Z Fellows 🚀 Accelerator

What you get

Z Fellows is a one-week programme that brings you together with founders of large tech companies. You can take part without money, or take a $10,000 investment at a $1B valuation cap that converts into stock at your next priced round. Cohorts are mostly virtual, with a final in-person day in San Francisco or New York City; most participants spend the whole week in one of those cities.

Who qualifies

No age limit; past Fellows include high-school dropouts, students and people with full-time jobs. You do not need a company yet (Z Fellows can help set one up), you can apply solo or with co-founders, and you do not need to quit school or your job.

Good to know

• No deadline: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for several cohorts a year.
• Rejected applicants can reapply.
• At a $1B cap the $10,000 converts to a tiny stake.

Verdict

A low-risk way to get mentors and a first small cheque at almost no dilution. Useful as a starting push, not as funding.

1. Read zfellows.com.
2. Fill in the Google Form linked on the site (one application per team, listing co-founders).
3. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
4. Choose whether to take the $10,000 investment.