Questions about J.

What is J?

J is a free, remote, three-month program for ambitious founders aged 23 and under, anywhere in the world. There is no fee, and taking part does not require equity.

Each founder agrees three measures of progress with J, sends a short weekly report, meets the J team one-to-one every other week and meets the whole cohort each month.

Is J the same as Rising Founder?

Yes. J is the program, and Rising Founder is its name on the web, at risingfounder.net. You will also see it written as J — Rising Founder.

Who founded J?

J was founded by Kaiav Nihalani and Jose Cruz-Lopez. It is built by young founders, for young founders.

Kaiav Nihalani is a builder with experience in a YC startup, consumer products, and autonomous-agent projects. Jose Cruz-Lopez is a BU student building a community around opportunities and career lessons, and founder of the Cruzing Forward scholarship.

Is J an accelerator?

J is a free, remote, three-month program for founders aged 23 and under who have already begun meaningful work. Participation does not require equity or rights to future equity.

Investment is not guaranteed, and taking part in J does not require accepting one.

Who can apply to J?

Individual founders aged 23 and under, anywhere in the world, who have already begun meaningful work. All sectors and backgrounds are welcome.

There is no single type of person, idea, or industry J is looking for.

Do I need a company, funding or a finished product?

No. You can join before incorporating, raising money, or finishing a product.

You do need to have begun. That work can take many forms: products, research, customer conversations, early users, industry experience, self-directed study, ambitious projects, communities, or competitions.

Can I take part while I’m in school or working?

Yes. The program is designed to accommodate founders who are early in their journey or have other commitments. The application asks whether you are in school, working, or both.

Can I apply if I have co-founders?

Yes. The application asks whether you have any co-founders. J is for individual founders, and its first cohort is planned for 10.

What does J look for in founders?

Boldness, range, and conviction: people willing to take a serious shot at a difficult idea, connect ideas across disciplines, and test their thinking against reality.

J looks for curiosity, evidence of effort, and sustained commitment and progress. You do not need a perfect pitch.

How long is J, and is it remote?

J runs for three months and is fully remote, so founders take part from wherever they are in the world.

What happens during the three months?

At the start, you and J agree on three measures of progress that fit your stage, such as customer conversations, users, revenue, product usage, or research milestones.

Every week you send a short progress report: what you accomplished, what did not work, and where you need help. Every other week you meet a member of the J team one-to-one to work through your biggest constraint. Each month the whole cohort meets.

How many founders are in a cohort?

The first J cohort is planned for 10 individual founders. Monthly cohort meetings are a space to share what you have built, get thoughtful feedback, and learn from your peers.

Is there a Demo Day?

Yes. At the end of the cohort, founders who engage seriously and make sufficient progress can present to investors, mentors, and others in the J network. Demo Day’s format and location depend on funding.

How much does J cost?

Nothing. Taking part in J is free: there is no fee, and J does not require equity or rights to future equity.

Does J take equity?

No. Participation in J does not require equity or rights to future equity. You keep your equity, and your company stays yours.

Does J give founders money?

J aims to provide accepted founders with a $2,500 non-dilutive grant, subject to sufficient funding. Availability will be confirmed before founders accept a place. Additional support requests are considered case by case.

Will J invest in my company?

Investment is not guaranteed. If investment capital becomes available, J may make optional offers to selected founders on individually negotiated terms. Taking part in J does not require accepting an investment.

How do I apply to J?

Apply online at risingfounder.net/apply. The application has 6 short stages: Who you are, School & work, Your trail, Your story, Your idea, Review & submit. Your draft is saved in your browser as you go, so you can finish it later.

What does the application ask?

Who you are and what fills your days; your links, achievements and any co-founders; what shaped you, including the non-traditional things you did growing up, and what drives you; and your idea: why it will succeed, what progress you made in the last month, and what you want to get out of J.

Several of the written answers have word limits, from 50 to 150 words.

What should the application video include?

About three minutes on YouTube: who you are, why J, why we should take you, what you want to work on, and any progress.

Are applications open, and when does the cohort start?

Applications are open now. Cohort dates will be announced separately.