Neil Patel and his fellow investors are looking to invest $250,000 or more in one or more startups:
Here is what the Founders Co-op can offer you:
1. Money – with capital you’ll be able to grow your company.
2. Expertise – unlike most venture funds, the Founders Co-op isn’t made up of finance people, instead we are all entrepreneurs. Because of this you will get advice from people like Ben Elowitz who co-founded Blue Nile and took it public. Or Andy Sack who founded three Internet startups and sold them (the first company was bought by Acxiom, the second was bought by the New York Times, and the third was bought by Microsoft).
3. Networking – meeting random people on a regular basis is easy, but meeting people that can help your business grow is hard. Through the Founders Co-op you will get to meet the right type of people.I know this may not sound attractive to you, but this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. The people in the Founders Co-op changed my life. They took me under their wing and helped grow my companies. Not only did they give me business advice, more importantly they are good friends who are always looking out for my best interest.
If you have a great idea I highly suggest pitching the Founders Co-op.
- Comment Likes 
- Comment Dislikes
June 25, 2009 at 2:09 am
Can I use the money to trading stocks?
May 24, 2009 at 10:55 am
Recently, I met with this guy who has built a social networking site of his own. He is just a start up guy. But I see him quite promising. But the most important thing I like about this person is he is very dedicated at his work and very hard working also.
Do you still finance for any projects? If yes, please email me @ my email. Thanks.
May 24, 2009 at 10:55 am
Recently, I met with this guy who has built a social networking site of his own. He is just a start up guy. But I see him quite promising.
Do you still finance for any projects? If yes, please email me @ my email. Thanks.
December 18, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I could sure think of something for them pretty quick if they just flashed a few bills in front of me .. money gets my creative juices going … I’m materialistic and shallow that way
November 18, 2008 at 9:23 am
WHOA. Is this still going on? I’m trying anyway lol
November 6, 2008 at 10:01 am
I am reminded of your gas station blog idea, which you thought to be a big hit. I think of ideas all the time, and my stickies are always full (ya, i am a mac), but i should think focused.
I see the objectives offered.
November 4, 2008 at 11:11 am
Im sure if any one has a great idea it would be a great opportunity to start it
November 3, 2008 at 3:31 pm
An investment of $250,000 could differentiate you a lot from your competitors. Think about selling a product for $100, where a 1% of people that come to your site purchase. Price in those clicks at 50 cents each and watch the investment double
November 2, 2008 at 11:19 am
thanks for that link, I have some domains i registered in preparation for some of my greatest ideas. My best idea is so big i couldnt possibly execute it as a one man show so this kind of opportunity is perfect.
thanks again
October 29, 2008 at 11:48 pm
250,000 isn’t too big and too small. I was infact looking at the same amount from a VC just 2 days ago. I will send some business proposal and lets hope things will roll out nicely.
October 28, 2008 at 1:44 pm
i have few ideas but i dont disclose here …
Will discuss wit ny personally
October 27, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Invest in my brand name website and we will all be rich in 5 years!
October 27, 2008 at 9:24 am
I have a blog under a premium domain name which I just started. http://www.bloggingbanks.com
If I could get the expertise and funding for my site, which would offer best CD rates, online checking and savings account information as well as personal finance articles for savers, I would be able to benefit my users, advertisers and investors.
Recently BankRate purchased a similar site for $15 million – http://www.bankaholic.com. I am willing to part with my site for less than that now. It will definitely cost you in the future however.
October 25, 2008 at 10:59 am
i want to make money from this site.
or any part time job
October 24, 2008 at 9:25 am
If only I was ready to move on some of the ideas floating around in my head right now… One thing at a time though I guess
October 23, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Thanks for the info. I’ve got an idea I’ve been working on. This may help!
October 23, 2008 at 10:35 am
Do you mean great Ideas.Yeah all of us I have good one.
But my is one million dollar baby. Do you have any petty cash for that.
Hold on call you back…
October 22, 2008 at 8:24 am
You know, when things like these happen, I feel as if I have no great ideas.
October 21, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Shoe-
One of the worst ways to get investors to take a look at your business is through a cold call or email. These guys look at so many biz plans.
I like the sound of the Founders Co-op, but is there anything that you suggest that I do so that the Founders know that I am a reader of your blog?
October 21, 2008 at 3:39 am
Interesting.
I wish all the people who enter this luck.
