FAQ

• 
  Will Vaporware develop my app idea?

  If it's a B2B SaaS product, we can build it, the question is—should we?. We focus on solving the problem as the market demands, and are not tied particular solutions. Before starting this process, it's important to know that most ideas change, sometimes drastically, during the early market validation and creation stages.

• 
  Does Vaporware take equity?

  We typically discount our service rates in exchange for a SAFE. We also join seed investment rounds as investors after traction is gained. We can connect you with idea-stage angel investors, but we don't recommend raising on an idea as it will over-dilute your ownership.

• 
  What does a typical engagement look like with Vaporware?

  Our engagements are goverened by a single Master Agreement that defines general things like how the new co owns 100% of the work. We then sign a small project agreement for the research stage to make sure we operate well as partners. If that goes well, we sign a single agreement that encompasses the rest of the journey, becoming a startup team for the next 6 months.

  We'll be doing all the work together, where everyone wears several hats, just like a standalone startup. We'll also be pulling in community experts we've built deep relationships with along the way.

• 
  How much does it cost?

  Our goal is to do the most with the least. We start engagements, with the research stage, at $20-30K, but our successful founders often spend between $400K and $600K over 6 months to successfully get to traction, a healthy valuation, and raise a $1-4M seed round. There are lower-priced options to get to market and traction, but those options take years to get results.

  If you need help modeling cash flow needs, we recommend our partner Finmark.

• 
  How long does it take?

  While speed depends on the idea and market, we've de-risked the team building to move as quickly as possible. We've advised startups in a single phone call and invalidated ideas in just 2 weeks of market research. Successful startups reach funding and scale in just 6 months, but some have raised their seed round faster.

• 
  How many startups does Vaporware work with at a time?

  As a focused team, we're actively testing, building, selling, and fundraising 3 startups at a time. Once startups start raise and scale, we often continue to support them.

• 
  Does Vaporware have a fund?

  Studios that also have funds usually work on spinning out their own idea, taking a founder's share (30-70%) of the startup. Most don't even develop the products themselves.

  We work with founders who own a problem and have some ideas, so they keep 100% of their company until they're ready to fund raise and the terms are in their favor.

• 
  How is Vaporware different from an accelerator or incubator?

  Our focus is on doing the startup validation and execution, not teaching you how to do it. If you want to learn how to do this stuff on your own, there are hundreds of resources and some amazing programs locally that can teach you.

  We adapt our framework for launching high-growth startups to your particular business requirements. That means you won't be part of a large cohort or have a demo day. We'll work towards actual outcomes and results instead.

• 
  Is Vaporware a technical co-founder?

  We often play a technical co-founder role for many business founders. We're also a product, sales, marketing, design, financial, recruiting, and development co-founder. Better yet? We're all that in one. We bring this variety of experience and perspective as a cohesive team.

• 
  Is Vaporware a development firm?

  Development firms write code for business requirements. While that's a step in our process, we focus holistically on taking products to market. If you just need a team of devs to do what you tell them, we're not the right fit.

• 
  Do I have to be in (or move to) Raleigh to work with Vaporware?

  Not at all. The majority of the founders we work with are from all over the US. It's helpful to collaborate in person occasionally, but thanks to tools like Miro and Slack, virtual can be better.