Afore Capital Founder in Residence

Afore Capital's Founder in Residence (FIR) program is an eight-week, in-person pre-accelerator launched in early 2025 alongside the firm's $185 million Fund IV. The FIR program takes founders from 'day -1' through ideation and company formation. Each cohort consists of 5-8 founders who work from Afore's South Park office in San Francisco, building alongside peers who are focused on shipping weekly. The program provides office space, structured ideation support, and access to over 10,000 potential users and design partners through the firm's product for founders. Upon completing the program, Afore commits to investing at least $100,000 to lead the founder's pre-seed round.

Afore Capital focuses on pre-seed and pre-idea investing, supporting founders before they have a product or traction. The FIR program is designed to help founders move from idea to conviction, providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship.

Designed for Founders, Students. The program is in person. Participation is generally full time.

The program is open to technical, product-first founders who are pre-product. It also includes a university track for students, encouraging ambitious individuals at the earliest stages of company formation.

The program is open to applicants who can work from Afore's San Francisco office for the 10-week duration. Founders can apply through the official application link.

Participants receive 8 weeks of office space in San Francisco's South Park, a peer cohort of 5-8 fellow builders, structured ideation and weekly shipping cadence, access to 10,000+ potential users and design partners, mentorship from Anamitra Banerji and the Afore team, and positioning with a recognized pre-seed VC as their first institutional investor.

The program lasts for 8 weeks with multiple cohorts per year.