Q: How do I apply?

You can apply for funding here . We accept applications on a rolling basis and review every submission carefully. If you don’t hear from us, it simply means we’re passing for now — we aren’t able to provide feedback on individual applications. If we do reach out, you’ll go through a series of interviews with our U.S. team, advisors, alumni, and leadership to explore whether EF is the right fit for you and which pathway suits you best.

Q: What are the terms?

For the $250K pathway – for founders ready to build now We invest up to $250K on simple, founder-friendly terms: $125K via a post-money SAFE for 8% of your company (from EF) $125K via an uncapped MFN SAFE (from our partner, Transpose Platform). This second investment is optional and available if you relocate to San Francisco and incorporate as a Delaware C-Corp This structure gives you transparency and flexibility – the amount of equity sold is immediately clear, and post-money SAFEs are the standard across early-stage investing. For the $10K Fellowship – for founders still exploring what to build For individuals who are earlier in their journey, EF provides an equity-free $10K grant This grant is designed to give you the freedom to explore ideas, meet potential cofounders, and test directions before pitching to raise EF’s full $250K investment (if that’s where your journey takes you). We’ll share full documentation, and guidance once you receive an offer – so you fully understand your commitments before joining.

Question 1

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for funding here. We accept applications on a rolling basis and review every submission carefully. If you don’t hear from us, it simply means we’re passing for now — we aren’t able to provide feedback on individual applications. If we do reach out, you’ll go through a series of interviews with our U.S. team, advisors, alumni, and leadership to explore whether EF is the right fit for you and which pathway suits you best.

Question 2

Who should apply?

Accepted Answer

We back exceptional individuals, even before they have a cofounder, company, or fully formed idea. If you’re ambitious, driven, and want to build a generational company – EF is for you.

You don’t need to have a team in place. What matters most is your potential as a founder and your urgency to build. We will explore which pathway to build with EF makes most sense for you.

Question 3

What does the program look like?

Accepted Answer

When you join EF, there are two ways we work together depending on where you are in your journey. For individuals who are ready to go all in, now, you can apply for $250K today to start building. We will invest in you on Day 1, upfront. You’ll live and work in San Francisco for your first three months, surrounded by other world-class founders.

Throughout the program, you’ll have a house to live in, dedicated 1:1 and team coaching, guidance from EF partners, advisors, and mentors as you refine your idea, find your cofounder, and prepare to raise from top investors. Your journey culminates in a private Demo Day, where you’ll pitch to EF’s network of tier one U.S. investors.

Equally, for individuals who are still exploring what to build, or even whether to build, we offer an equity free $10K grant and housing for three months. This will give you the time, space, and support to experiment while working alongside other founders.

You’ll have access to the same residency, mentorship, and coaching as our high-commitment founders – with the goal of progressing to EF’s full $250K investment and eventually a pathway to Demo Day once you’re ready to build full-time.

Question 4

What are the terms?

Accepted Answer

For the $250K pathway – for founders ready to build now We invest up to $250K on simple, founder-friendly terms:

$125K via a post-money SAFE for 8% of your company (from EF)
$125K via an uncapped MFN SAFE (from our partner, Transpose Platform). This second investment is optional and available if you relocate to San Francisco and incorporate as a Delaware C-Corp

This structure gives you transparency and flexibility – the amount of equity sold is immediately clear, and post-money SAFEs are the standard across early-stage investing. For the $10K Fellowship – for founders still exploring what to build For individuals who are earlier in their journey, EF provides an equity-free $10K grant This grant is designed to give you the freedom to explore ideas, meet potential cofounders, and test directions before pitching to raise EF’s full $250K investment (if that’s where your journey takes you). We’ll share full documentation, and guidance once you receive an offer – so you fully understand your commitments before joining.

Question 5

Do I need to relocate to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Being in the right ecosystem matters. Our office and founder house are both in San Francisco, where our community lives and world-class founders build together. Whilst residency isn’t mandatory, we strongly encourage it – immersion is a huge unlock. The residency gives you focus, community, and instant access to peers on the same journey.

Question 6

What kind of companies does EF help founders build?

Accepted Answer

We’re sector agnostic, which means we build and invest in everything. We care about big problems, huge ambition and hard technical challenges. Our portfolio spans deep tech, robotics, consumer gaming, and more. Have a look at Icarus Robotics, Peripheral Labs and ZeroEntropy to get a sense of the range.