VC Firm Investment Thesis Worksheet

The Founder Institute focuses on technology and technology-enabled businesses, including hardware and traditional businesses like food, ecommerce, and brick and mortar, as long as the business can scale through technology. Non-scalable service-based companies, such as consultancies and agencies, are typically not accepted.

The Founder Institute works with entrepreneurs before they have a live product or traction, providing a structured process, expert mentorship, and a global network to help them reach traction and funding. In contrast, Techstars and Y Combinator typically work with companies that already have a team, live product, and some traction.

The Founder Institute requires a minimum of 20 hours of work per week on average. This includes joining each two-hour weekly session, completing additional networking hours, and finishing 10-15 hours of sprint work before the next session, along with a team meeting. The time commitment can be greater if a founder is also working on a prototype or other business aspects.

Yes, the Entrance Fee is refundable before the third session of the program (Nov 05, 2026 for the Paris - Austria Fall 2026 program). This allows participants to evaluate if the program is right for them. Refunds are processed within 30 days after the 'Revenue & Business Models' session.

Yes, the Founder Institute has partnered with Partial.ly to offer flexible payment plans. You can choose your down payment amount and make monthly payments, though there is a 5% service fee. To inquire about a payment plan, reply to any email you have received from them.

Yes, the Founder Institute encourages founding teams to apply. A typical cohort includes roughly 40% teams and 60% solo-founders. Teams can enroll for a discounted Entrance Fee: teams of 2-3 pay 1.5x the fee, and teams of 4-5 pay 2x the fee. Each co-founder must apply separately, and the 2.5% pledge to the Equity Collective remains per company, not per founder.

On average, about 30% of founders are able to complete the program. Completion requires joining the Feedback Sessions, completing all Growth Sprints satisfactorily, and receiving satisfactory ratings from Mentors.

Yes, joining the sessions is mandatory. However, exceptions can be made for emergencies, illness, or pre-planned travel that prevents attending one or two sessions. It is important to communicate any schedule conflicts as early as possible to Local Leaders. Key sessions like Orientation, Mentor Idea Review, and Mentor Progress Review should never be missed.