NEXT GENERATION PROGRAM
Dope People.
Best Practices.
Continued Community.
A post-accelerator to foster the growth of tech startups toward their next round by increasing their social capital.
A POST-ACCELERATOR THAT PROVIDES COMMUNITY
We believe pre-seed startups represent the next generation, the future if you will, of the innovation economy. Next Generation is our program that provides community and accountability for innovative pre-seed tech startups coming out of accelerators and similar entrepreneur support programs like Techstars, AWS Impact Accelerator, gener8tor, Company Ventures Boost Fellowship, Visible Hands, and more. For up to 12 months, we’re focused on providing a community of dope founders that can help each other out. Our aim is to guide you in achieving pivotal business milestones and enhancing your appeal to investors during critical fundraising efforts (Pre-Seed and Seed Rounds). Successfully securing these funds both propel your venture forward and advances you to the next level of support within Goodie Nation: the Accountability & Performance Program.
OUR PROMISE AS YOU PURSUE YOUR NEXT ROUND
PROVIDE A COMMUNITY OF DOPE FOUNDERS
Simply put, we strive to put you in a group of other awesome founders. We believe that when we put awesome people together, then magic will happen.
HELP BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM
Whether it is by the online community, in-person or virtual events, or recommendations, we’ll put you in a position to establish trust with other awesome founders.
STEP IN TO HELP WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT
You can ask for help from other founders in community.
HOW WE UPHOLD THIS PROMISE
Through a combination of an online community, industry roundtables, peer connections, best practice sessiions, and mental health support sessions, Next Generation empowers founders to navigate the complexities of the earliest stage of the tech startup journey with confidence and resilience.
Online Community: A Slack group with other founders where you can ask/provide for help, share your wins, and discuss startup-related news,
Product Evaluations: 30 minute virtual product demos to our Product Manager-In-Residence where they rate your demo, give feedback, etc.
VC Readiness Evaluations: 30 minute virtual presentations to actual investors where they rate your pitch, give feedback, etc.
Enterprise Pilot Readiness Evaluations: 30 minute virtual presentations to coaches that have sold startup software to enterprises where they rate your sales pitch and demo, give feedback, etc.
Best Practice Sessions: Virtual sessions where founders and experts discuss best practices on tactics in operations, sales, marketing, software development, leadership, etc.
Industry Roundtables: Held every 2nd Thursday on video, founders, corporate employees and investors in industries such as Health Innovation, FinTech, and many more to discuss industry trends, news, opportunities, and more.
All Founders Need Therapy sessions: It’s hard being the leader. Held every 3rd Thursday on video and in select cities in person, this support group gives you the platform to vent about frustrations you’re having being an entrepreneur to other entrepreneurs.
Accountability Reports: At the end of each month, you’ll fill out an online form to rate your morale, describe progress, share wins, and ask for help. You have access to your historical reports via the Founder Platform.
Perks & Discounts: Access to 150+ discounts on products you’ll need to operate your startup and perks with brands like citizenM Hotel.
Recommended Product & Service Providers: Vetted service providers (legal, accounting, tech, etc) that you can hire and products that are good for startups.
Special Event Invitations: Invites to events dinners, happy hours, etc. especially during conferences.
Founder Platform: online portal to view the founders, coaches, investors, and the community, access perks and discounts, and more.
THESE FOUNDERS GOT NEXT
These founders represent some of the top pre-seed startups in the world, but they need your help.
Here’s How You Can Help Them Today
Scroll down the list of founders below to find the one(s) you might be able to assist. Click on their card for more information, and then click on the “Introduction Link” to start the process of getting in contact with them. Note: Please no service providers. You can register here as an expert.
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How is this different from existing entrepreneur support programs?
It is meant to compliment them. Next Generation is a post-accelerator. We’re providing access to high-powered social networks in an effort to improve your social capital after you come out of other programs.
How much does it cost for a startup to participate in the program?
Zero. It’s completely free. And we don’t take any equity. Fundamentally, we don’t believe in charging founders for support. We only ask that you “pay” with your time and effort.
Do you take equity in my company?
Nope. However if a partner wants to make an investment in your startup outside of the official program, then those terms are worked out between you and them.
How is it possible that this is free?
Because our amazing sponsors, partners, and volunteers want to help create a better world.
What is the time commitment?
Great question. Its designed to not pull you away from building your company. Expect about 3 hours a month at minimum, and more if you’d like more assistance. Main thing is keeping in contact with your Performance Partner as well as the people we put you in touch with.
Is this initiative only for for-profit companies or can non-profits take part?
Next Generation is best for tech startup for-profit companies.
Is funding provided as part of the program?
Nope, but we do provide a ton of free resources and direction to funding opportunities.
Do I have to be currently fundraising in order to be part of the program?
Nope, but you should be raising within the next 12 months. We’ve designed the program to help you get to the next funding level.
Can I be a solo founder?
We prefer teams of 2+ people as it increases the likelihood of success. It takes a lot to be successful, and it is extremely difficult for one person to do by themself. But if you’re good, then you’re good.
Do we have to be full-time founders?
For the amount of human and social capital we invest, we’re looking for founders that have committed to their companies full-time.
How are you defining diverse founders?
We define “diverse” as people from groups underrepresented in tech: Black, Latinx, and women (from any background), military veterans, LGBTQ+, etc.
How are you defining social entrepreneurs?
We’re defining social entrepreneurs as they those working on economic development, financial access, education, environmental sustainability, health, and safety. The founders may be of any ethnicity.
I’m not in Atlanta. Can my startup participate?
Yep. We have startups from all over the US and few other countries across the world.
Can my company participate if we've been a part of an accelerator?
Yep. We’ve designed this program to compliment accelerators, and serve as a support system for accelerator alumni.
Do you think it would still be helpful for us to apply if we don’t need to raise money for a while?
We think so. We only make introductions to investors if it makes sense for the startups. But potentially getting strategic partnerships from large companies is helpful to most startups, and the process of preparing for investors is great whether you go for it or not. It makes your company better.
I don't have an idea for a startup yet. Are we eligible to get helped?
We’re looking for those past the idea stage. However, a few of our community partners have programs that help those with only ideas get it out of your head, and refine it.
What is the application process like?
Our application process includes a company application and Funding Level self-assessment as well as video interviews for those that make it past an initial vetting process.
Is the programming in-person or virtual?
Our programming is virtual-first, and in-person in select cities on special occasions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: PARTNERS + SPONSORS
My organization is part of the entrepreneur support ecosystem. What role can we play?
There’s a bunch of ways to plug in depending on what you want. We can refer startups to your program for training, and/or you can send them our way. You could also provide strategy, product development, marketing, and design coaches.
My company is part of the corporate ecosystem. What role can we play?
In a few different ways. The biggest opportunity is partnering with a company for a pilot. Also, you could serve as industry expert coaches. And you can always be a sponsor!
My organization is part of the social good ecosystem. What role can we play?
You can really help the impact startups whether it’s with domain-specific advice and connections or assistance with strategizing for funding. And, like the others, sponsors are always welcome.
As a sponsor, what type of role can I play?
Great question! Thanks for asking:) To really reach this program’s potential, we’re looking for financial, venue, and food/beverage sponsors.
