Apply · Founding cohort · Fall 2026
Ten seats. One of them might be yours.
We read for the founder underneath, not the resume. The eight weeks manufacture the idea, the product, and the traction. What we cannot manufacture is drive, and that is the only thing we are looking for.
Start the application Closes Sun Sep 20, 11:59 PM
- No idea required.
- No team required.
- No experience required.
- Passion required.
Three cuts, three weeks.
- Sat Sep 12 Applications open The form opens at the first Generator Cafe of the semester.
- Sun Sep 20, 11:59 PM Applications close Deliberately 11:59, not midnight.
- Wed Sep 23 to Fri Sep 25 Conversations Thirty minutes with two of us. A conversation, not a resume read.
- Sat Sep 26, 10 AM Working session A small group works a real problem together in the Foundry.
- Mon Sep 28 Offers Offers go out, the Founder Agreement follows.
- Sat Oct 3 Launch Cafe Cohort 1 meets in the room for the first time.
Five questions and sixty seconds of video.
No example answers, because there is not a right one. Write like you talk.
- 01 Who are you and how did you get here? A video, no more than 60 seconds. Unlisted YouTube link.
- 02 Tell us the story of something meaningful you materialized. Why did you do it? Up to 1,000 characters.
- 03 What is the hardest thing you have ever chosen to do? Up to 1,000 characters.
- 04 What is something that fascinates you to no end? Why, and where has that fascination taken you? Up to 1,000 characters.
- 05 What did you do yesterday? Up to 500 characters.
We ask a lot because we believe you are capable of a lot.
- You can attend all required Founder Sessions (Saturdays, 10 AM) and Venture Sessions (Mondays, 6:30 PM).
- You understand Ignite requires meaningful work outside of scheduled sessions and you are prepared to make that commitment.
- If accepted, you are prepared to commit to Ignite for the full program.