Founder in Residence (FIR)

16VC • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

16VC is building a global founder-first venture platform backing early-stage operators across AI, SaaS, fintech, and frontier technologies.
The Founder in Residence (FIR) program is a 6-week structured fellowship designed for ambitious builders ready to validate, prototype, and launch high-potential startups.
Selected FIRs join 16VC to build alongside our studio team. Top-performing founders may receive accelerator investment.
This is not employment.
This is a structured venture-building fellowship.

Requirements

• First-time or repeat founders
• Strong operators from Tier-1 ecosystems
• Technical or domain expertise in AI / SaaS / Fintech / DeepTech
• High agency, high velocity builders
• You do not need a co-founder to apply.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine a venture thesis
• Validate problem–solution fit
• Build MVP (with studio engineering support if required)
• Conduct customer discovery & early traction experiments
• Present at internal Demo Review (Week 6)

Benefits

• Direct access to 16VC investment team
• Structured venture-building framework
• Weekly strategic reviews
• Studio engineering guidance (if applicable)
• Global founder network
• Potential accelerator investment upon successful completion.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed