Founder Framework — Program Overview for Applicants

Founder Framework is an 11-week, hands-on and in-person program at T-REX designed to help early-stage founders gain clarity, build essential startup skills, and create the core materials needed to move their businesses forward. Whether you’re at the idea stage or already have customers, the program focuses on fundamentals that even experienced founders revisit again and again.

Each week focuses on one foundational topic — from customer discovery and value proposition design to business models, market sizing, go-to-market strategy, and financial storytelling. Founders leave every session with practical, usable outputs they can apply immediately.

The program also integrates investor-readiness throughout, helping founders develop a clear and compelling narrative for grant opportunities, pitch competitions, and future fundraising.

The program is free, in-person, and facilitated by venture capitalist Vikram Lakhwara, with support from the T-REX community.

Who Should Apply?

Early-stage founders, idea-stage founders validating a concept, first-time builders seeking structure, and entrepreneurs preparing for future grant, pitch, or investment opportunities.

What You Will Gain

🦖 A clarified problem, customer segment, and value proposition

🦖 Customer insights from real conversations

🦖 A simple and defendable TAM/SAM/SOM model

🦖 A working business model and early unit economics

🦖 A practical go-to-market plan and early experiments

🦖 A product roadmap tied to milestones

🦖 A straightforward financial story and model

🦖 A polished, investor-ready narrative and pitch outline

Details

Format: In-person workshops at T-REX

Cost: Free

Duration: 11 weeks

Program dates & times: Jan 28 – Apr 15, 2026; Wednesdays, 6–8pm at T-REX (no session March 11 for spring break)

Application deadline: January 9, 2026

APPLY HERE