Founders Inc

Founded on the belief that talent flourishes with support and space, Founders, Inc. is a hybrid of a venture studio, long-term accelerator, and founder lab. Unlike traditional VCs or time-limited accelerators, Founders, Inc. provides ongoing support, access, and infrastructure to its community. The 42,000 square foot campus includes a fully equipped hardware lab, media studio, gym, gaming room, and open workspaces for up to 80 hand-picked founders. It’s an all-in-one operating environment designed to remove friction and accelerate innovation.

Their approach is intentionally unorthodox. Founders don’t pitch with decks — they apply with real projects and are invited to build onsite. The experience becomes a trial by building: if the alignment is strong and progress is evident, Founders, Inc. writes the first check — up to $250K — for a minimal equity exchange of 3–5%. But the value goes far beyond capital. Founders gain access to a support system including fundraising help, a media team, peer builders, expert office hours, and community events.

The portfolio speaks volumes. From real-time communication platform LiveKit, to AI tools like Inference and Anara, to hardware innovators like Aurelius Systems, Founders, Inc. is fostering companies solving real-world problems across cutting-edge verticals. It’s not just a bet on technologies — it’s a bet on those who are obsessively building the future.

This unique model has created a dynamic ecosystem where founders start at Founders, Inc., build momentum, and often go on to top accelerators like Y Combinator — before returning to the campus to continue scaling. This cyclical support structure ensures founders have a long-term home that evolves with their needs. Their model rejects the transactional nature of traditional VC and emphasizes ongoing, high-context relationships.

Other platforms may offer capital and mentorship — such as Y Combinator, Techstars, or StartX — but Founders, Inc. uniquely merges infrastructure, community, and creative freedom to create a space where the next generation of world-changing startups can emerge and thrive.

Founders, Inc. offers a powerful combination of capital, community, and infrastructure for next-generation founders:

• Founder-First Capital: Up to $250K in early-stage checks with minimal equity (3–5%), offered based on building progress, not pitch decks.
• 42,000 Sq Ft Fort Mason Campus: A fully equipped space featuring a hardware lab, media studio, gym, and gaming room — optimized for creation and collaboration.
• No Deadlines or Timelines: Unlike accelerators, there’s no cohort cycle. Founders can stay and grow as long as the fit is mutual.
• Hands-On Resources: From soldering irons to Sony cameras, founders have access to equipment and tools that turn ideas into reality.
• Community of Builders: Work alongside some of the most technical, curious, and ambitious founders in San Francisco’s startup scene.
• Programs for Early-Stage Ideas: 4–6 week build sprints to take projects from -1 to 0 with mentorship and accountability.
• Long-Term Relationship: Even after scaling, many founders return for community, events, and collaboration.

Getting started with Founders, Inc. is refreshingly straightforward — no decks, no fluff, just proof of initiative:

• Visit the Official Site: Head to f.inc and review what Founders, Inc. offers and expects from applicants.
• Apply Without a Deck: Share what you're building through their online application. If they like what they see, you’ll be invited to the campus.
• Build at the Lab: Spend a week or two building on-site. If there’s strong alignment, they may offer funding and a permanent seat at the lab.
• Join a Program: If you’re not yet ready for funding, apply to one of the 4–6 week build sprints designed to help you gain momentum.
• Stay Active Online: Posting your projects on social media is one of the best ways to get discovered by the Founders, Inc. team.
• Engage With the Community: Attend community events, demos, and Friday ship-its to network with the top builder community in SF.