Founder-in-ResidenceSelective operator program

Build a companyalready validated

We originate ventures, validate them, and put a build team and capital process behind them. You bring the operating leadership. You become the founder.

Remote-first today. The Toronto studio opens after first close. We don't promise a check before the evidence earns it.

Apply as a Founder‑in‑Residence

The exchange

A venture platform for an operator ready to own the outcome

What you get

01A validated concept and the IP behind it
02An in-house build team across engineering, product, and design
03Funding through our studio process. Capital follows evidence
04Fund operations, cap table, and compliance handled, so you build, not administer

What we expect

01A 0-to-1 operator who's built or run something real
02Deep domain edge in your space
03Someone ready to be the face and the force of one venture
04Comfort joining pre-funding for equity plus milestone-based cash

The shape of the deal: a meaningful founding equity stake, milestone cash from the start, and a market salary once studio capital deploys at Commit. If a venture stops at a gate, the cash you earned stays yours, and a strong operator can be matched to the next concept. Early evaluation can run alongside your current role; full commitment begins with the build cycle.

How it works

From matched operator to committed venture

Six-week decision cycles with evidence at every gate. Advance, adjust, or stop. If your venture clears, studio capital deploys and you lead it forward.

Validated concept01
Start beyond the napkin
We originate and pressure-test the opportunity before asking you to lead it. You enter with evidence, not just a thesis.
Operator match02
Find founder-market fit
We look for 0-to-1 judgment and a domain edge strong enough to make the venture credibly yours to lead from day one.
Build cycle03
Six weeks to proof
You lead alongside the AOS product, design, engineering, and go-to-market pod. Every cycle ends in a decision.
Commit04
Capital follows evidence
When the gates clear, studio capital deploys and the venture is yours to run. Otherwise we adjust or stop.

This is the process behind the ventures we already run. See the portfolio

Is this you?

A scorecard, not a recruiting funnel

Operator evidence01

You have built or run something real

A company, a product line, a regulated program, or a difficult operating function with consequences.

Domain edge02

You know something the market does not

You bring proprietary insight, earned relationships, distribution, or hard-won regulatory understanding.

Founder-market fit03

The match scores 7/10 or higher

Scored against the criteria on this page. The venture needs your particular operating history, not a generic executive profile.

Commitment shape04

You can join before conventional funding

Equity plus milestone-based cash first. This isn't a salaried role for someone waiting to be handed a company.

Not for pure idea people, anyone needing a salary on day one, or anyone without an edge in their domain. We cover the concept, IP, team, and capital; you bring the leadership to turn it into a company.

Apply

Founding cohort

Tell us what you've built, where your domain edge comes from, and why you're ready to become the founder of one focused venture. We read every application ourselves.