Surplus: for massive public good

Surplus is an incubator for software startups, organized by Manifund and Mox — to create massive public good in the age of transformative AI. It’s a 3 month program, starting late July in SF. We provide seed funding, advice, peers, intros, and space to focus.“Surplus” is the value created through positive-sum trades; what markets produce in abundance.Apply here by June 24!Projects we’re excited for We’re open to many proposals, but here are three categories of projects we’re particularly well-suited to incubate. If your idea is adjacent — apply anyway!1. AI for epistemics and coordinationLLM-powered tools that help people think better, work together, and build common knowledge.Examples include:Fact-checking like Community Notes or PangramGuardian angels/”Digital Twins”, as described by GwernKnowledge bases like Grokipedia or Longterm WikiResearch reports like Elicit or Deep ResearchAI forecasting like Mantic or FuturesearchAI simulation of human preferences, like Simile or AaruAI for dispute resolution — community investigations; prediction-market criteriaAI for democratic resilience, resisting authoritarianism2. Public-facing websitesMany important concepts could be translated for a wider audience, with thoughtful design and an eye for virality.Examples include:Microsites like AI 2027, showcasing concepts through narrative & interactive designVisualizations like Epoch and Our World in DataTransparency for what’s happening inside labs, and across the AI supply chainCourses like Bluedot, helping people upskill into relevant domainsDemos like Nicky Case’s, or of topics from recent alignment research papersGames like Manifold or Universal Paperclips, teaching concepts through play3. Community infrastructureMarketplaces or platforms, addressing common problems in EA, AI safety, and others working towards a beautiful future.Examples include:Job platforms like the 80k Job Board or an “AI safety LinkedIn”Or other opportunities — fellowships, grassroots political coordinatio