100 days. Two pathways. Three stages of progress. Labs Start provides founders with company capital through the Labs EDGE Note, and funders with capital for both the firm they are building and the first fund they will manage.
All founder investments are made through the Labs EDGE Note—not a SAFE. Every Labs Start program runs for 100 days.
For founders transforming an early idea, insight, or invention into a formed and fundable company.
$250,000 through an EDGE Note, with up to $250,000 reserved for what comes next. Over 100 days, Hatch Start helps founders form the company, validate the opportunity, develop the product, and prepare for launch.
For founders with a formed company, prototype, early product, initial community, customers, or demonstrated technical progress.
$500,000 through an EDGE Note, with up to $500,000 reserved for the company’s next stage. Over 100 days, Launch Start helps founders activate through product completion, market entry, member or customer growth, and capital preparation.
For operating companies with a launched product, meaningful adoption, revenue, partnerships, existing investors, or market momentum.
Up to $1 million through an EDGE Note, with up to $1 million reserved to lift the company further. Over 100 days, Lift Start helps founders strengthen distribution, operations, leadership, partnerships, and the infrastructure required to scale.
Although commercially called a “Note,” the EDGE Note is intended to be an equity-based agreement rather than debt: it does not ordinarily accrue interest, create a repayment obligation, or make the investor a conventional creditor. In simple terms—a SAFE generally promises equity later; a convertible note creates debt that may later become equity; and the EDGE Note establishes a coordinated present-and-future ownership position whose valuation, issuance, extension, and protection are agreed upon from the beginning. Complete EDGE Note terms are provided to selected founders before acceptance.
The funder structure is different. Labs Investor Group makes two distinct investments: a direct equity investment into the management company, and an LP commitment into the manager’s first fund.
For prospective fund managers with a differentiated thesis and relevant experience who have not yet completed firm or fund formation.
$250,000 to help form the investment firm, plus up to $1 million committed to its first fund. Over 100 days, Hatch Start helps emerging funders establish their management company, refine their thesis, form Fund I, and prepare for a first close.
For emerging managers with a formed management company, developed thesis, initial fund documents, prospective LPs, or an active first-close strategy.
$500,000 into the management company, plus up to $2.5 million of anchor capital for Fund I. Over 100 days, Launch Start helps funders activate their firms through institutional infrastructure, fund formation, LP preparation, and first-close execution.
For emerging managers who have reached a first close, started deploying capital, assembled an early portfolio, or shown meaningful institutional traction.
Up to $1 million into the management company, plus up to $5 million committed to Fund I. Over 100 days, Lift Start helps firms strengthen operations, accelerate subsequent closes, improve portfolio construction, and deepen LP relationships.