The program
Two classes a year. Six companies each.
Classes start in spring and fall and run entirely online, so you keep your job, your storefront and your city. You keep working with us until you hit the graduation standard — not until a calendar says you're done.
The path
Six steps from application to funded.
- 01
Apply
Open online applications. Anyone can apply — no warm intro, no connections required.
- 02
Select
Interviews and our review team choose six teams per class.
- 03
First check
The Underdogs Fund invests in every company we accept, for a fair share, on terms published up front.
- 04
Build
Twelve-plus weeks of weekly dinners, office hours, Unpolished Pitches and Pitch Perfect sessions.
- 05
Graduate
Hit the full investor-ready standard. No time limit — you graduate when the numbers say so.
- 06
Get funded
Graduates go in front of our investor partners, ready for the next check.
The first check
Every company we accept gets funded.
Tier A
Ready to scale
Real revenue, real systems. The biggest checks go to companies closest to the graduation standard.
Tier B
Early traction
Customers are paying. The check matches what you need to grow, clean up the books and build the team.
Tier C
Idea to first customer
Early days. The check gets you set up, selling and building toward the standard.
Check size and terms depend on your tier, and the exact terms are published before anyone applies — same terms for everyone in a tier, no negotiating against yourself. The fund's review team sets final terms with lawyers; the check can be a simple agreement (a SAFE) or a direct purchase of shares. Nothing here is an offer of investment.
What you get
More than a check: the tools, the people and the stage.
Services
- Mentors and weekly office hours
- Student interns and faculty mentors from university partners
- Monthly Unpolished Pitches and Pitch Perfect coaching
- Legal, accounting and fundraising clinics
- Help getting ready for grants and government or community loans (SBA, CDFI)
- Investor introductions and pitch day
Tools
- Paid research tools (PitchBook, Crunchbase)
- Claude and Lovable to build faster
- A podcast and content studio
- Alumni app and founder portal
- Virtual coworking tables and open office hours