Founders Café

Founders Café, from OpenAI × Dogpatch Labs, is a working session for 30 people considering whether to build a company.

You might be exploring a problem worth solving, testing an early idea, looking for a co-founder or deciding whether to leave your current role to start building.

The afternoon brings together people at a similar stage for small-group conversations, co-founder matching, mentoring and office hours. The aim is to help you pressure-test your thinking and get clearer on your next steps.

You don't need to have incorporated a company, raised funding, found a co-founder or figured everything out. You just need to be actively considering whether there's something worth pursuing.

Who is it forFounders Café is for people who are:

Exploring a problem or early idea

Testing whether an idea is worth pursuing

Considering moving from product, engineering, design, research or commercial work into building a company

Already building informally and deciding whether to take it further

What to expectThis is a working afternoon built around conversation rather than presentations. Come prepared to share what you're working on, ask questions and engage with others.

Places are limited to 30 to allow for meaningful discussions, relevant introductions and individual attention.

Application required. Places will be confirmed following review.Supported by NDRC.