AQ: the new competitive advantage.
We believe that to shape the future, our business leaders need a new type of DNA.
We call it AQ: Adaptability Quotient – the ability to thrive in a world of accelerating change.
That’s why we’ve created the world’s first learning experience intentionally designed to nurture AQ.
how it works.
During the 9-month programme, you will learn alongside a hand-selected Tribe of exceptional individuals. The experience is divided up into 4 phases:
how it works.
During the 9-month programme, you will learn alongside a hand-selected Tribe of exceptional individuals.
1. reset, humbly.pre-programme, 6 weeks online
Phase I starts with you. Your values, your talents, your purpose. It will kick off with a 1:1 careers coaching session as soon as you’re accepted onto the programme. This will help you set your personalised learning objectives. We’ll then give you access to The FA Toolkit and invite you into the The FA Slack Channel. You will work through ~80hrs of online courses and challenges at your own pace, designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge to hit the ground running when the programme begins.
1. reset, humbly.pre-programme, 6 weeks online
Phase I starts with you. Your values, your talents, your purpose. It will kick off with a 1:1 careers coaching session as soon as you’re accepted onto the programme. This will help you set your personalised learning objectives. We’ll then give you access to The FA Toolkit and invite you into the The FA Slack Channel. You will work through ~80hrs of online courses and challenges at your own pace, designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge to hit the ground running when the programme begins.
2. learn, actively.3 months, @ fa campus
Phase II is all about learning with your Tribe. It will be intensive, immersive and like no other education experience you’ve had before. With the input of the Founders Forum network, we have designed a unique project-based curriculum that spans the fundamental technology, business & human literacies needed to thrive in the future of work. Intentionally designed to simulate what it will be like to work in a high-growth tech startup, you will work in sprint cycles to put your new skills into practice, solving real world problems as a team.
2. learn, actively.3 months, @ fa campus
Phase II is all about learning with your Tribe. It will be intensive, immersive and like no other education experience you’ve had before. With the input of the Founders Forum network, we have designed a unique project-based curriculum that spans the fundamental technology, business & human literacies needed to thrive in the future of work. Intentionally designed to simulate what it will be like to work in a high-growth tech startup, you will work in sprint cycles to put your new skills into practice, solving real world problems as a team.
3. apply, adaptively.6 months, @ placement company
Phase III is when you fly the nest. You will spend 4.5 days per week working alongside world-class teams and delivering an impactful project in your placement company. Each Friday afternoon, you will return to the FA campus to work on live challenges you are facing in your placement with your Tribe. Throughout these 6 months, we will regularly bring together our full ecosystem of partner companies to help you build your network, explore your options and carve out a uniquely exciting career path, hopefully at your placement company.
3. apply, adaptively.6 months, @ placement company
Phase III is when you fly the nest. You will spend 4.5 days per week working alongside world-class teams and delivering an impactful project in your placement company. Each Friday afternoon, you will return to the FA campus to work on live challenges you are facing in your placement with your Tribe. Throughout these 6 months, we will regularly bring together our full ecosystem of partner companies to help you build your network, explore your options and carve out a uniquely exciting career path, hopefully at your placement company.
4. give back, proudly.post-programme, as fa alumni
Phase IV is a lifestyle. Founders Academy is a launchpad to an impactful new future. However, that future is complex, uncertain and ambiguous. Our ambition is to create the world’s #1 network of lifelong learners so that we can navigate that future together. As Alumni, we’ll invite you to help us select future Tribes and mentor them as they begin their own journey of reinvention.
4. give back, proudly.post-programme, as fa alumni
Phase IV is a lifestyle. Founders Academy is a launchpad to an impactful new future. However, that future is complex, uncertain and ambiguous. Our ambition is to create the world’s #1 network of lifelong learners so that we can navigate that future together. As Alumni, we’ll invite you to help us select future Tribes and mentor them as they begin their own journey of reinvention.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN.
Our interdisciplinary curriculum has been shaped by the people building the businesses of the future. You will intentionally be exposed to a broad range of skills and subject areas. There will be time & space to dive deeper into the areas you most enjoy.
BUSINESS LITERACIES
Structured problem solving
Lean startup
User research
Strategy & operations
Startup finance
Business development & sales
Ethical decision-making
...
TECHNOLOGY LITERACIES
UX & Design
Engineering
Data science
Growth marketing
Product management
Artificial intelligence
Emerging technologies
...
HUMAN LITERACIES
Values & purpose
Productivity
Mental & physical fitness
Growth mindset
Leading & managing teams
Influence & negotiation
Relationships & network
...
how you'll learn.
how you'll learn.
LEARN FROM MASTERS.
You will learn exclusively from some of the world’s most successful scaleup leaders.
LEARN BY DOING.
100% of your learning will be applied, either via simulation or real-life placement.
LEARN WITH A TRIBE.
In the world of work, team is everything. That’s why you learn with a tribe.
LEARN FOR LIFE.
You will learn how to learn,
the most important gift of all.
our placement partners.
We’re very selective about the companies we choose to work with. We’ve spent a lot of time carefully curating a diverse community of London’s most exciting and ambitious scaleups.
Founders Intelligence is on a mission to help companies reinvent their industries through technology.
Vita Mojo is a software company on a mission to make food more personal.
Koru Kids is an online platform on a mission to build the world’s best childcare service.
Ada is an AI-driven medical platform on a mission to create new possibilities for personal health.
Lantum is an online platform on a mission to save the NHS £1bn in staffing costs.
firstminute capital is a $100M venture fund on a mission to be the most helpful seed fund in Europe.
Founders Factory is a venture builder on a mission to be the world’s best partner for founders.
Founders Pledge is nonprofit on a mission to empower entrepreneurs to do immense good.
Bulb is a startup energy supplier on a mission to make energy simpler, cheaper and greener.
LendInvest is an online marketplace on a mission to make property finance better for everyone.
Memrise is an AI-powered learning app on a mission to make language learning joyful.
Faculty is on a mission to help organisations make AI real.
Farmdrop is an online ethical supermarket on a mission to fix the food chain.
PUBLIC is a venture firm on a mission to help tech startups transform public services.
Depop is a social commerce platform on a mission to empower creative minds.
Callsign is a deep tech company on a mission to make all interactions seamless and secure.