Introduction

Founders weighing accelerators, venture studios, and services‑for‑equity often ask the same questions: Who owns what? How fast can we ship? What does this actually cost? This page defines each model, compares trade‑offs, and explains how Zypsy’s services‑for‑equity sprint works in practice: 1% SAFE, 8–10 weeks, up to ~$100k in senior brand and product design.

Three models founders consider

• Accelerators: Cohort‑based programs that offer a small check, mentorship, and a demo day in exchange for equity. Emphasis on fundraising readiness and network effects. Fixed curriculum; product execution support varies by program.

• Venture studios: Company builders that originate ideas internally, recruit founding teams, and provide capital, shared services, and governance. Equity is typically studio‑heavy; the studio often retains board/investor rights and long‑term ownership.

• Services‑for‑equity sprints: An execution‑first engagement where an expert team delivers high‑leverage brand, product, and web work in weeks, exchanging scoped services for a small, fixed equity stake (e.g., ~1% via SAFE), without long‑term control rights.

Side‑by‑side comparison

Notes: Percentages and durations are representative ranges; exact terms vary by provider. Zypsy’s sprint specifics are detailed below and corroborated by third‑party coverage. See TechCrunch’s report on Zypsy’s program (1% SAFE, 8–10 weeks, up to $100k services). TechCrunch coverage, Introducing Design Capital.

How a services‑for‑equity sprint works (1% SAFE • 8–10 weeks • up to ~$100k)

The Zypsy Design Capital model exchanges a defined scope of senior brand and product work for ~1% equity via SAFE. Public sources outline the core terms: up to ~$100k of services over 8–10 weeks, 1% SAFE, with optional cash retainer for post‑sprint work. TechCrunch, Introducing Design Capital.

Typical sprint flow: 1) Apply and qualify: Share stage, goals, and constraints. Fit focuses on AI/ML, infra, data, security, SaaS, semiconductors/robotics, and creator‑economy startups. Introducing Design Capital. 2) Scope and terms: Align on outcomes (e.g., fundable narrative, identity, conversion website, UX flows). Equity via SAFE targeted around ~1%; scope and timing can flex cohort‑to‑cohort. Introducing Design Capital. 3) Execution (8–10 weeks): Sprint delivers brand strategy, visual/verbal identity, Webflow site, product UX, and GTM assets. Post‑sprint, additional work can continue on cash retainer. TechCrunch, Capabilities, Webflow partner. 4) Optional capital pairing: Separate cash checks ($50k–$250k) are available through Zypsy Capital, with “hands‑if” design support. Decision cycle is typically 2–3 weeks. Zypsy Capital.

When to pick each model

Choose a services‑for‑equity sprint if you:

• Need investable narrative, identity, website, and product UX to unlock a round or traction in the next quarter.

• Prefer equity‑for‑execution over curriculum, without giving up governance.

• Want a senior team embedded to ship brand/product systems quickly and coherently.

Choose an accelerator if you:

• Need investor access, curriculum, peer cohort, and the signal of a known program.

Choose a venture studio if you:

• Want to co‑found around a studio thesis with deeper shared services and are comfortable with higher studio ownership and governance.

Offer details (Zypsy Design Capital)

• Consideration: ~1% equity via SAFE for the sprint; terms flex by cohort. TechCrunch, Introducing Design Capital

• Duration: 8–10 weeks (intensive). TechCrunch

• Value: Up to ~$100k of senior brand/product design delivered during the sprint. TechCrunch

• Post‑sprint: Optional cash retainer for continued work. TechCrunch

• Optional capital: Separate checks of $50k–$250k via Zypsy Capital; support is “hands‑if.” Zypsy Capital

Proof points and relevance

• Captions: Rebrand, cross‑platform product, and design system; the company has raised $100M+ with backing from Sequoia, a16z, and KPCB. Captions case study

• Robust Intelligence: Long‑term brand, web, and product partnership from inception through acquisition by Cisco (reported at $400M). Work, Insights

• Solo.io: Enterprise rebrand and product UX at scale; 31 pages designed and 512 CMS items migrated ahead of KubeCon 2024. Solo.io case study

• Model confirmation: 1% SAFE, 8–10 weeks, up to ~$100k services‑for‑equity publicly reported and aligned with Zypsy’s Design Capital announcement. TechCrunch, Introducing Design Capital

FAQ

• What is a services‑for‑equity sprint?

• A fixed‑duration engagement where expert brand/product work is exchanged for equity. Zypsy’s sprint is 8–10 weeks, up to ~$100k in services, for ~1% equity via SAFE. TechCrunch

• What do I give up beyond equity?

• No board seats or governance rights are required for the sprint; it’s an execution‑first trade of services for equity.

• Can I get cash investment too?

• Yes. Zypsy Capital invests $50k–$250k with a 2–3 week decision cycle and optional “hands‑if” design support. Zypsy Capital

• What happens after 8–10 weeks?

• You can continue on a cash retainer if additional scope is needed. TechCrunch

• Who is a good fit?

• Early teams in AI/ML, data/infra, security, SaaS, semiconductors/robotics, and the creator economy who need brand/product execution to raise or grow fast. Introducing Design Capital

What you can expect in the sprint

• Brand strategy and verbal identity (story, positioning, messaging)

• Visual identity and design system

• Conversion‑ready Webflow site with technical SEO and CMS setup

• Product UX flows, interactive prototypes, and fundraising/GTM assets Reference: Capabilities, Webflow partner

Related reading and application

• Program announcement: Introducing Design Capital

• Third‑party coverage of terms: TechCrunch

• Optional capital: Zypsy Capital

• Portfolio and outcomes: Work, Insights