1
$400K for 7% on a SAFE plus $600K guaranteed in your next round, for founders still finding their idea.
🎁 $1M
8.0/10
What you get The SPC Founder Fellowship invests $400,000 upfront for 7% on a standard SAFE, plus $600,000 guaranteed in your next external round, for up to $1M in total. It starts with an eight-week bootcamp, then a Fellow Residency that lasts as long as you need. During the bootcamp you work from an SPC office in San Francisco, New… Read more →
Pros
- $400K for 7% plus a guaranteed follow-on
- Backs you before you have an idea
- Offices in SF, NYC and Bangalore
Cons
- Follow-on needs an external round
- Fixed application windows
Pricing: $1M investment · fellowship safe pre-idea community
2
$250,000 grant over two years, no equity, for builders aged 22 or under who skip or leave college.
🎁 $250k · #554k web rank · ▲ 1.2k this week
7.5/10
What you get The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year programme that gives each Fellow a $250,000 grant, paid over the two years. The FAQ says: "We do not take equity in your company." Fellows also join a community of past Fellows and mentors. Who qualifies Anyone aged 22 or younger without a university degree. You must skip or "stop out"… Read more →
Pros
- $250K with no equity
- Year-round applications
- No need to relocate
Cons
- Must be 22 or under and leave college
- Very selective
Pricing: $250k investment · fellowship grant equity-free young-founders
3
Sequoia's twice-yearly open call for pre-seed and seed founders, with a four-day Arc Intensive.
#41k web rank · ▲ 239 this week
6.5/10
What you get Arc is Sequoia Capital's open call for pre-seed and seed founders, held twice a year. Companies Sequoia partners with at these stages are invited to the Arc Intensive, a four-day programme in cohorts of about 10 companies. Sequoia does not publish a standard cheque or equity figure: "Every new pre-seed or seed stage partnership with Sequoia is… Read more →
Pros
- Direct access to Sequoia at pre-seed
- Short, focused intensive
Cons
- No published terms, amount or dates
Pricing: Free to apply · vc pre-seed seed open-call
4
One-week fellowship with an optional $10,000 investment at a $1B cap; rolling applications.
🎁 $10k
6.5/10
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;… Read more →
Pros
- Near-zero dilution
- No need to quit school or a job
- Rolling applications
Cons
- Only $10,000 and one week
Pricing: $10k investment · fellowship mentorship students small-cheque
5
One-week, in-person founder sprint in San Francisco; non-dilutive, pay-what-you-can (suggested $1,000).
6.0/10
What you get ODF (On Deck's founder programme; beondeck.com now redirects to joinodf.com) runs an intense one-week, in-person fellowship in San Francisco to meet collaborators, explore ideas and gain conviction. Cohorts have 80 to 100 people, more than half technical. You get lifetime access to a community of 3,000+ members, a library of workshops on fundraising, product and hiring, and… Read more →
Pros
- No equity
- Strong for co-founder search
- Large perks bundle
Cons
- No investment
- Suggested $1,000 contribution plus travel
Pricing: Free to apply · fellowship cofounder-search community non-dilutive