Eko Devices is changing the future of cardiac care
Iceye is changing the future of satellite imaging
UNU is changing the future of urban mobility
Poly6 is changing the future of industrial materialsDepict is changing the future of artKonux is changing the future of industrial automation
Dmitry is changing the future of food productionRapid SOS is changing the future of emergency response
Early believers
FOUNDER.org has developed a new model for building and funding important world changing companies. Every year we choose 50 of the most innovative startups from universities around the world and award them each up to $100K. We then work intensely with each team for 12 months to build a sustainable foundation for growth based on our company building science. But our relationship doesn’t end there, we lead Seed and Series A rounds in promising teams. Alongside funding, our alumni network of the smartest young innovators on the planet continues to help long into the future.
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"From our first interaction, FOUNDER.org believed we could transform industrial automation by taking a radical approach to smart sensors. With their support, we are on our way to enabling billions of intelligence machines to act autonomously."
Andreas Kunze from Konux, creators of the smart sensor for industrial automationAn extraordinary experience
Connor Landgraf, Eko Devices
It’s so much more than just 12 months at FOUNDER.org, it’s a relationship. It continues on after that one year as you continue to learn, grow and get mentored by the people who supported you from the very beginning. They have seen us at our best and our worst and everything in between — and have always been incredibly supportive. That’s really a part of the relationship, not just being the first believers, but understanding the whole life cycle of the company, all the challenges and triumphs.
Kimberly Gordon, Depict
It is rare to get devoted attention and mentorship from such successful innovators and investors. The 8D system has enabled us to learn how to hire A Players and build a solid operating plan. FOUNDER.org is so much more than just access to funding. Working with Michael and the team has been amazing. Their organized approach to guiding us through our day to day and longer term challenges is something every new company needs. They are always focused on opportunities and growth in our business and have been since our earliest days.
Pascal Blum, Unu Motors
FOUNDER.org has not only been one of our earliest investors, but also our closest partner in building Unu from a small development workshop to an international mobility company. Their holistic approach and understanding for each stage of the business were essential for us as first-time founders and we would not be where we are without FOUNDER.org. Just as important as our professional relationship, we can call Michael and the entire team our trusted friends and can recommend working with them to every founder.
"I have never been part of a smarter, more passionate and genuinely helpful peer network. I don't know how they do it, but FOUNDER.org finds the best and brightest innovators on the planet."
Matthew Stellmaker is is with Poly6 which turns citrus rind waste into high performance plastics
World changing companies
We believe young innovators and their radical approaches to solving important problems will create a better future for us all. The startup world is obsessed with short term success, but solving important problems takes time. FOUNDER.org focuses on innovations that will have a real impact on our world. We’re helping the most promising young innovators get their ideas out into the wild and supporting their growth into sustainable companies. Our focus isn’t on a particular industry, but on the important problems facing our world today and into the future.
"The FOUNDER team pushed us from the beginning to dream bigger, take more risks and challenge the ophthalmology industry. Now our mobile device is delivering instant digital vision correction to patients in first world and developing countries."
Yaopeng Zhou of Smart Vision Labs, the digital ophthalmology companyRun by Silicon Valley innovators
Billion dollar companies in Silicon Valley. Been there and done that. Now we’re giving back to the next generation. Each of us is a hands on executive mentor working with a small number of teams. We bring our experience in technology, products, teams, business models, market and customer development, operations and fundraising to help young innovators bring their world changing ideas to life.
I kid you not, Michael Baum knows how to build a great team. He did it as Splunk and now again at FOUNDER.org and this time, he's putting his weight behind some of the best ideas I've ever seen.
Lindsay Stewart with Stringr which allows anyone with a smartphone to become a video news providerAt a university near you
FOUNDER.org is on campus at more than 70 schools around the world. Students, recent alumni and faculty from these universities can apply to work with us. We also collaborate with campus innovation and entrepreneurial societies (e.g. clubs, incubators and competitions) to advance their missions. Our goal is to significantly increase the number of young innovators who pursue their passions and improve their odds of creating world changing companies.
"FOUNDER.org has been a game-changing opportunity for our NYU teams. With the chance to be guided by top-notch mentors and be part of an elite global network of university startups, there's simply nothing else like it."
Cynthia Franklin is Professor of Entrepreneurship, Berkley Center, New York UniversityReady to Apply?