October 21, 2008 at 1:58 am
I have an idea, we get all the knuckle heads here into a warehouse, each gets a laptop and a internet connection to work with. We give them a week to affiliate market anyway they choose. Food is brought in, there are showers and restrooms, a cot to sleep on and a simple desk to work from.
The one with the most profits wins $250k. We can have Mark Cuban be the host. It will be like the Apprentice.
October 22, 2008 at 3:32 am
That would be a smash hit. NBC could sponsor it and make back their money in no time.
October 20, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Cool! Another shoot for the stars contest to enter! Now, where do I bring the Shoemoney cake?
October 20, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Shoemoney is such a great guy for telling us about this. No wonder he is making all that money online. With the help of these guys, you are going to be a millionaire quicker then you think if your the chosen idea.
October 20, 2008 at 11:21 am
think, think, think,…….I know a wheel barrel with dubs
October 20, 2008 at 11:08 am
Guys,
I believe this offer is only open to people/companies based in Washington, U.S.
October 20, 2008 at 10:57 am
I just checked out their website, quite a great concept. They have and still will uplift many new entrepreneurs out there. Sometimes all it takes is a simple brilliant idea, and the rest will unfold on itself. It’s a pitty I’m in South Africa and these guys seem to be based in Seattle USA. Maybe they’ll take this business global in the near future
October 20, 2008 at 10:15 am
$250k is on the low side? Are you insane? Thanks for posting this (and the links).
October 20, 2008 at 9:41 am
Cash is king right now… those with cash can do anything, including making such ludricous offers for ideas.
I have a lot of ideas but I am not greedy. I will reveal them for just 1/100 of that sum.
http://seventoten.com
October 20, 2008 at 7:50 am
hi i from indonesia, city jakarta
October 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Do you have company is Seattle? Are you willing to move to Seattle? If not then you have no chance.
October 20, 2008 at 6:07 am
It’s a really good chance for those who do not have the money.
October 20, 2008 at 5:53 am
In the dot com days $250K wasn’t squat. Now its a sizeable sum. With bootstrapping that amount can go a long way….mismanage it though and you’ll piss it away in no time with little to show for it.
Here’s the deal though if you have an idea that needs this amount of cash you might be out of your league and shouldn’t try to pursue the cash. Has anyone here managed a project with this much capital involved? If not how do you know when you are getting screwed? How do you know when things are going well? Are you just going to rely on these benevolent souls to tell you when everything is peachy keen?
Any good lawyer and/or financial advisor will tell you that these sort of offers do one thing, screw you out of your brilliant idea because you don’t have the organizational skills to go it alone. Eventually your idea will need more and more cash. Once you hit the second and third round of financing you’re out and the venture team runs everything.
Here’s my advice to anyone that is looking for cash for a venture. Put the money up yourself. Go get credit cards, beg family and friends, get a home equity loan and go it alone. If you aren’t willing to take huge risks for your idea then why should anyone else risk their $$$ for it?
If your idea is great, but needs more cash than you can raise try scaling it back to a point where you can finance it. Get users and strong proof of concept and then you can scale up to the original idea. This will show that you can manage a project, get users, and investors will see that you have a viable idea.
October 20, 2008 at 5:08 am
Pfft, $250k is petty change for my ideas!
October 20, 2008 at 4:05 am
thanx!
October 20, 2008 at 4:05 am
thanx!
October 20, 2008 at 2:10 am
make it go around the net, let the money revolve around
then enjoy the profits after
October 20, 2008 at 12:35 am
My idea is worth 15 million dollars and up and running already like Johns Wu’s (Google his name). Just give me another year.
I’ll Be Back!
ah ha hahaha, ah ha hahaha, ah ha hahaha
I don’t need no stinking VC second parties money!
October 20, 2008 at 12:30 am
visit again!
October 20, 2008 at 12:31 am
thanx!
October 19, 2008 at 11:58 pm
make a website of this money and earn a lot through this.
October 19, 2008 at 11:57 pm
organise a online contest.
October 19, 2008 at 11:56 pm
invest money in online contest. this saves your advertising cost and get advantage in tax.
October 19, 2008 at 11:53 pm
i have a unique idea. please contact me.
October 19, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Neil is the other sponsor of the laptop right?
October 19, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Yes, Neil is sponsoring the MacBook Air and Market Leverage is sponsoring the newer MacBook.
October 19, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I saw Neil post about this the other day, it looks really great.
