Curious about our Accelerator program? Watch the Spring 2025 Application Livestream Q&A
The TinySeed accelerator team (Rob Walling, Tracy Osborn, and Alex McQuade) hosted a live application info session to answer questions about the Spring 2025 application round.
New to TinySeed? Check out the recording above, read more about the program, or check out our FAQ.
Questions Answered:
(Click the timestamp to jump straight to the question on YouTube)
12:21 – What are the youngest and oldest founders that you've had?
14:13 – Is it possible or convenient to apply simultaneously to TinySeed and others like YC?
15:52 – I believe I have a great idea I've been working on, but according to your website, applicants should have at least $500 MRR. I have 4 customers but have not reached $500 MRR yet. Should I apply?
17:13 – Anything for Singapore incorporated company?
18:00 – Do you invest in Delaware “C” Corp pre-seed?
18:22 – How would you approach target market estimation?
20:15 – Can you talk about the accelerator and what is included besides the events?
23:30 – Can you discuss the upshot for setting up in the USA in the current geopolitical climate vs a more neutral location like Switzerland or Singapore?
24:30 – We are about to sign our first customer which will get us above $500 MRR – I’m confident to get this signed ahead of you making your final decision but not for the application deadline now – thoughts?
27:00 – The application says we need ARR of $500, can we still apply if there is no revenue or paying customers?
27:30 – Can you elaborate more on "strong fit" candidates?
32:00 – What's the conversion rate of applicants to interviewees? If someone isn't selected for an interview, do you provide feedback, and is the decision final?
33:30 – Is equity dilution negotiable?
37:10 – Are there industries that you simply won’t invest in?
38:10 – Do you work with multi-national teams? For example, I’m in the US but my technical co-founder is in Spain.
39:00 – Does TinySeed also assist in B2B client introductions?
40:00 – My company is currently structured in the US as an LLC with partners. Is it required that we restructure into a Delaware Corp-C prior to application? Or could we restructure post-acceptance?
41:20 – What about a startup with $2k on average in lifetime deals sold a month, switching over to monthly subscriptions? 41:30 – How do I pick a good niche?
42:44 – Do you automatically get investment if you are accepted?
43:10 – Your website says you invest between $120-220k. How do you decide where in that range you are going to make the offer?
44:40 – My software is designed for individual realtors. Would you consider that B2B?
46:15 – Is the application open once a year or when would the application be open again after February? (No timestamp provided) – How many accelerators do you run within a year? When would be the next one to apply?
47:30 – Do you think a non-tech Solo entrepreneur can build a comprehensive project technically on his own using no-low code solutions (making sure there isn't vendor lock-in) end-to-end?
49:15 – Do you back pre-revenue? I can understand no but just curious.
49:20 – How does the typical interaction / relationship between Tinyseed and funded startups look like after the accelerator is over?
52:30 – I'm still employed elsewhere while growing my business. Does TinySeed require me to quit/go all in?
52:30 – I have 5 young kids and a stable job. Would I need to quit my job when starting with TinySeed? What is the track record for projects where a founder has a day job?
54:00 – How do you feel about semi-technical people utilising cursor and similar tools?
55:15 – Would you consider investing in a Delaware LLC that had plans to structure the LLC as a worker-owned cooperative, with a non-voting investor equity pool?
55:30 – What happens if the project doesn't work out as expected and, for example, after 2-3 years the founders decide that there's no point in continuing it? Do the investment terms cover such a scenario?
56:30 – I sell directly to teachers so my TAM is fairly large, but I doubt I'll ever be able to raise my price to much more than its current price of $5/month. I know that's low for you. Am I SOL on TinySeed?
57:30 – What are the dates for the next phases? After February 23rd, when does the interview period start? And after that, how long until we officially start if accepted?