy and research partnership initiatives. Previously, Morris conducted research on the economic principles of AI at the University of Toronto and also worked in global health and security for nonprofits in Jamaica and South Africa. Morris holds an MBA from The University of Toronto, a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and a Bachelor’s in both International Development Studies (IDS) and Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS) from the University of King’s College.

About Pillar VC 

Pillar VC is an early-stage venture firm co-founded by a group of CEOs who have built highly successful companies, including the leaders of Wayfair, Ginkgo Bioworks, DraftKings, and Tripadvisor.  Pillar invests in scientific breakthroughs at the very earliest stages. From university labs to independent research, Pillar finds and funds the advances that will reshape how we live, work, and solve global challenges. Pillar is typically the first-capital-in for founders building next-generation pillar companies. The firm’s investments span over 90 companies, 50% with university roots and have raised $500M across four funds. 

About ARIA 

The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) is a UK R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. Created by an Act of Parliament, and sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, ARIA funds teams of scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of what is scientifically and technologically possible.