October 19, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Most people brought up the same questions I have…I’ll have to force myself to read about it to find the answers. Do you have pay the money back with interest, give up shares of your company, or are they just gifting this money to you? Also, is this seed money. You don’t have to even have an existing website, just an idea?
October 19, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I dont think my suggestion would be accepted
October 19, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I personally would not tell anyone my idea nor give away ownership and control to anyone, it’s not worth it.
October 24, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I wouldn’t have a problem sharing my ideas, but I would have a problem giving away control. No more beers for lunch or coming in at noon.
October 19, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I don’t know. I do have a great idea, but should I pitch them actually?
October 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Yes, that’s what i’m talking about: Great ideas! I have in mind some good and effecient online business ideas but I still can’t apply them because I still need some funds to start the big project. I think that my project will have a big impact :p
October 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Hmm, so they’re a VC firm basically. Are you going to become a limited partner?
October 19, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Neil is a good guy and runs a great blog as well in which he posts from time to time. He also not only would be a great investor because of his attitude towards things but his knowledge would also be a great help to many people starting a web company.
October 19, 2008 at 7:50 pm
They should create a blog reality show much like survivor where they have random competitions and they all live on an island with no laptops or iphones , lets see how sane mr chow and mr shoemoney become lol
October 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Wow, this is awesome!
October 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm
hmmm, let me think.. But, having to pay it back.. is that not just a lone than?
October 19, 2008 at 6:39 pm
No VC or potential investor will sign an NDA. If someone sticks a NDA form in their face before they even know the idea they will reject the idea of hearing your proposal. I think they are also looking for entrepreneurs that are more concerned about making the business a reality then protecting the idea.
October 19, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Definitely an awesome opportunity and a great group of guys to work with!
October 19, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I have a $250,000+ idea that doesn’t require me to take any loans or spend a lot of money. If it works then I’ll be earning a lot but if it doesn’t then I won’t be in debt or end up loosing a lot.
October 19, 2008 at 5:48 pm
You are right that, many people has an idea which worth $250.000.
October 19, 2008 at 5:06 pm
My idea, they give me the 250k, I go on a travel adventure with the money and blog everyday about it. As the blog becomes more popular the PPC money roles in to keep funding my travels and blog plus a tidy profit. Next thing you know it leads to a lucrative travel show on Discovery channel.
Now send me the money and I will book some flights.
PS, anyone who steals this idea I will hunt you down like an escaped convict!
October 19, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Well you can’t expect anyone not to copy your idea if you post it here. :p
October 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Well, this is good to know in case my brain wants to come up with anything original in the future.
Thanks for the heads up.
October 19, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Awesome deal, I will definitely check this out. Have some cool stuff going on…
October 19, 2008 at 3:57 pm
250k is alot of money. To those worried that they may steal your ideas just remember that ideas are dime a dozen everyone has ideas . Just knowing your idea will not enable them to implement it. Before google started i am sure many had the same idea but just went around to do it the wrong way. If your idea is so good and not worth 250k risk to share it then why haven’t you developed it yet?
October 20, 2008 at 6:08 am
250k is not alot of money. These people are planning to make its embedding far more. And they are doing right.
October 19, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hope the idea they choose will something which is going to change the world positively.
October 19, 2008 at 3:31 pm
An idea is great, but I don’t know about having to move to Washington.
October 19, 2008 at 2:57 pm
What is to stopping them from just stealing your idea?
October 19, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Maybe he should contact the greedy little Graham Langdon. He seems to be struggling…or is he?
-Mike
October 19, 2008 at 12:59 pm
So… I went over and checked it all out. It seems like a great opportunity for someone with a great idea, an existing business plan & team already in place. My little plan for a worldwide, highly Viral site… may be a few notches below their level, or I need to sit down and plan my mess out a bit better!
Not quite sure, but It seems they want or *prefer you locate in Seattle. Maybe even supported by the local Chamber of Commerce to get more businesses relocated to Seattle.
Mark
October 19, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Great Post. Now, I just have to find an idea!
October 19, 2008 at 4:45 pm
How I wish its really easy to think of an idea worth $250,000. Good luck to you bro!
October 19, 2008 at 11:49 pm
It can’t be that hard, remember the guy who made the Million Dollar Homepage?
October 20, 2008 at 12:15 am
You are right buddy. We know something, “impossible is nothing”.
October 19, 2008 at 12:41 pm
It’s a great idea and a great opportunity for someone with the right idea.
