Leap backs employed founders working at elite tech companies w/ up to $100k to
start something new.
Only working founders
Leap only backs employed founders working at a select tech companies known for exceptional product and engineering disciplines. Some of the best companies (e.g., Apple, Bumble, Flipcart) were started employed founders.
But trying an idea while managing a day job is hard. That’s why we created Leap.
Leap helps our founders move FAST
Leap invests $50-$100k (for 5-10% equity) and helps you build an MVP over 6 months. We help our founders move faster by setting them up w/eng, design and sales + assist with internal compliance to protect their IP. After 6 months, Leap helps our founders raise $2-3M from top-tier investors.
2-weeks to decision
- Initial meeting with founder
- We invest $25k and founder starts building (t=14 days)
- Evaluate progress, then we invest $25-$75k more (t=100 days)
- MVP built. If traction, we help founder raise $2-3M and founder goes full-time. (If no traction, project folds and founder stays at day job) (t=180 days)
Eligibility
- AirBnB
- Amazon
- Doordash
- Figma
- Instacart
- Netflix
- Open AI
- Plaid
- Revolut
- Ripping
- Robinhood
- Scale AI
- Stripe
- Square
- Uber
FAQ
> Who runs Leap?
Leap is run by Bartek Ringwelski, former PM of Payments at Meta and ex-Partner at Core Innovation Capital. While working as a PM at Meta, Bartek built a startup that hit $100k in ARR while still working (now at $1MM ARR).
> How big is the fund? How many companies has Leap backed?
Leap is a $1M fund aiming to back 10-15 companies at the conception stage.
> What about IP issues?
Leap only works with late-stage startups and public companies with established policies for approving outside business activities. In addition, California provides explicit protections IP created by employed founders in Section 2870 of CA law.
Apply
If you have an idea, or are already building, reach out to: [email protected].