This is not a fund. It is a build sprint. A rare opportunity to work directly with one of the most respected product design firms in the world, operating as an extension of your team.
You will get what you expect from an accelerator: strategic coaching, business modeling, and investor access. But you will also get what most founders never do. A world-class product concept. A brand that resonates. A design process that moves your vision forward with clarity and intent.
Whipsaw has spent the last 25 years bringing physical products, digital systems, and brand experiences to life. We have worked with startups, mid-stage ventures, and global companies. This program brings that depth of experience to early-stage founders for the first time.
We are not offering a generic structure for how to build a startup. We are helping you create a product that people want, built around a business that can last. The focus is on substance, not speed. On decisions that endure, not just ones that raise.
This is not a high-volume curriculum. It is intentionally small and hands-on. We join your team, work in sync, and build alongside you. We contribute to your progress without cannibalizing your ownership or your voice.
Founders are asked to contribute a mix of cash and equity. That structure is intentional. It protects your long-term upside and keeps your future open. We do not lock you into an ecosystem. We do not dictate your funding path. We are all taking a risk, but never at the expense of the founder.
You will gain access to knowledge, tools, and people that are not available anywhere else. From product definition and industrial design to storytelling, go-to-market planning, and investor strategy, you will be surrounded by experts who know how to launch.
We expect founders to bring more than an idea. You need an insight. A vision. Conviction. Drive. Or at least a clarified mix of these qualities. We meet you where you are, but we expect you to know why you’re here.
Over 10 weeks, you’ll build:
Every week, founder teams will have an in-person or remote 1<>1 session with the team, a skill development activity with Cristina, and a group seminar session. Outside of scheduled sessions, there will be a task list for the founder and for the Whipsaw team to keep things moving and meet program milestones.
An equity and cash-based model for aligned incentives.
In addition, you will be most successful if you can agree to:
This program is for founders who are:
We accept founders based on alignment, potential, and grit — assessed through your application, background, and interview. While its not required to be full-time on your project, it will certainly help you get the most out of the program.
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