October 19, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’ve ideas as well, but they are worth much more than 250k
That’s why I’m making them true by myself
October 19, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I have a lot of ideas. None worth to spend $250K on though
October 19, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I have tons of ideas. I guarantee that NONE of them are worth that much.
Maybe not even $2.50…
October 19, 2008 at 4:44 pm
LOL, its hard to think of an idea worth for that big of amount.
October 19, 2008 at 12:11 pm
wow, 250k. that’s big. Here in our country, I can start a big company already with that cash. I’m going to check it out, i hope they are willing to invest outside US cause I’ve got plenty of ideas for us here.
October 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Also here in philippines. It worths some ten million pesos….
October 19, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Clearly Thinking for this one “You make idea, submit to them, they read, they take it, they implementing it.” and guess whats?? They get all mine
There is no point to share ideas with anyone. Lets try to make it alone or ask for proffesional stuff. What do you think??
October 19, 2008 at 10:17 am
if i can able to change my new social network plan into English maybe i can apply these guys…
October 19, 2008 at 10:08 am
Jeremy -
Timely post for me for sure… I’m sure you got tired of my personal emails to you asking for 5 minutes of time to discuss my big idea! Sorry for pestering… LOL
Kris from Pepperjam actually tried to help Neil and I get together to discuss my big idea last month and our schedules never meshed at the right time… From there, I let the ball drop and didn’t want to impose on him after a week of playing email passed.
I have actually taken several first steps already… applied and recieved a temporary trademark, talked to a few others on ROI etc. The time may be right to pitch it out there!
Thanks,
Mark
October 19, 2008 at 10:07 am
I think many people has an idea which worth $250.000.
October 19, 2008 at 9:37 am
You submit idea, they read, they take it, they make it.
I see no point to share your ideas with anyone. Ask people, many have burned with all that funding stuff.
Take a loan.
October 19, 2008 at 10:02 am
I agree. There’s no guarantee they won’t steal it for themselves.
Before you consider sharing an idea like that, you need to have a lawyer present.
October 19, 2008 at 10:17 am
You need them to sign a non-disclosure form. It’s the most accepted way of individual people to present their idea to a company without it getting stolen.
October 20, 2008 at 5:27 am
Very few VCs will sign an NDA, nor will they steal your ideas.
November 23, 2008 at 1:43 pm
well wher i can finde this form
how it become legal doucument
i am shur i have great idea for analists
October 19, 2008 at 11:31 am
Agreed, but for that you need $. Howewer, instead of spending that $ for a lqwyer I’d rather pay programmers
October 24, 2008 at 6:00 pm
An idea is just an idea. It’s the implementation that matters. It doesn’t matter what your idea is if you don’t have the ability to make something of it. They would help with the implementation of the idea, that is where the real value is.
October 19, 2008 at 9:08 am
Its a good chance for people who don’t have money but have very good ideas in their heads. But will Neil Patel and his fellow investors take risks? What if the ideas don’t click and all the investments go in vain? I saw many good ideas failed when they came into action in real life.
October 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Im sure they will… They have been into this internet business for a long time so I think that amount of money isnt that too big for them anymore…
October 19, 2008 at 9:03 am
I have a lot of business ideas that are worth pitching. The good thing about my ideas is that they are eccentric, which makes them very unique. THe only problem is the state that I live in that makes it a little hard to make any capital. A lot of the people here are having financial problems and are unemployed. I should check these peopleout though.
Writers Needed- Make $250/hr- http://www.writing101riches.com
erica
October 19, 2008 at 8:59 am
That sounds like a good deal. One reason being that internet entrepreneurs might recognize that a web idea has merit where a group of standard investors might not. Then having that group’s experience backing it would be huge.
I don’t think $250,000 is too small of an amount. Some people have good ideas and the technical ability to make them happen, but are stuck in a career post somewhere and have to keep that job to pay the bills. $250,000 is enough to pay for a couple people’s salary, allowing them to work on the project full-time. That makes a big difference.
It all hinges on finding the right person.
October 19, 2008 at 8:50 am
Great stuff, but I’m not a big fan of sharing my best ideas. You know, just in case it’s not a #1 position worth idea but a #2, I don’t want it to be stolen!
October 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm
ha ha, if its a good idea have something to show first, don’t just come with ideas as they’ll get shut down most of the time.. SHOW RESULTS
October 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
That is a great idea Ben, but I think you should share it, if it gets too old to use it.
