Founder

Founder in Residence

Build a Business. Earn Your First Paying Customer.

Location: Princeton, New Jersey

Program: 90 Day Founder Residency (In Person)

Work Authorization: Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in the United States. A Foundery does not provide visa sponsorship.

Relocation: Founders selected for the residency must be willing to relocate to Princeton, New Jersey for the full 90 Day in-person residency.

Most Careers Reward Your Time.

We Reward What You Build.

A Foundery is a venture studio that builds profitable AI-enabled businesses alongside exceptional founders.We are not an accelerator.We are not an incubator.We are not a co-working space.We become your venture-building partner.Our philosophy is simple.The first paying customer is the first real proof that a business deserves to exist.Everything we do is designed to help founders reach that milestone faster.

Your Mission

During your first 90 days, you have one objective.Acquire Your First Paying Customer.Not raise funding.Not create a pitch deck.Not collect followers.Not build features customers never asked for.Everything you do should move you closer to your first customer.Because revenue creates clarity.

What You’ll Do

As the Founder, you own the business.Your responsibilities include:

• Talking to customers.
• Understanding real customer problems.
• Validating market demand.
• Building the right solution.
• Winning your first paying customers.
• Building lasting customer relationships.
• Leading the growth of your company.
• No one can build trust with customers better than the founder.
• That responsibility cannot be delegated.

What Foundery OS Brings to the Table

While you focus on customers and growing your business,Foundery OS provides the operational foundation that allows you to execute faster.

Think of Foundery OS as the operating system behind your company.

Founder Backing

Every successful company begins with someone willing to believe in the founder before the rest of the market does.

At A Foundery, we aim to be those first believers.

We invest in founders with conviction, providing the resources, infrastructure, and operational support needed to transform promising ideas into real businesses.

Our goal is simple:Help you build a company customers are willing to pay for.

Venture Support

• Founder Residency Support during the residency
• Early-stage venture funding to validate and build the business
• Access to shared business infrastructure
• AI platforms and automation tools
• Proven operating systems and playbooks
• Templates, workflows, and knowledge resources

Business Infrastructure

• Professional office space in Princeton
• Meeting rooms and collaboration facilities
• Business technology and productivity tools

Business Operations

• HR support
• Recruiting support
• Accounting and finance support
• Administrative operations
• Legal coordination
• Back-office support

Founder Development

• Weekly founder reviews
• Strategic guidance
• Accountability and execution coaching
• Access to experienced entrepreneurs
• Access to advisors and subject matter experts
• A community of ambitious founders building alongside you

Founder Residency

The Founder Residency is an intensive 90-day venture-building program conducted entirely in person in Princeton, New Jersey.

The residency is conducted under a consulting agreement. Founders who successfully complete the residency and achieve the required milestones may receive a full-time employment offer as Venture Builders.

During the residency, you will participate full-time while building your business.

You will receive:

• Up to $11,000 in Founder Residency Support during the 90-day program to help offset eligible relocation and residency-related expenses while participating full-time in Princeton.
• Access to Foundery OS.
• Daily collaboration with experienced founders and operators.
• AI tools and business systems.
• A focused environment designed for execution.

Graduation

Success is measured by outcomes, not attendance.

To successfully complete the Founder Residency, you should demonstrate:

• A validated business opportunity.
• A solution customers value.
• Your first paying customer.
• Strong execution.
• Founder-level ownership and leadership.

Venture Builder

Founders who successfully complete the residency may receive an offer to join A Foundery as a Venture Builder.

The offer becomes effective upon:

• Successful completion of the 90