For the builders…
Dropping this here for anyone in the early stages of an idea, MVP, or project, and wondering where to start or what the next steps look like.
Next week, the Stacks Endowment and Stacks Labs are launching a new program called Stacks Foundry: Validate, a 5-week program for early-stage builders.
This program is designed to help founders find out what users actually want from their product before investing more time in building it. This is achieved by using a framework for testing the earliest assumptions builders make with real users.
Applications are open until May 15th. Core programming begins May 18th.
The topics covered in the program will help individuals understand if the problem they’re focusing on is real, who feels it most, whether the value proposition lands, and if the MVP shows a real signal. By the end of the program, participants will have a clearer sense of whether to keep going, pivot, narrow their focus, or stop altogether.
Program Details
-
Duration: 5 weeks of core programming
-
Time commitment: ~3-5 hours per week
-
Cost: Free to apply + free to participate
-
Dates: Programming begins May 18 and concludes June 19
-
Applications close: May 15
-
Format: Weekly masterclass + execution sprint + hot seat
What Validate is not
-
The Validate program is not an accelerator. There is no equity exchange or formal investor introductions.
-
It’s also not a grant program and does not guarantee funding. Participants who generate a strong signal may be better positioned for future ecosystem opportunities, but the Validate program itself is about testing and validating ideas with users.
-
It’s not mentorship-heavy. It’s intentionally low-touch and includes frameworks, group accountability, hot-seat feedback, and a group chat for participants to connect with peers and bounce ideas off each other.
Who it’s for
-
Founders working on or exploring Stacks, sBTC, Bitcoin-native products, DeFi, payments, developer tools, AI, infrastructure, or anything that has a meaningful reason to leverage Stacks
-
People who recently applied for the Stacks Endowment’s grants program, participated in Buidl Battle, or any recent Stacks builder challenge
-
Solo builders or small teams with an idea, prototype, or early MVP
-
Anyone serious about testing their assumptions with real users and willing to let the answers discovered change their direction
If you’re interested in applying, please do. You do not need a finished product or even a newly started product. You’ll get the most out of the program if you have an idea to test, but a product, team, or MVP is not required to join.
The application takes about 15 minutes. Please be specific about what you’re working on and what you want to validate!
Core programming kicks off May 18.