October 19, 2008 at 8:30 am
First and foremost this a great opportunity to “act” on an idea or business. How many times have you had an idea that you simply have never took to the next level? Usually this is because of time and money; well now you have excuse….you get expert advice/guidance and the dough!
FYI:
A non disclosure form is also a good idea; it’s usually in everyone’s best interest.
October 19, 2008 at 8:27 am
$250K seems too big for just an idea.
And for things developed into more than an idea, $250K seems too small. If a business is going to stay small, it shouldn’t need capital. And if it’s going to be big, then 250K of development capital isn’t enough to get it to the next level.
But those guys have way more success than me, so I must be missing something.
October 20, 2008 at 4:59 am
250K is more than enough for VC capital for a new startup. If it gets to the stage where it has gone through all the 250K its time for some Round 1 funding with the big boys where you can get millions. 250K is a huge investmenet for anyone to make on an idea. The money that these people will save you in consulting fees alone is worth more than the initial $250K.
October 19, 2008 at 8:20 am
This sounds like an interesting concept. Im sure if any one has a great idea it would be a great opportunity to start it
October 19, 2008 at 8:19 am
That’s a pretty great opportunity for anyone who has a great idea but not the money for it.
Only thing is I’d have them sign a non-disclosure form first.
October 19, 2008 at 8:11 am
…..If you are in Seattle.
October 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
why, only people from seattle can apply?
October 20, 2008 at 11:02 am
I think it had something to do with their state tax law.
October 19, 2008 at 7:20 am
Yeah I read that on Neil’s blog, it is a very good idea not so about money but about the expertise of people and their interest in building the business they fund.
October 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
K, can you please give me the URL?
October 24, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Exactly. The money helps, but the guidance of experts is the real value, especially if they have an interest in helping you succeed.
October 19, 2008 at 7:19 am
Thanks for the post, Jeremy. I’m definitely gonna check these guys out. There’s no sense in letting all of these ideas in my head get lost in my neural juice. Thanks again.
Ja mata,
Deon G.
October 19, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Me too!
October 19, 2008 at 8:33 pm
yea this is a great way to get your ideas out there especially if its a good one, it might go big
October 19, 2008 at 7:17 am
Do I have to pay it back?
October 19, 2008 at 8:19 am
I think you would have to.
It’s like any other start-up fund or venture fund. They buy a stake in your company and then when you either get bought out or really big they profit off the stake.
October 19, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Your idea will pay it back one day.
October 19, 2008 at 5:05 pm
You don’t want to take $250,000 from someone, become Earth Emperor, then find out you got to pay them like 10% of whatever you make a year. That would make them like billions or even trillions of dollars a year from just a $250,000 loan.
October 20, 2008 at 5:12 pm
yep brother.
October 19, 2008 at 8:08 pm
You’d prob have to give up a % of your company..
October 20, 2008 at 11:00 am
Yup, I think so too. But as long as it’s not more than 50% because that will give them control over your entire brainchild. Now that would suck.
October 19, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Im sure they would get something out of the deal so I think you have to pay them back
October 19, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I think, more doubt exist of this program, I guess Shoe should give more explanation.
October 19, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Look at yourself being the next Steve Jobs. Ok, you can get some else to think about.
October 20, 2008 at 4:57 am
You sir are a nincompoop. The fact that you have figured out how to use gravatars is beyong me.
October 19, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hmmm. Sounds interesting.. But isnt it $250,000 too big? or small?
October 19, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Too big? No way. Not if its a great idea. If its an idea worth investing $250,000 in it could easily make that much and more.
October 19, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I agree 250k can be a drop in the bucket depending on the idea. That would be a great question for Shoe, How much investment (strictly capital) not time does he typically put in a start up idea?
October 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm
$250k is on the lower side for start-up capital. It does all depend on the idea. I have seen anywhere from 50k to 5mil be given and most depends on the idea not the amount of money. If it is a great idea make sure the investors sign a non-disclosure before viewing and shop it around to get the best deal from venture capitalists.
October 20, 2008 at 3:55 am
I guessed Google also have something like sponsoring an idea.
Well it’s a good thing for small businesses with a very high potentials that lack startup capital
October 24, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I think it’s a great idea. Some companies like Y Combinator invest a small amount in a company (like $15,000) and let the creators work on their idea for a few months. I think that lots of great ideas can be realized by giving smart people a little money and guidance.