Apply to FOUNDER.org

FOUNDER.org invests in young innovators solving important problems and helps you build a world changing company.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.

How to Apply

  1. Our second application cycle deadline was February 28, 2016. Applications are evaluated and accepted on a first come first serve basis. Submitting your application early gives you a big advantage. We have more time to read and consider your application and we get very busy as we receive more applications.
  2. If there is a good match, we will invite you to present to our associates and executives. These presentations usually take place online.
  3. Following your presentation, we will create and share with you feedback on your 8D assessment across our eight dimensions for creating a world changing company.
  4. We will invite up to 50 of the most promising applicants to join the class.
  5. The new class will kickoff at the World Founder Forum in June 2016. The WFF is the global event for all FOUNDER.org classes and alumni.

 

What Happens Next

  1. Every team is awarded up to $100K at the World Founder Forum.
  2. Teams are matched with their executive mentor and their program mentor.
  3. The class starts the deep 8D challenge journey.
  4. Teams and mentors work together on challenges and aspects of the company during weekly office hours.
  5. Teams gather every three months at our quarterly forums to meet investors, customers and share their progress.

 

Who is Eligible?

Students, recent graduates and faculty from accredited universities around the world.

 

How We Make Decisions

We assess each application on eight dimensions. What matters most is the impact of your idea, who is on your team and how thoughtful you have been about your business model. The eight dimensions include:

  • Idea,
  • Team
  • Product
  • Business Planning
  • Market Development
  • Customer Development
  • Operations
  • Fundraising

 
Each dimension is as important as the other in building a company, but early on during the application process, we put more emphasis on Idea, Team and the business model aspect of Business Planning.

 

What is the timeframe?

50 teams will be invited to this year’s class. Our second application cycle deadline was February 28, 2016. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis – slots are filled as applications come in. The one year program begins with the World Founder Forum in June 2016.

Read the FAQ for more information.

 

“Applying to FOUNDER.org was the tipping point for us to get out of the lab and focus on building our company. The funding enabled us to dedicate 100% of our time to our real passion of advancing personalized medicine. It has provided us with the business education we never had."

— Nathalie Brandenburg, Sun Bioscience
caption imageNathalie Brandenburg is a founder of Sun Bioscience