Who it is for

Who the program is for

The founders and ideas WE builds with.

The program is built for a founder with a software-enabled or expertise-led company, from first idea to an operating business, who wants a long-term partner, a team and a method to test it, build it and grow it over the years it really takes. This page describes the profile in terms of what you bring, so you can judge your own fit before you apply.

You are a good fit if

You have a SaaS idea or an early product, and you can say who it is for.
You can describe the problem as the customer would, even if you are not yet sure it is real.
You are willing to test the idea with real customers, including when the answers are unwelcome.
You can make decisions for the company and join a review at each cycle.
You want a team and a method to carry out the work, and you will keep ownership of the direction.

WE is probably not the right fit if

You need a physical office, on-site staff or in-person work. WE is fully remote.
You are looking for money rather than a team. WE makes no promise of funding.
You want WE to run your product in production or to provide round-the-clock support.
You want WE to give legal or tax advice, keep your books or file your taxes.
Your idea is not a software-as-a-service product.

Stages WE serves

WE serves a company from first idea to its first customers. A founder can join at the stage that matches the evidence already in hand: with an idea, at Dream; with a validated problem, at Build; with a product in use, at Grow.

Layered coastline contours in blue at dawn with an amber sun on the horizon.

Survey altitude

Dream: Validate the problem and the customer before anything is built.

The survey altitude: see the whole territory before you choose where to dig.

A blueprint-style steel frame drawn in pale lines on deep blue with an amber dimension line.

Blueprint altitude

Build: Turn the validated idea into a product that ships.

The blueprint altitude: draw what will be built, then build only that.

Terraced hillside bands in blue with a hexagon field pattern and a small amber sun.

Territory altitude

Grow: Earn customers and become a company an investor can examine.

The territory altitude: you are on the ground, with customers and a record of what happened.

The long game

Move fast every week. Build for the decade.

Founders who mean to build a lasting company: a fast pace every week, and the patience for the years.

Every week

Fast, and written down.

1 Plan The week’s cycle is set in writing.
2 Build A dedicated team ships the work.
3 Report A written status, every week.
4 Decide You say yes or no to the next cycle.

Every year

Patient, because the odds turn slowly.

Most new businesses close in the first five years. After that, each year survived makes the next more likely. WE paces the work to that curve.

See how long it really takes See how WE works

The wider ecosystem

Join the programs that fit. WE stays for the long run.

WE does not compete with the programs around you. Founder programs, coworking spaces, investor communities and public funding each do something WE does not, and most founders do best using several. Join the ones that fit. WE works alongside, for as long as the work is useful.

Founder programs

Structured, time-boxed programs with a peer group and a deadline.
Coworking spaces

A desk, a room and people who are building too.
Investor communities

Angel groups and investor relations events where you meet the people who fund companies.
University and lab programs

Research, labs and technology transfer for science-based companies.
Local small business support

Advisers, training and regional networks close to home.
Public funding

Federal research awards such as SBIR and STTR.