Accelerators - Part 3

Entrepreneur First

December 21, 2024

In partnership with

Free Section: What Makes Entrepreneur First (EF) Different

Entrepreneur First (EF) stands out as an accelerator by focusing on individuals over teams or ideas. Their belief? The best founders don’t always have a co-founder or startup concept when they start—they’re exceptional people who need the right platform to thrive.

  • How It Works:

    1. Individual Selection: EF selects high-potential individuals, not teams, based on ambition, skillset, and resilience.

    2. Team Formation: During the program, participants find co-founders and validate ideas together.

    3. Pitch for Investment: Teams that show promise pitch to EF’s investment committee for funding.

  • Funding Structure:
    EF provides an initial stipend to support participants while they ideate and form teams. If selected for funding, startups receive pre-seed investment to scale.

My Journey at EF

I joined EF during a transitional phase in my career, intrigued by their focus on people over ideas. While EF didn’t lead directly to my eventual success with LITO Travel, the experience sharpened my ability to evaluate ideas, form strong partnerships, and move quickly.

  • Finding a Co-Founder:
    EF’s structured approach helped me connect with talented individuals. Though I didn’t find the perfect long-term partner there, I gained invaluable insights into what to look for in a co-founder.

  • Idea Validation:
    During the program, I worked on several ideas before deciding to pursue eCommerce independently. EF’s fast-paced environment forced me to validate concepts quickly and discard what didn’t work.

What Makes EF Unique

  1. Focus on Talent:
    EF prioritizes selecting exceptional individuals and then helps them build teams.

  2. Speed of Execution:
    The program pushes participants to form teams, validate ideas, and pitch for funding in just a few months.

  3. Global Network:
    EF operates across several countries, giving participants access to a diverse pool of talent and mentors.

  4. Funding Stipend:
    EF’s stipend allowed me to focus 100% on building a startup without worrying about immediate financial pressures.

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