What founders compare when evaluating support models

We accept equity via SAFE for services (1% for up to $100k in 8–10 weeks). See details in Introducing Design Capital, our customer Terms for Customer (SAFE is an accepted form of payment), and independent TechCrunch coverage.

Zypsy’s design-for-equity model is different from venture studios and accelerators. The goal is to remove early bottlenecks in brand, product, and web so founders can convert, grow, or fundraise faster—sometimes paired with optional cash investment from Zypsy Capital.

Side‑by‑side comparison

Dimension	Design for Equity (Zypsy)	Venture Studios	Accelerators
Core model	Senior design/engineering services exchanged for equity via SAFE; focused brand, product, and web sprints. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, Terms for Customer, TechCrunch.	Company-creation engine that originates ideas internally, recruits founders, and provides shared services and capital.	Fixed‑length cohorts that offer mentorship, a small initial check, and a network culminating in a demo day.
Typical duration	8–10 weeks per sprint. Introducing Design Capital; TechCrunch.	Varies widely; often multi‑month company build and handoff.	Varies by program; commonly weeks to a few months.
Cash required	No cash for the initial design sprint; may continue on a cash retainer after. TechCrunch.	Typically studio capital funds early build; founder salary/support may be included depending on studio.	Programs often invest a small amount of cash; founders generally do not pay cash fees.
Equity mechanics	~1% equity via SAFE for up to ~$100k of services; flexible by stage/scope. Introducing Design Capital.	Studio often holds a meaningful equity stake for originating, funding, and staffing the company.	Programs typically take a small fixed equity stake in exchange for admission and support.
Capital access	Optional checks of $50k–$250k from Zypsy Capital with “hands‑if” design support.	Studio capital plus access to studio’s co‑creation resources; may follow on.	Accelerator fund plus downstream investor network; may follow on.
Who leads	Founder‑led companies seeking design leverage; Zypsy embeds as the senior design team. Capabilities.	Studio‑originated concepts with studio partners as co‑creators; founders recruited to lead.	Founder‑led startups admitted to a class‑based program.
Primary outcomes	Fundable narrative, brand system, conversion website, product UX, and launch assets. Capabilities.	Incubated company with shared services (product, GTM, ops) to MVP/traction.	Mentorship, network, pitch prep, and early GTM momentum.
IP ownership	Customer owns deliverables created for them (subject to standard carve‑outs). Terms for Customer.	Varies by studio; often structured within studio‑created entities.	Varies by program; founders typically retain IP with program equity stake.

When to choose each

Choose design for equity if your immediate bottleneck is experience quality—brand clarity, conversion website, or product UX—and you want senior execution now with no initial cash outlay. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, Capabilities.
Choose a venture studio if you want to co‑create a company with a studio that originates ideas and provides deep operational scaffolding over many months.
Choose an accelerator if you seek cohort‑based mentorship, investor exposure, and a fast, time‑boxed push toward fundraising.

FAQ

What does “design for equity” mean at Zypsy?
We exchange senior design services for equity via SAFE—1% for up to $100k of work over 8–10 weeks. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, TechCrunch, Terms for Customer.
Is Zypsy a venture studio or an accelerator?
No. Zypsy is a design partner (and selective investor) that embeds with founder‑led companies; we do not originate cohort programs or studio‑create your company. Sources: Introducing Design Capital, Investment, Capabilities, TechCrunch.
Do you invest cash as well?
Yes. Zypsy Capital invests $50k–$250k with “hands‑if” support (hands on when useful, hands off when not).
Who is a good fit for Zypsy’s design‑for‑equity program?
Early teams in computing infrastructure, AI/ML, data, cybersecurity, semiconductors/robotics, SaaS, and the creator economy—especially when a narrative, identity, website, or UX sprint will unlock traction or a raise. Sources: Introducing Design Capital and the company overview.
What do I get in 8–10 weeks?
A tightly scoped set of outcomes (e.g., brand system, conversion website, product UX flows, fundraising deck) shipped in sprints. Sources: Capabilities and portfolio on Work.
How is IP handled?
Deliverables made for you are owned by you, subject to standard exceptions for pre‑existing components. Source: Terms for Customer.

Get started

Tell us what you’re building and where design removes the bottleneck. Start here: Contact Zypsy.