We noticed something important while helping founders get started at ODF: solo founders are significantly underestimated in the startup ecosystem.
Despite solo-founded companies like Midjourney, Vercel and ODF startups like Loyal, Pave, and Settle proving the model works, many investors continue to push founders to find co-founders before taking them seriously.
We're changing that narrative, starting today.
We're launching two initiatives to help encourage and support solo founders:
- Solo Club — a community for solo founders. Early members have raised from top investors, are successful second-time founders, etc.
- Solo Founders Program — a three-month program for ~6 solo founders in SF.
- Housing in SF with an additional full-floor office
- Incredibly talented founders who want to spend 3 months building alongside each other
- $800K+ in perks/credits
- Stipend for personal costs (as an investment)
Our first cohort for Solo Founders Program starts May 15th.
We have already accepted some incredible people (>25k stars on GitHub, one just signed a term sheet with a top VC; etc). Only 2-3 slots remain — apply today.
Why are we doing this?
Twenty years ago, Y Combinator challenged convention by backing young technical founders when others wouldn't. Today, we believe solo founders represent a similar opportunity - an undervalued group building remarkable companies.
Through ODF, we've seen that while finding great co-founders works for many, others thrive on their own. We want to support both paths.
If you're a solo founder building something exciting — join us.
If you apply for the Program you are automatically considered for the Community