The format
How Founder Arena works
The stages
These are the default stages. Each season's page lists its own stages, requirements and deadlines.
- Stage 1
Application screening
Tell us the problem, the customer, and why you're the one to build it. Your application will be intelligently added to the leaderboard.
You provide: Written application. Optional pitch deck (PDF).
- Stage 2
Selective interviews
Sam and Ramy interview some selected applicants to go deeper. Not being interviewed doesn't rule you out: other applicants can still make it to the next round.
You provide: A conversation with Sam and Ramy, if you're selected.
- Stage 3
Live demo (validation challenge)
Selected applicants demonstrate their product or prototype live to Sam and Ramy, and show that real people want it.
You provide: A live demo, and evidence of demand.
- Stage 4
Business and funding discussion
Another conversation with Sam and Ramy about your business, plan and requirements, and about funding and potential investment to turn your demo or MVP into a production product.
You provide: Your plan, requirements and funding needs.
- Stage 5
Build and progress
Build with full support from Sam and Ramy, with one goal: make your first dollar.
You provide: Regular progress updates.
How applications are judged
Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 by a human judge, with evidence notes. New ideas are what we're looking for: conversations with potential customers and sign-ups count as evidence, and having no product or revenue does not count against you. Later rounds may use their own published criteria.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Problem and customer clarity | 20% |
| Evidence of demand | 20% |
| Feasibility and execution | 20% |
| Differentiation and AI advantage | 15% |
| Business model and route to customers | 15% |
| Founder commitment and learning | 10% |
Funding
Funding pool
$100,000 USD
Up to $100,000 USD in funding across selected founders, through awards and negotiated investments.
Funding is selective, not guaranteed. Investment terms are negotiated individually and closed outside this site.
The pool is shared across selected founders. Some funding may be awarded, and some offered as investment on terms negotiated with each founder. Agreements and payments happen outside this site.
Eligibility
- You must be 18 or older.
- You must live in the United States or Canada.
- Solo founders and teams are both welcome.
- One application per person, tied to your legal name. Duplicate applications are discarded.
- New SaaS and software ideas. You don't need a product, customers or revenue to apply.