Founder-in-Residence

About the Founder-in-Residence Role

• A Founder-in-Residence (or "FIR") is an entrepreneur we partner with to build a venture-backed company that solves an Unmet Need. Typically, we begin a partnership with a FIR to develop an idea that is still in its infancy
• Please review our Founder Deck here for more information: https://decksend.net/d9c55b6bc5a4d5aa
• If you have already raised capital, or already found product-market fit and your unit economics work, then you are likely too late for our Founder-in-Residence program. We do make a select few traditional pre-seed investments in highly thematic companies. If you are interested in pitching for direct investment, please use Platform’s DeckSend tool to send your deck for consideration: https://decksend.net/submit/cohort-2025
• We recommend reviewing this blog post prior to applying to determine if it makes sense for you to apply: https://www.platformstud.io/blog/why-you-should-not-work-with-platform

What Platform FIR’s Get

• Validated startup idea: A clear, unmet need in the real estate market with significant de-risking.
• Initial capital and access to our investor network: You will receive the funding needed to get off the ground and the backing of our extensive network of investors.
• Tried and true glide-path to success: We provide a roadmap of specific, measurable milestones to guide your journey, based on our extensive experience in building startups
• Talented, flexible, remote-first studio team: Our team brings deep expertise in design, engineering, research, talent, and growth to help you build, launch, and iterate efficiently.
• Shared ops, HR, and G&A functions: Including legal, finance, etc., to let you focus on building.
• Access to Platform Guild: Our network of ~80K trusted advisors and subject-matter experts.
• Coaching: Continuous guidance to keep you on track.
• Compensation: While the primary motivation to build a startup should be the upside from ownership, we will compensate you for your time.

What We’re Looking For

• Coachability: Being coachable is crucial for startup founders. It’s about being open to learning, adapting, and growing from feedback. Successful founders refine their vision through continuous feedback, improving both their product and their sales strategies. Coachability keeps you aligned with the market, ready to pivot, and committed to solving problems in the best way possible. It’s a key trait that shows you’re ready for the startup journey.
• Sales Aptitude: Sales are everything in the early days of a startup. From fundraising to hiring to closing deals, everything revolves around selling. Instead of focusing on elaborate systems, start selling right away—get out there, make calls, and close deals. Sales aptitude is essential for getting your business off the ground.
• Ambiguity Tolerance: Embracing ambiguity is vital for startup founders. High ambiguity tolerance means being comfortable with uncertainty and staying adaptable. It’s about moving forward confidently even when the path isn’t clear, which is essential in the unpredictable world of startups.
• Venture-Backed & Tech Domain Knowledge: Experience in venture-backed startups and tech, including AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), is a significant advantage. It helps founders navigate the funding process, pitch to investors, and make smart technology choices, particularly in leveraging AI to enhance their products and services. Understanding LLMs allows founders to integrate advanced AI capabilities, improve user interactions, and scale their operations more effectively. This knowledge is crucial for building scalable systems, managing growth, and staying competitive in an increasingly AI-driven market.