Founders, Inc. has expanded details on Artifact, its flagship five-week, in-person builder program designed to help founders turn early ideas into tangible products and secure their first institutional backing. The program runs from January 12 to February 13 at the Founders, Inc. Campus in Fort Mason, San Francisco, with applications closing on December 31.
The Artifact Program is positioned as a high-conviction pathway for founders with vision, technical depth, and execution ability. Founders, Inc. says it backs builders with “vision and grit,” offering not just capital, but long-term support and belief in their ability to build category-defining companies.
Funding and Investment Focus
Founders accepted into the Founders, Inc. Artifact Program are eligible for checks of up to $250,000, with equity ranging between 4% and 7%. The firm says it keeps its equity ask intentionally low to allow founders to retain ownership of their journey.
Founders, Inc. primarily invests in emerging technologies and next-generation industries, including:
- AR/VR and Gaming
- Hardware
- AI and Machine Learning
- Web3
- Developer Tools
- Consumer Technology
However, the firm emphasizes that founders outside these categories are still encouraged to apply if they are building something compelling.
More Than a VC, Not Just an Accelerator
Founders, Inc. makes a clear distinction between itself and traditional venture capital firms or accelerators. While it does write checks, the organization describes itself as a long-term home for builders, rather than a short-term, transactional investor.
Unlike accelerators that end after a few months, Founders, Inc. allows founders to build on campus over extended periods. Many founders, according to the firm, go on to programs like Y Combinator and later return to Founders, Inc. to continue building, leveraging the space, community, and resources until they physically outgrow the campus.
Access to the Founders, Inc. Campus
Participants in the Artifact Program gain full access to the Founders, Inc. Campus, which includes:
- A dedicated desk among active San Francisco builders
- Daily lunches
- Media and content recording studios
- Hardware lab access
- 1:1 office hours with partners and founders
- Fundraising support
- Exclusive events, talks, and founder sessions
- Gym and shared facilities
Founders, Inc. says its goal is to remove as much friction as possible between founders and meaningful progress.
Who Is a Good Fit?
According to Founders, Inc., successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- A strong track record of building
- Technical capability and curiosity
- Focus on emerging technologies
- Clear founder–market fit
- A unique point of view
- High ambition and drive
- A generous, community-oriented mindset
Founders are encouraged to apply once they have a strong conviction about what they are building, prior projects with some traction, and a clear plan for how investment capital will be used.
No Decks, No Pitches
In a departure from traditional fundraising processes, Founders, Inc. does not accept pitch decks or formal presentations. Instead, founders are invited to apply directly. Selected applicants may be invited to build at the Founders, Inc. lab for one to two weeks, after which an investment decision is made based on real execution.
Not Ready for Funding Yet?
For founders who are not yet ready to raise capital, Founders, Inc. offers 4–6 week structured programs designed to help builders move from idea to momentum. These programs focus on accountability, weekly progress, office hours, and cohort-based building, with the goal of preparing founders for future investment.
Benefits Artifact Program Offers
The Founders, Inc. Artifact Program is a full-time, on-site accelerator that immerses participants in five weeks of focused product development. The programme concludes with a demo showcase, where top-performing teams may receive:
- Up to $250,000 in funding
- Up to $500,000 in startup credits
Participants are expected to build continuously, collaborate with other founders, and ship a usable product by the end of the programme.
Application Requirements
Founders applying for the program are required to submit:
- Personal and contact information
- A 60-second Loom or YouTube introduction video
- Company name and a one-line product description
- Details of previous projects or notable work
- Co-founder status
- Links to LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter)
- User traction or early milestones, if available
- Product demo links (recommended)
- Location and availability to attend full-time in San Francisco
- Technical background and funding history
Interested founders can apply for the Founders, Inc. Artifact Program through the official application portal:
Application Link:
With the December 31 deadline approaching, Founders, Inc. encourages founders to stop delaying execution and focus on building the first version of what could become a lasting company.
Founders interested in building with Founders, Inc. can apply for the Founders, Inc. Artifact Program by submitting details about what they are building. The team reviews applications and typically responds within one month.
Applications close December 31.