Shout-outs

(If you don't see a specific answer here, please contact us.)

1. Why is it called Founders Co-op?

2. Every founder (or founding team) is asked to contribute 5% of the equity in their company to the Founders Pool. In exchange, the founders receive an ownership stake in every other company funded by the Co-op in that calendar year. This pooled equity interest among Founders creates a tangible incentive to share ideas, information and support with other Founders Co-op companies, ensuring that a success realized by any one of our companies is a success for everyone involved.

   We believe that small-company founders form a natural community. By actively fostering this community within our family of funded companies, we believe we can reduce risk and accelerate success for every founder we work with, with the welcome side-effects of having fun and building friendships among a select group of like-minded entrepreneurs.

1. Who's behind Founders Co-op?

2. Meet Andy and Chris. We're entrepreneurs first, investors second, and we love working with passionate founders to create great companies. We think that Seattle needs to offer a more supportive and open environment for new startups and want Founders Co-op to be a driving force in realizing that change.

1. How do you choose which companies to fund?

2. We're looking for passionate founders who can both envision and create products that solve real problems for their customers. We like companies that have a clear idea of how they’re going to acquire customers and generate cash.

1. How much funding do Founders Co-Op companies receive?

2. Our investments range from $10,000 to $250,000 depending on your needs, your idea and your team. Whatever the dollar amount, our goal is to offer the support you need to get off the ground. Most important, Founders Co-op companies gain access to an incredible local community of experienced founders, entrepreneurs and investors who are prepared to roll up their sleeves to help make you successful.

1. How can we get funded after our initial Founders Co-op investment?

2. We provide the seed funding to get you going, but you may well need more funding to help your business grow. As soon as your team has made significant progress with product, customers and revenue, we'll connect you with angel investors and venture capitalists with a proven track record funding your kind of business. We'll coach you so you're as effective as possible, and do everything we can do to help get you follow-on funding. We may also provide additional funding ourselves in some cases.

1. Tell me more about the networking and mentorship opportunities you offer.

2. We offer meeting and casual, drop-in office space with free Internet access to all funded companies on a first come, first served basis. Spaces are not reserved for particular companies, and you are not required to work from our space. In addition, at least twice a month, we will organize an event for our companies. These range from "open coffee" networking events for local founders to private dinners and discussion sessions with successful entrepreneurs, angel investors, legal experts, and venture capitalists. We will provide plenty of advance notice about these opportunities. Generally speaking, they'll be very informal and give you plenty of time to interact with mentors and other founders personally.