Fledge 2020 (Seattle, Lima, etc.)

An intense program of entrepreneurial education and mentorship, guiding entrepreneurs through the complex path from idea to revenues and profits. Fledge9 is the ninth iteration of our flagship, in-person accelerator program.

Training

Fledge provides far more training than most accelerators, covering the full set of entrepreneurial skills required by successful entrepreneurs.

Mentorship

The Fledge network includes hundreds of mentors. That term is broadly defined, including everyone and anyone who volunteers their time to provide advice and to share experience with the teams.

10 Weeks of Intensity

The formal programming at Fledge lasts for 10 weeks. It’s a short amount of time for all that gets accomplished. It’s incredible intense.

A $15,000-€20,000 Investment

We believe enough in each fledgling that we hand them $15,000-€20,000.
(The amount varies by city and session. See the latest online application for details.)

In exchange for the cash, the program, and all the follow-up support, we ask for 6% ownership in each startup. This investment is uniquely structured as redeemable equity, with the startup repurchasing Fledge’s shares using 4% of future revenues.

This investment structure was designed to make Fledge a partner in the success of each fledgling. Our incentives are aligned with the founders, to find a path to sufficient, sustainable revenues. This structure is not reliant on an “exit”. We succeed when the fledgling succeeds, earning revenues from customers.

And if the business does not succeed, nothing is owed to Fledge (beyond anything already repaid).