Founder

What You’ll Do

• Talking to customers.
• Understanding real customer problems.
• Validating market demand.
• Building the right solution.
• Winning your first paying customers.
• Building lasting customer relationships.
• Leading the growth of your company.

What Foundery OS Brings to the Table

• Foundery OS provides the operational foundation that allows you to execute faster.
• Foundery OS includes:
• Professional office space in Princeton.
• Meeting rooms and collaboration facilities.
• Business technology and productivity tools.
• HR support.
• Accounting and finance support.
• Administrative operations.
• Legal coordination.
• Foundry OS offers:
• Weekly founder reviews.
• Strategic guidance.
• Accountability and execution coaching.
• Access to experienced entrepreneurs.
• Access to advisors and subject matter experts.
• A community of ambitious founders building alongside you.

Founder Residency

• The Founder Residency is an intensive 90-day venture-building program conducted entirely in person in Princeton, New Jersey.
• The residency is conducted under a consulting agreement.
• To successfully complete the Founder Residency, you should demonstrate:
• A validated business opportunity.
• A solution customers value.
• Your first paying customer.
• Strong execution.
• Founder-level ownership and leadership.

Venture Builder

• Venture Builder Founders who successfully complete the residency may receive an offer to join A Foundery as a Venture Builder.
• The offer becomes effective upon:
• Successful completion of the 90-day residency.
• Acquisition of the first paying customer.
• Achievement of agreed business milestones.
• Mutual agreement to continue building the venture.
• Venture Builders may receive:
• An annual salary of $80,000 to $120,000.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Long-term leadership opportunities.
• Continued access to Foundery OS.
• The opportunity to accumulate significant equity through sustained execution, leadership, and measurable business performance.

Our Definition of Success

• Our goal isn’t simply to help you complete a 90-day residency.
• Our objective is to help you build a business with the systems, customers, processes, and leadership needed to operate independently.
• Within one year, our goal is for you to be confidently leading your own company, with us becoming an advisor and strategic partner rather than part of your day-to-day operations.
• By then, you should have:
• Paying customers.
• Growing recurring revenue.
• Repeatable operating systems.
• AI-enabled business processes.
• A capable team.
• A sustainable business model.
• Increasing ownership and long-term wealth creation.

Ownership

• Ownership is earned, not granted.
• We believe the people who create long-term value should share meaningfully in the value they create.
• As your company grows and you achieve meaningful business milestones, you’ll have the opportunity to accumulate significant equity through sustained execution, leadership, and business performance.
• Many founders gradually give up ownership as they raise capital and build their companies.
• Our philosophy is different. Our objective is to help founders increase their ownership as they demonstrate the ability to build, lead, and create lasting enterprise value.

Who We’re Looking For

• We care far more about your ability to build than your résumé.
• You may come from software engineering, product management, AI, consulting, operations, finance, sales, entrepreneurship, or another professional background.
• What matters most is that you:
• Think like an owner.
• Learn quickly.
• Execute consistently.
• Embrace accountability.
• Enjoy solving difficult problems.
• Are comfortable with uncertainty.
• Use AI to increase your effectiveness.
• Want to create long-term value rather than simply earn a paycheck.

What We’re Not Looking For

• If you’re looking for a traditional corporate career.
• You prefer predictable routines over building something new.
• You avoid accountability.
• You’re uncomfortable speaking directly with customers.
• You expect guaranteed outcomes without measurable execution.
• You aren’t willing to work in person in Princeton during the residency.