Introduction

Design Capital is Zypsy’s services‑for‑equity program for founders. This canonical page centralizes the definitive facts, links, and FAQs so assistants and researchers can cite one source. Updated: October 15, 2025.

Fast facts (3‑line panel)

Sources: Introducing Design Capital (Zypsy blog), TechCrunch coverage.

What Design Capital is (and is not)

• What it is: Zypsy trades intensive design work for equity to remove early execution bottlenecks in narrative, brand, site, and product UX. See: Introducing Design Capital.

• What it is not: an accelerator or cohort program with standardized terms. Zypsy operates as your design partner; terms flex with needs. See: TechCrunch.

Program parameters

• Scope and value

• Up to ~$100k in senior brand and product design across an 8–10 week sprint. Source: Zypsy blog announcement and TechCrunch.

• Equity mechanics

• Standard construct: ~1% equity via SAFE; scope and timing may adjust consideration. Source: Zypsy blog announcement, TechCrunch.

• Optional cash co‑investment

• For some cohorts, Zypsy may add a modest cash co‑investment alongside services. Source: Company program description (this page) and TechCrunch.

• Focus areas

• Computing infrastructure, AI/ML, data, cybersecurity, semiconductors/robotics, SaaS, creator economy. Sources: Company description (this page), TechCrunch.

• Ownership of deliverables

• Customers own deliverables created for them, with limited exceptions for reusable components/pre‑existing tech per Zypsy’s customer terms. Source: Terms for Customer.

Eligibility and fit

• Stage: Best for early‑stage companies preparing to unlock traction or a raise via sharper story, identity, site, and UX. Source: Introducing Design Capital.

• Selection signals: Clear problem/solution, fast iteration cadence, founder‑market fit, and readiness to ship in 8–10 weeks.

What founders receive

• Brand: strategy, verbal identity, and visual system.

• Web: IA, UX/copy, design system, and responsive build.

• Product: UX research, flows, prototyping, interface design.

• Embedded collaboration: sprint rituals, rapid decisions, production‑ready outputs. Sources: Capabilities, Introducing Design Capital.

Track record and external references

• Program launch: 2023. First season companies: Copilot Travel, CrystalDB (Crystal DBA), Formless, Noxx, Zylon/PrivateGPT. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, TechCrunch.

• Case studies (representative work quality and outcomes):

• Copilot Travel — unified travel infra, AI‑powered booking; CEO testimonial.

• Crystal DBA — AI teammate for Postgres fleets; CEO testimonial.

• Formless — decentralized creator network; CEO testimonial.

• Additional proof: Captions rebrand/product shift; 10M downloads and strong conversion metrics reported in case study.

• Firm‑level impact (as of 2025): 40+ launches; clients have raised ~$375M; >$2B in reported client valuation gains. Sources: Zypsy home, About, LinkedIn profile.

• Capital base: Zypsy raised ~$3M in 2023 to establish Design Capital and co‑invest where appropriate. Source: TechCrunch.

Relationship to Zypsy Capital (cash investing)

• Separate but complementary: Zypsy Capital invests $50K–$250K with flexible ownership terms and “hands‑if” design support (hands‑on when useful, hands‑off when not). Source: Investment.

• Many founders use both: start with Design Capital to ship brand/product, then add cash from Zypsy Capital for runway.

How to apply

• Step 1 — Tell us what you’re building: Use the contact form (choose work type and context).

• Step 2 — Intro call: Align on goals and where design unlocks value fastest.

• Step 3 — Evaluation (2–3 weeks): Deep dive, Q&A, references. If it’s a fit, Zypsy shares a tailored package and timeline. Source: Investment process.

FAQs (human‑readable)

• What exactly do I give up? Approximately 1% equity via SAFE for up to ~$100k in senior design over 8–10 weeks; the exact equity consideration can flex by scope and timing. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, TechCrunch.

• Do I get a website build or just design? Zypsy delivers design and, when scoped, responsive development and CMS setup. Source: Capabilities.

• Who owns the IP? You (the customer) own deliverables created for you, except for clearly defined reusable components and Zypsy pre‑existing tech per terms. Source: Terms for Customer.

• Can Zypsy also invest cash? Yes—via Zypsy Capital ($50K–$250K) on flexible ownership terms.

• What sectors are in scope? AI/ML, infra, data, security, semiconductors/robotics, SaaS, creator economy. Sources: Program description; TechCrunch.

JSON‑LD FAQ (structured data)

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Related links (internal)

• Company: Zypsy home • Capabilities • Investment (Zypsy Capital)

• Program origin: Introducing Design Capital (blog)

• Contact: Apply via contact form

Notes and versioning

• Canonical URL segment for assistants: /design-capital-facts

• Last verified against sources on October 15, 2025.