Limited Spots
Week 1
Execution & Founder-Market Fit
Understand the assigned startup, its market, and users. Prove you’re fast, strategic, and coachable.
Day 1
💼
Roundtable
Welcome & Orientation
Kick off the Founder Academy, meet your full cohort, and align on structure, goals, and scoring expectations.
👩💻
Keynote
Neon Venture Model Keynote
Learn how NeonX builds and validates startups through repeatable systems, testing, and real case examples.
🔎
Guided Walkthrough
Startup Deep Dive
Review your assigned startup's problem, users, validation, risks, and the studio’s market-fit learnings.
🗺️
Workshop
Market Mapping Workshop
Analyze top competitors, define key ICPs, and use JTBD to build a market position that drives clarity.
Day 2
🧪
Individual Work
Task Demo Setup
Finalize your deliverable, polish key details, and prepare to present what you built during the first sprint.
🚀
Live Presentation
Execution Sprint Demos
Present your deliverable in a 5-minute pitch. Show execution speed, clarity, and strategic thinking under pressure.
🔄
Guided Feedback
Peer Feedback Round
Each founder gives Start/Stop/Continue feedback to a peer in structured rounds to build trust and communication.
🎭
Simulation
Cultural Fit Simulation
Roleplay real founder dilemmas and handle tough decisions. Studio scores your integrity and team behavior live.
📊
Panel Review
Studio Feedback & Wrap-Up
Receive personal feedback and Week 1 scores from studio partners. Set direction and momentum for Week 2.
Week 2
Strategy & Leadership
Turn user insights into a GTM plan. Lead like a startup CEO and prove your ability to set direction and make smart decisions.
Day 1
🧭
Discussion
Warm-Up & Recap
Reflect on Week 1 learnings and discuss how your startup direction has evolved through the process so far.
🎤
Presentation
User Interview Presentations
Share insights from 10 user interviews. Highlight patterns, objections, and pain points affecting GTM.
🤝
Roundtable
Insight Discussion
As a group, explore key interview themes and unpack their implications on product and GTM strategy.
🗓️
Workshop
GTM Roadmap Sprint
Build a tactical 90-day GTM plan, including key objectives, KPIs, budgets, and activation levers.
🧪
Group Review
Studio Review & Critique
Present your GTM to NeonX partners and receive strategic feedback on structure, priorities, and scope.
👩💼
Simulation
CEO for a Day
Act as CEO and lead a sprint session with a mock team. Studio evaluates your clarity and leadership.
📢
Feedback Session
Retrospective & Feedback
Gather feedback on your leadership performance and decision-making from peers and observers.
Day 2
💬
Discussion
Warm-Up
Share refined GTM insights and position clarity ahead of peer review and studio sessions.
🔁
Workshop
Peer GTM Reviews
Review and refine each other's GTM plans in rotating groups using a structured critique format.
🎯
Strategy Simulation
GTM Prioritization Sprint
Select the top 3 GTM priorities and justify your choices based on data, insight, and market logic.
📈
Panel Review
Studio Feedback & Scoring
Receive Week 2 performance scores on strategy, execution clarity, and GTM strength from the studio.
Week 3
Storytelling & Fundraising Readiness
Craft a compelling pitch, shape your narrative, and present like a founder raising capital in high-stakes investor meetings.
Day 1
🎯
Roundtable
Pitch Hook Roundtable
Share your Why Us / Why Now / Why This angle and refine it for investor storytelling.
📊
Keynote
Pitch Deck Walkthrough
Learn the structure of a compelling investor deck and how to communicate vision, traction, and ask.
👤
Workshop
Founder Story Workshop
Craft a founder narrative that builds trust and proves credibility to early-stage investors.
🎬
Pitch Round
Mini-Pitch Practice
Pitch a 5-slide deck live to your peers and receive focused feedback on narrative and clarity.
✍️
Working Block
Story Stack Refinement
Update your deck and messaging based on feedback and prepare for mock panel day.
Day 2
🧊
Simulation
Investor Pushback Roleplay
Practice responding to tough investor objections—on team, traction, or market—live.
🧑⚖️
Live Pitch
Mock Investor Panels
Deliver your full investor pitch to NeonX partners and advisors in a timed pitch panel.
📋
Panel Review
Panel Feedback & Q&A
Get detailed scoring and actionable feedback from studio investors and guests.
💸
Keynote
Fundraising 101
Understand SAFE notes, fundraising rounds, and NeonX’s process for backing new startups.
🧑💼
Fireside Chat
AMA with Funded Founder
Hear practical lessons and mistakes from a founder who raised $1M+ at the pre-seed stage.
Week 4
Execution Simulation & Graduation
Simulate real execution. Pitch with confidence. Prove you’re ready to lead your startup and drive growth after graduation.
Day 1
🚀
Briefing
Kickoff: What’s Next?
Set your top 30-day priorities as startup CEO. Prepare to lead execution post-Academy.
🔄
Workshop
Funnel & Bottleneck Workshop
Analyze your startup funnel to identify critical growth gaps across awareness, activation, and revenue.
📈
Working Block
GTM Experiment Planning
Design 3 priority experiments—one for acquisition, activation, and monetization—with clear KPIs.
📣
Live Review
Studio Feedback Round
Present your test roadmap to the studio. Get challenged on realism, scope, and execution logic.
🧰
Solo Work
Adjustments & Action Items
Revise experiments based on feedback. Finalize your execution plan and prep for pitch day.
Day 2
🧠
Roundtable
Week 4 Reflection
Reflect on your biggest mindset shift and growth moment throughout the Academy.
🎓
Demo Day
Final Pitch Panels
Deliver your investor pitch and execution plan to NeonX leaders and LPs for final scoring.
📝
1-on-1 Feedback
Scorecard 1-on-1 Reviews
Receive your final scores privately with detailed coaching and performance insights.
🏁
Ceremony
Graduation + Startup Offers
The studio announces who will lead which startup, and next steps for new founders.