FNDRS Pod Pilot

Know what to do next with your business idea.

A free, facilitated working session for full-time professionals building a business, startup, or independent project alongside their jobs.

Bring one real challenge. Leave with one clear next step.

Apply for the Free FNDRS Pod Session

75 minutes 4–6 participants Virtual

You bring one real challenge

"Should I build the waitlist feature or talk to more customers first?"

4–6 builders and a facilitator, 75 minutes

You leave with one clear next step

"Talk to 5 more customers before building anything."

A personal check-in follows

The facilitator follows up afterward to see how it went

Does this sound familiar?

You've been thinking about your idea for months. Maybe you've researched competitors, listened to podcasts, used AI, watched videos, or started building.

But every time you sit down to work on it, you wonder:

Should I build?

Should I talk to customers?

Should I narrow my idea?

Am I solving the right problem?

What's the most important thing I should do next?

The problem usually isn't a lack of accountability. It's deciding what deserves your attention next – and not having a thoughtful sounding board to help you figure it out.

Unlike AI or online communities, the value comes from a live conversation with carefully selected builders who challenge your thinking and help you make better decisions.

A structured working session – not another networking event.

Every participant brings one real business challenge they're currently facing – something specific enough to work on in the time available.

This is a facilitated discussion, not a lecture. No one is presenting slides. No one is selling anything. The value comes from the structure of the conversation and the perspectives of the people in the room, not from any single expert's advice.

The facilitator's role is to structure the conversation, ask useful questions, and keep the group focused. The goal is not to provide all the answers, but to help participants make better use of the perspectives in the room and leave with one concrete next step.

Explain what you're building

Describe where you're stuck

Receive thoughtful questions and perspectives

Identify one concrete next step

Who this is for

This is designed for people who are already working through a real idea and want help deciding what to do next.

This is for you if:

✓ You're working full-time and building something on the side – a business, startup, or independent project
✓ You have a specific, current challenge you're facing (not just a vague desire to "get feedback")
✓ You've already done some thinking or work on your idea
✓ You're open to being asked hard questions, not just given reassurance
✓ You can commit to one full 75-minute session

Not for you if:

– You're looking for an investor pitch, funding, or a sales channel
– You're looking for one-on-one coaching or mentoring rather than a small-group discussion
– You haven't started thinking about a real idea yet
– You're not able to speak openly about your challenge in a small group
– You're expecting an established, ongoing program – this is a first pilot

Who you'll be in the room with

Each session brings together 4–6 professionals building a business, startup, or independent project alongside a full-time job. The group is intentionally small so everyone has time to contribute and receive focused input.

Applications are reviewed to create a group with complementary experiences and similar levels of progress, often with a mix of professional backgrounds. The goal isn't to surround you with people building the same thing – it's to surround you with people who can help you think more clearly about your next decision.

Illustrative example of the range of stages a group might include:

Validating an idea

Building an MVP

Post-launch, pre-revenue

Early side project

Exploring direction

Your seat — any stage

How it works

Step 1

Apply

Share what you're building and the challenge you'd bring. The application also helps create a relevant, well-balanced group.

Step 2

Join the session

Join a 75-minute virtual working session with 4–6 carefully selected participants and a facilitator.

Step 3

Leave with one clear next step

Leave with a clear decision and one concrete next step for the challenge you brought.

Step 4

Share feedback

Share what was useful, what could improve, and whether the format would be worth continuing.

FNDRS Pod Pilot

What happens next?

This first FNDRS Pod Pilot is intentionally small and carefully facilitated. Starting with one focused session makes it possible to learn what genuinely helps participants before developing a larger or recurring format.

Afterward, participants will be asked:

What was valuable?
What wasn't?
What would make this worth doing again?

Participant feedback will shape how the pilot evolves. Those who find the session valuable may be invited to future sessions as the format develops. The goal will remain the same: help each participant leave knowing what to do next.

There is absolutely no obligation to continue. This first session is free; if the pilot continues, future sessions may come at a cost.

Frequently asked questions

No. Some participants will have a live product, others will still be validating an idea or working through early direction. What matters is that you have a specific, current challenge to bring – not a particular stage of progress.

No. This is a facilitated peer working session, not one-on-one coaching or consulting. The facilitator structures the discussion, asks useful questions, and keeps the group focused. The value comes from the process and from the perspectives of the other builders in the room.

AI can generate ideas, summarize information, and answer questions. What it can't do is recreate a live discussion where thoughtful peers ask follow-up questions, challenge your assumptions, and build on one another's perspectives. FNDRS Pod is designed to complement AI – not replace it.

One real, current challenge you're facing in your business or project – something specific enough that the group can meaningfully engage with it in the time available. No slides or prep documents needed. For example: "Should I build the waitlist feature or go talk to 10 more customers first?" or "My beta users like the product but aren't paying – is the issue price, positioning, or the offer itself?"

One 75-minute virtual session. There's no additional homework or ongoing commitment attached to the pilot itself.

Participants are asked to keep what's shared in the session private. Given the small group size, you're encouraged to share only what you're comfortable discussing with a group of peers.

Participants will be asked what was useful, what could improve, and whether the format would be worth continuing. Those who find it valuable may be invited to future pilot sessions as the format evolves. There is no obligation to continue. This session is free; future sessions, if offered, may come at a cost.