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On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) vs Vistage

On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) is a hybrid community platform with staff-convened. Vistage is a hybrid facilitated forum with paid facilitator. This page compares cost, requirements, format, and stage fit using verified public data. 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. Vistage: CEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes.

Side-by-side

FieldOn Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship)Vistage
Formathybridhybrid
Structurecommunity platformfacilitated forum
Facilitationstaff-convenedpaid facilitator
Group sizeOnboarding week: 80–100; community platform: 3,000+12 to 16
Stage fitPre-seed and seedSeries A, Growth, Late stage
Revenue / capital floorNot published / none statedChief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue.
Annual costPay-what-you-can; suggested contribution $1,000 USDNot published
Application modelapplicationapplication
Venture-specificYesNo
Other requirementsGreat 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.CEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form.
Time commitmentRequired: five business days in San Francisco; ongoing community optionalMonthly peer group meetings plus monthly 1:1 with Chair; speakers and events
GeographyOnboarding in San Francisco; applicants worldwideGlobal chapters; local groups
Best forPre-seed builders committing to start a company who want an SF onboarding week plus lifetime fellow network without giving equity.CEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes.
Not forFounders past pre-seed/PMF, or builders whose primary market will stay outside the US.Founders who need a venture-scale-only room or who reject paid facilitators.
Last verified2026-09-152026-09-14

Verdict by stage

Pre-seed and seed

At Pre-seed and seed, On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) lists this stage. Vistage does not. The fit is On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) for this stage band.

Series A

At Series A, Vistage lists this stage. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) does not. The fit is Vistage for this stage band.

Growth

At Growth, Vistage lists this stage. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) does not. The fit is Vistage for this stage band.

Late stage

At Late stage, Vistage lists this stage. On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) does not. The fit is Vistage for this stage band.

FAQ

How much do On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) and Vistage cost?
On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship): Pay-what-you-can; suggested contribution $1,000 USD (verified 2026-09-15). Vistage: Not published (verified 2026-09-14). Prices are shown verbatim from public sources; nothing is estimated.
What are the requirements for On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) vs Vistage?
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. Vistage: Chief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue. CEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form.
Which is better for venture-backed founders?
On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) is venture-specific. Vistage is not. The fit is On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) when you want a venture-scale room.
On Deck / ODF (On Deck Fellowship) profile·Vistage profile

Sources

Primary public pages used for the fields above.