FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Founder Arena?
A competition for aspiring SaaS founders with new ideas. You pitch a software idea, prove you can execute through a series of rounds, and compete for funding and hands-on support from Sam and Ramy. Application reviews, founder meetings and progress are streamed and shared as an ongoing series.
Will my application be reviewed on stream?
It may be. By applying, you give Founder Arena the right to show and discuss your application on stream, including your answers, pitch deck and demo. You're identified only by your username: we never show your name or email. Leave anything you want kept private out of your application.
Who can apply?
Adults 18 or older who live in the United States or Canada. Solo founders and teams are both welcome. Each person may submit one application, tied to their legal name. Duplicate applications are discarded.
Do I need an existing business?
No. Founder Arena is built for new ideas. You don't need a product, customers or revenue to apply. If you've already started building, tell us what you have so far.
How much funding is available?
Up to $100,000 USD for Season 1, in total across selected founders, through awards and negotiated investments. Funding is selective, not guaranteed, and not every founder who advances will receive it.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying is free.
Is my application public?
It isn't published on this site, but it may be shown and discussed on stream, identified only by your username. Your name, email and contact details are never shown.
What are the founder meetings?
If you advance, you may be invited to meet Sam and Ramy to talk through your idea, your plan and what you need. These meetings may be streamed live or recorded for the series.
What do I need to apply?
A clear description of the problem, who has it, your idea for solving it, and why you're the one to build it. Evidence of demand helps, and conversations with potential customers count. A pitch deck (PDF) is optional. Demos happen live, if you reach Stage 3.
When are the deadlines?
Dates for Season 1 haven't been announced yet. They'll appear on the season page, with time zones, as soon as they're set.
Where can I watch?
Live streams of application reviews and founder meetings, plus edited episodes, will be linked from the Watch page. Channels are launching soon.