We noticed something important while helping founders get started at ODF: solo founders are significantly underestimated.
Despite solo-founded companies like Midjourney, Vercel, and ODF startups like Loyal, Pave, and Settle proving the model works, the industry pushes people to find co-founders as the default path.
We're changing that narrative.
In April, we launched the Solo Founders Program — a three-month, in-person residency for 6 ambitious solo founders. The program includes:
- Private bedroom in a shared SF house with other founders
- A full-floor office to build from every day
- $800K+ in perks/credits
- A stipend for personal costs (as an investment)
We accepted less than 1% of applicants for the first cohort
Our next SFP cohort, Fall 2025, kicks off August 20th.
What Happens at SFP
In their first 60 days, SFP founders have:
- Raised millions from top investors
- Grown MRR 50–130% MoM
- Launched 7 products
- Surpassed 35k+ GitHub stars
"I am a solo founder. I was told, 'you should find a co-founder.' No one believed. Julian did."
— Dhravya Shah, founder of Supermemory
"The highest quality decision I made this year was to join SFP… The quality of people and the momentum have been incredible."
— Chaitanya Choudhary, founder of Workers.io
Where We Fit in the Ecosystem
We've designed SFP so you don't have to choose between us and an accelerator or pre-seed round.
Some founders join us after raising or completing an accelerator; others go on to one afterward. As a solo founder, you start with 100% of your company — using some equity to attract great early employees and tap into the right communities is often a smart trade.
Most accelerators have large batches and move everyone toward the same demo day. That can be a powerful forcing function and provide a broad network.
SFP is built differently: just six founders per cohort, creating deep relationships participants often describe as "having five co-founders."
We operate on your timeline. There's no demo day or artificial deadlines. Most SFP founders raise — some before the program, many during, some long after. Whenever you're ready, we're in your corner.
Why We're Doing This
Twenty years ago, Y Combinator challenged convention by backing young technical founders when others wouldn't. Today, we believe solo founders represent a similar opportunity — an undervalued group building remarkable companies.
If you're a solo founder building something ambitious, we'd love to hear from you.Apply now for SFP Fall 2025, starting August 20th.