Academic Initiative was a question-writing company founded in Michigan around 2000 by former Detroit Catholic Central player Joseph Marsanno, which provided questions to area tournaments. At some point in the mid-2000s the name and assets were purchased by Dave Bykowski, who expanded the company's horizons. At one time they were the official supplier of questions to the state championships of Kentucky and Arkansas. Other known employees included Ted Gioia and Evan Silberman. AI was able to hire high school students in the DC-area "good quizbowl" world to write for tournaments held elsewhere, though they also ran a PACE NSC-style set for the 2008 Gonzaga tournament and several other tournaments in the DC area itself.