The world should
know your story.

Startups and founders from every country are welcome. There are no application restrictions based on age, language, business form, or whether you have raised funding. AI and non-AI businesses, ideas and established products, solo founders and teams are all welcome. Parent or guardian authorization applies where legally required; under-13 founders should have a guardian complete the same form using the guardian’s contact details. Partner offers and eventual investments have their own requirements.

We consider the founder, the journey and capacity to grow, the startup’s potential, and the story ahead. We want specific experiences, honest decisions and meaningful progress. We do not rank people by school, fame, application length, camera polish, or Premium purchase. You do not have to disclose personal trauma to tell a compelling story.

No. Start with basic contact details and a working startup name, then introduce your team and business in two short answers. Links, uploaded files and the final referral / thank-you question are optional; a few honest sentences per answer are enough. If you advance, we’ll invite you to share a short founder video and, if needed, additional materials.

Applying and participating in the casting process are free. Premium is an optional US$199 package per startup, paid once, for startup credits and partner benefits, storytelling and fundraising toolkits, learning resources, and an Application Activity Dashboard. It does not improve selection odds. You can upgrade from the Premium page at any time. This includes Founder Mode’s partner referrals and guidance for startup perks. For the HubSpot collection, upgrade to Premium and create your HubSpot account through Founder Mode’s dedicated link. Provider eligibility and redemption requirements apply.

The 150 selected finalist startup teams receive on-screen representation, a professionally produced Founder Story Film, and a global founder cohort experience with opportunities for feedback, idea validation, mentor connections and investor conversations. Promotional use of your film is covered by the participant agreement. Screen time, placement and edits are editorial decisions. Only founders invited as the competition progresses travel for Silicon Valley filming.

The format is in development and distribution discussions are underway, targeting a major streaming platform. A platform and release date have not been announced. We will share confirmed details as they become available.

The finale will take place in Silicon Valley. This season’s investors are based in the United States. Founders invited to travel for official filming will receive meals and accommodation during the filming period, plus an invitation letter if needed. A letter does not guarantee a visa or entry.

The total investment prize pool is US$2 million. One champion team receives a US$1 million investment award; one runner-up and one third-place team share a combined US$1 million. Their individual allocations will be announced separately. Awards are investments, subject to due diligence, applicable requirements and definitive agreements. Structure and terms will be disclosed before acceptance.

Yes. Founder Mode’s Microsoft referral support is included in the optional Premium package. Eligible Premium startups do not have to be finalists for the starting $25,000 offer. Microsoft verification, activation and progression requirements apply.

The lead founder lists co-founders’ names and emails with their permission. Each co-founder then completes their own profile and consents using the same startup name. After submitting, share the co-founder profile link from your confirmation page. Invitation emails are not sent automatically. Your initial application does not need to wait for every co-founder. For a co-founder under 13, use their guardian’s name and contact details; their guardian can submit the same form.

Yes. Submit online and save your private edit link. Use it to update answers and add materials before the application deadline. Submitting confirms your application and authorizes casting review under the Application Terms. Changes do not automatically reopen a decision already made. Optional sharing preferences can still be changed at any time; Premium upgrades are separate. Keep your edit link confidential.

Before submitting, you accept the Application Terms and Submission Media Release. This lets Founder Mode edit and feature your submitted story, current startup information and permitted materials in its storytelling, program and promotion. Private contact details, edit links, confidential information and earlier private materials are excluded from that media release. New filming requires a separate agreement. A second, optional checkbox allows sharing your application with investors in Founder Mode’s affiliated partner network. Leaving it unchecked does not affect casting; you can change that investor-sharing choice later.

No. Everyone starts with the online application. Selected applicants are invited to share a short founder video and, if needed, additional materials. A further shortlist is invited to a Zoom conversation with the casting team. You only need to apply now; instructions for later rounds come with an invitation.

18 million is our target viewership across the season. One billion is our target for cross-platform impressions: the total number of times campaign content is displayed across channels, not a count of unique people. These are season-wide planning targets, not guarantees or an allocation to each startup. Individual exposure varies, and distribution is still being finalized.

Premium gives you access to the full collection of partner offers made available through the package, including new confirmed additions during the season. Microsoft for Startups and HubSpot for Startups are confirmed; additional partners and resources are in development. Access means you can explore and apply to the included offers. Each provider decides eligibility and activation; it does not mean unlimited access to all of a provider’s products.

Round schedules and production dates will be communicated as they are confirmed. Invitations and requests for more information come by email. Sending an application does not guarantee advancement, a personal review call, investment, or a release date.