Entrepreneurs First

Overview

Entrepreneurs First, usually shortened to EF, backs exceptional individuals before a company is fully formed. Its current application page emphasizes that EF is interested in founder potential even if you have only an early idea or are still testing a cofounder relationship. The program offers an equity-free grant during ideation, up to $250K once a company is formed, and up to $5M in follow-on funding through later rounds. EF also highlights nine months of office space in London, Bangalore, and San Francisco, more than $600K in platform credits, and a U.S. startup support path that includes Delaware incorporation guidance and access to a San Francisco Demo Day.

What You Can Find Here

• A founder-first application path for people who may not yet have a finished startup idea but do have strong evidence of exceptional execution potential.
• An equity-free grant during the early ideation stage, followed by up to $250K once a company is formed inside the EF path.
• Follow-on backing of up to $5M through future rounds, showing that EF positions itself as a long-term partner rather than a short cohort-only program.
• Hands-on support for fundraising materials, customer development, U.S. market entry, and introductions to top venture investors.
• A portfolio and Demo Day track associated with globally recognized investors and startups that later raised from firms such as Founders Fund, Sequoia, a16z, Index Ventures, and others named on the official page.

Who Should Use This

• Highly ambitious operators, engineers, researchers, and product builders who are strong individually but not yet locked into a startup structure.
• People who want help finding a serious cofounder or stress-testing an early founder pairing before launching a company independently.
• International founders aiming to build in the U.S. startup ecosystem and needing practical support around relocation, incorporation, and fundraising.
• Repeat builders or standout early-career talent who can show outsized achievement even if their current venture idea is still evolving.
• Technical founders who need investor access and founder development at the moment when they move from talent to company formation.

How to Get Started

1. Step 1: Visit joinef.com and read the application criteria carefully, especially the emphasis on individual potential and ambition to build a major company.
2. Step 2: Prepare a concise record of your strongest achievements, products built, leadership experience, and evidence that you consistently outperform peers.
3. Step 3: Apply through EF's official form even if your idea is early, but be ready to explain the market you want to attack and why you are suited to build there.
4. Step 4: If accepted, use the early program period to validate opportunities, test cofounder fit, and sharpen your company thesis with EF support.
5. Step 5: Form the company once conviction is high, then work with EF on pitch materials, investor outreach, and Demo Day preparation.
6. Step 6: Treat EF as a long-term founder development partner, not just a short accelerator application, because the official model includes continued support up to Series B.

Things to Check Before Applying

• EF is highly selective and the bar is centered on founder quality, so average profiles without standout evidence may not be competitive.
• This is not the best fit for teams that already have a mature company and only want late-stage capital without a builder program.
• Relocation, incorporation, and program participation requirements matter, especially if you plan to build through the U.S. pathway.
• The founder-first format can be intense because you may be joining before your idea or cofounder relationship is fully settled.
• Funding amounts, timing, and office access should be checked against the current cohort page because EF updates program details over time.

Frequently Asked Questions