Pricing
Access built around who you are.
Reading is free for everyone, forever. The paid tier is for the institutions that want to bring START to their people and shape what gets covered.
Free for the public. Free for vetted academics.
If you're reading, you never pay. If you're an academic contributing or vetting work in your field, you don't either. We mean it — the access model is the mission.
Reader
Free
For anyone who wants to understand.
- Full access to every published brief
- Sources on every claim
- Follow fields you care about
- No account required to read
Contributor
Freefor vetted academics
For researchers who want to translate or vet.
- Everything in Reader
- Contributor dashboard
- Translate and vet work in your field
- A public, citable record of your contributions
- Verified-academic badge
Institution
Let's talk
For universities, libraries, and research organisations.
- Everything in Contributor
- Priority coverage of your field or department
- Branded collections
- Onboarding for your researchers
- Usage reporting
Compare plans
| Feature | Reader | Contributor | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read every brief | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sources on every claim | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Follow fields | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Translate & vet research | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public contribution record | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified-academic badge | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority field coverage | — | — | ✓ |
| Branded collections | — | — | ✓ |
| Usage reporting | — | — | ✓ |
| Price | Free | Free (vetted) | Custom |
Questions
Is reading really free?
Yes. Every published brief is free to read, with no account required and no paywall. That isn't a launch promotion — free public access is the reason START exists.
Who counts as a "vetted academic"?
Someone with demonstrable standing in a field — typically verified through an institutional email and a brief review of your background. Vetting is about relevant expertise, not prestige.
How do you make money if the public pays nothing?
Institutions pay for priority coverage, branded collections, and onboarding for their researchers. Public reading stays free regardless.
Can I contribute if I've left academia?
Often, yes. Standing in a field doesn't evaporate when you leave a university. Apply and tell us about your background.
What stops briefs from being biased?
Two things: every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself, and no brief is published until a second vetted academic has reviewed it against the original.