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Comment by josh_carterPDX | Hacker News Reader

Trying to understand the mission behind this program. The site has no information. With YC, 500, and Techstars it's pretty clear they are very team/founder focused. It would be nice to understand why founders should look at Zero-F and how they can benefit from going through this program.

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This looks like an internal incubation organization (close to say Obvious Corp) rather than an accelerator.

They make their own products/teams/companies then spin them out as appropriate, rather than having pre made teams and products apply to a program.

It's eluding me, but isn't there an organization that does this?

Betaworks? https://betaworks.com

There are lots of incubators which do this, Betaworks being one of the better known.

McKinsey? Up or out. Not strictly an incubator but similar net effect.

[EDIT] Elucidation

https://expa.com/

I could be wrong on exact details, but:

Playground

Idealab

Idealab! That's the one I was thinking of. Thanks. :)

Invoke Labs

This isn't a YC competitor. YC is the best accelerator out there and there isn't need for another in my opinion.

A year ago I looked at my life and realized I really enjoy and get fulfillment out of three things:

1) learning about new industries and thinking about how technology can improve them

2) developing products and consequently seeing numbers go up (users, revenue, anything really)

3) mentoring people I really enjoy the company of over extended periods of time (years)

Zero-F is my attempt to build a thing where I maximize my ability to do those things. It isn't a program or application based. It's me opportunistically building 1 to 2 startups a year with friends or people in my extended network or even new people. I provide business building insight, product knowledge, capital, recruit talent, and they bring grit.

Thanks for the explanation Justin. We met years ago when you just started doing Justin.tv. Excited to see where your next adventure takes you. If I can be of any help please let me know. Happy to provide my unique perspective. :)

that's fucking awesome.

I see this as a Boutique Incubator. Something smaller, with more closeness between mentors/investors and the team.

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