Upgradable

Upgradable is an applied research lab founded by James Norris with the stated mission of solving human flourishing. The organization's core offering is the Upgrade Program (UP), a systematic life optimization service for strategic, values-aligned individuals dedicated to doing the most good in the world, particularly those working on AI safety and existential risk reduction. The organization traces its roots to 2007, when James Norris developed the first iteration of what would become the Upgrade Program. It operated for years under the brand Self Spark and helped co-found EA Global (Effective Altruism Global) and Effective Altruism Ventures in 2015. The organization was rebranded as Upgradable and publicly relaunched in 2025. James Norris, its founder and CEO, is also the Executive Director of the Center for Existential Safety and has co-founded or helped build 27 organizations with cumulative operations of over 200 years. Upgradable has advised, consulted for, incubated, or otherwise supported 50+ organizations in the AI safety and effective altruism space since 2012. The Upgrade Program spans up to 29 life areas including career strategy, productivity, emotional wellbeing, physical health, financial security, relationships, and emergency preparedness. The organization positions itself as a personal assistant service for high-impact workers, offering free self-directed resources alongside paid coaching and specialist engagements lasting from one day to one year. For AI safety entrepreneurs, Upgradable also provides startup templates, organizational frameworks, and custom organization-building services. Upgradable has taken a Profits for Safety Pledge, committing 100% of profits to existential safety efforts. It accepts donations to subsidize services for financially-constrained AI safety advocates. The organization operates with a non-traditional employment model emphasizing results-only work, open-book management, and contribution-based compensation.