Founder
Does your venture need a collaborative space and mentorship in order to scale?
Are you dedicated to adding value to the Nashville entrepreneurial ecosystem?
The Wond’ry team is here to help as you navigate being a new founder.
To inquire about any of the programs, you can book a meeting with Kyle Caruso here.
About the Founder Program
Founder provides resources, connections, mentorship, and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs that have:
- Undertaken an in-depth customer discovery process
- Found problem-solution fit and product-market fit
- Launched a for-profit or non-profit venture
We want to see you and your venture succeed, attract new customers, hire employees, and contribute to the growth and climate of the Nashville entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Founder Program and the Wond’ry do not take equity in the companies we support and there is currently no charge to participate in the program. Founder is open to faculty, students, staff, and alums of Nashville-area universities or colleges.
Founder is a community providing:
- Support and access to top-quality resources and mentorship
- Dedicated workspace
- Opportunities to participate in investor events
- Invitations to start-up workshops and exclusive speaker series
- A chance to showcase your venture
Duration
The Founder Program is a six-month to year-long support program for newly founded ventures and their founding team. Teams making tremendous strides may be given an opportunity to extend their participation for an additional term.
Resources
Founders accepted into the program will work with dedicated mentors that stick with them through thick and thin throughout the duration of the program. An array of in-kind services will be provided, as well as connections to resources and potential funders, pitch competition support, grant support, and much more.
Dedicated office space for Founder program participants is located in the Loews Office Tower at 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. This space is furnished and provides ventures with access to dedicated office space, a shared kitchen, outdoor balcony space, conference rooms, mailing address, limited storage and locker capacity, and wi-fi.
Expectations
Applicants should have completed the Wond’ry’s Sullivan Family Ideator Program and/or the Builder Programs, NSF I-Corps, or have clear evidence to show customer discovery has been undertaken. Ideal ventures can demonstrate evidence of product-market fit (have current paying customers or in-progress or completed pilots). An official legal entity must have been established prior to applying. That entity and the team powering it must be ready to grow. This is a high-touch program that is limited to a small number of founders each year.
Application
Applications for this exciting inaugural cohort are now open!
Applications are open year-round and selected teams are invited to join as space becomes available. Invited ventures are required to sign a participation agreement before move-in and provide proof of liability insurance. Resources are available to assist with obtaining the required insurance, if needed.