Last verified
Founders Network vs On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)
Founders Network is a hybrid community platform with peer-led. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) is a hybrid community platform with staff-convened. This page compares cost, requirements, format, and stage fit using verified public data. Founders Network: Full-time tech startup founders who want a vetted peer community and stage-tiered mentoring without giving equity. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship): Pre-seed builders committing to start a company who want an SF onboarding week plus lifetime fellow network without giving equity.
Side-by-side
| Field | Founders Network | On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | hybrid | hybrid |
| Structure | community platform | community platform |
| Facilitation | peer-led | staff-convened |
| Group size | Peer Advisory Roundtables: 10 to 12; community 600+ | Onboarding week: 80–100; community platform: 3,000+ |
| Stage fit | Pre-seed and seed, Series A | Pre-seed and seed |
| Revenue / capital floor | No single floor; tiers by experience — Launch (pre-revenue–$10K / self-funded–$100K raised); Scale ($10K–$1M / $100K–$3M raised); Lead ($1M+ / $3M+ raised). | Not published / none stated |
| Annual cost | Launch $75/mo; Scale $134/mo; Lead $249/mo (annual commitments). Lifetime plan amount Not published. | Pay-what-you-can; suggested contribution $1,000 USD |
| Application model | invite-only | application |
| Venture-specific | Yes | Yes |
| Other requirements | Full-time tech startup founder (no service firms); invite-only with membership committee approval; no selling/pitching. | Great fit: track record of shipping; committed (or soon) to starting a company. Not a fit: past pre-seed/PMF, already have a full team, primary customers outside US. Must attend full SF sprint. Non-dilutive. |
| Time commitment | Flexible; 100+ events/year available; Lead includes monthly peer roundtables | Required: five business days in San Francisco; ongoing community optional |
| Geography | Global chapters including SF, Silicon Valley, LA, Seattle, Vancouver, NYC, London | Onboarding in San Francisco; applicants worldwide |
| Best for | Full-time tech startup founders who want a vetted peer community and stage-tiered mentoring without giving equity. | Pre-seed builders committing to start a company who want an SF onboarding week plus lifetime fellow network without giving equity. |
| Not for | Service-firm operators, non-founders, or people looking to sell inside the network. | Founders past pre-seed/PMF, or builders whose primary market will stay outside the US. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-15 | 2026-09-15 |
Verdict by stage
Pre-seed and seed
At Pre-seed and seed, both Founders Network and On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) list this stage. Compare revenue floor (No single floor; tiers by experience — Launch (pre-revenue–$10K / self-funded–$100K raised); Scale ($10K–$1M / $100K–$3M raised); Lead ($1M+ / $3M+ raised). vs Not published / none stated) and format (hybrid vs hybrid) to decide.
Series A
At Series A, Founders Network lists this stage. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) does not. The fit is Founders Network for this stage band.
Growth
At Growth, neither group lists this stage as a primary fit. Founders Network targets Pre-seed and seed, Series A. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) targets Pre-seed and seed.
Late stage
At Late stage, neither group lists this stage as a primary fit. Founders Network targets Pre-seed and seed, Series A. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) targets Pre-seed and seed.
FAQ
- How much do Founders Network and On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) cost?
- Founders Network: Launch $75/mo; Scale $134/mo; Lead $249/mo (annual commitments). Lifetime plan amount Not published. (verified 2026-09-15). On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship): Pay-what-you-can; suggested contribution $1,000 USD (verified 2026-09-15). Prices are shown verbatim from public sources; nothing is estimated.
- What are the requirements for Founders Network vs On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)?
- Founders Network: No single floor; tiers by experience — Launch (pre-revenue–$10K / self-funded–$100K raised); Scale ($10K–$1M / $100K–$3M raised); Lead ($1M+ / $3M+ raised). Full-time tech startup founder (no service firms); invite-only with membership committee approval; no selling/pitching. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship): Not published / none stated Great fit: track record of shipping; committed (or soon) to starting a company. Not a fit: past pre-seed/PMF, already have a full team, primary customers outside US. Must attend full SF sprint. Non-dilutive.
- Which is better for venture-backed founders?
- Both Founders Network and On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) are venture-specific. Compare stage fit (Pre-seed and seed, Series A vs Pre-seed and seed) and format.
Sources
Primary public pages used for the fields above.
- foundersnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- foundersnetwork.com/benefitsRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- foundersnetwork.com/media-kitRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- admissions.joinodf.comRetrieved 2026-09-15 · On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)
- joinodf.comRetrieved 2026-09-15 · On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)
- beondeck.comRetrieved 2026-09-15 · On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)