Startup Founder — Batch 0
Builders · Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $120,000 / year
- Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Job highlights
- Co-found AI companies with venture studio Builders.
- Validate ideas using AI platform VSI.
- Relocate to Rotterdam for company building.
- Receive pre-seed funding and equity.
- Apply now via AI-driven screening.
About the role
Startup Co-Founder - Enterprise AI Companies
Builders is a venture studio focused on co-founding Enterprise AI companies. We develop AI-native products to revolutionize how teams operate, serving businesses from SMB to enterprise. Builders provides capital, validation support, and company incorporation services.
About Builders and VSI Platform
Our platform, VSI, leverages AI to extract patterns from discovery calls, ensuring strategy remains signal-driven. This is a co-founding opportunity, not an accelerator or advisory service.
The Co-Founding Path
- Remote Validation (~10 weeks): Engage in discovery conversations with potential buyers, feeding insights into VSI. Teams form, and we assist with matching before incorporation. The goal is to validate the venture's potential with evidence-backed direction.
- Incorporation Submission: Based on evidence and conviction, propose the company for incorporation. Up to three submissions are allowed. Upon approval, the company incorporates in the Netherlands with pre-seed funding, a 12-month runway, and founder-friendly terms.
- On-site Shape in Rotterdam (Batch 0 Kickoff, Q3 2026): Transition to Rotterdam for 10+ weeks to secure first paying customers, develop an investment-grade pitch, and complete the founding team. This phase transforms a validated idea into a fully operational company.
- Post-Shape Growth: Continue building the company with Builders' support, focusing on expanding customer base, hiring, and progressing towards a Series A round.
Job Requirements for Founders
We seek founders who are ready to commit fully. Ideal candidates possess:
- Domain Sharpness: Deep knowledge of a market and key contacts for validation.
- Product Understanding: Strong taste and intuition for product development.
- Validation Drive: Ability to move quickly, energized by discovery conversations.
- Distribution Channels: Proven ability to reach buyers efficiently.
- AI Fluency: Proficient and regular use of AI tools in daily workflows (e.g., Claude, Cursor, agentic workflows).
Founders can come from sales, building, or deep industry access backgrounds. The strongest teams combine these perspectives.
Practicalities
- Location: Global during remote validation. Relocation to Rotterdam required for the on-site phase (minimum 3-6 months).
- Residency: EU passport or valid long-term Dutch visa is necessary for the on-site phase and company incorporation in NL.
- Working Language: English.
- Capital & Equity: Participation in Batch 0 is free. No compensation during remote validation; equity and pre-seed capital are provided upon incorporation if both parties agree to build together. Builders does not take equity during the validation phase.
Application Process
Our application process is direct and immediate:
- Immediate Screening: Upon application, you enter the Baseline Builder, an AI-driven screening process.
- Idea Baseline: A ~12-question AI conversation (voice or type) covering the problem, target audience, validation, and your unique suitability to build it.
- Founder Profile: A ~20-question situational assessment to evaluate your thinking, decision-making, work style, and collaboration skills. You will receive an archetype, energy map, and collaboration guide.
- Webcam Intro: A short in-browser webcam introduction (video retained for 30 days).
- Review & Next Steps: We review applications rapidly (days, not weeks). Successful candidates will share 5-10 customer conversations or working files to gain full VSI access.
Apply via a single form that leads directly into the Baseline Builder. Articulate your vision for what should exist and why you are the one to build it.
Application Tracks
- Commercial: For those with deep market expertise ready to build a company.
- Technical: For builders who prioritize shipping efficiently and correctly.
- Domain Expert: For individuals with unique industry access and insights, rather than traditional startup backgrounds.
Key skills/competency
- Startup Co-Founder
- Enterprise AI
- Venture Studio
- Product Development
- Market Validation
- Sales
- Business Development
- AI Fluency
- Venture Capital
- Entrepreneurship
Skills & topics
- Startup Founder
- Venture Capital
- AI
- Enterprise Software
- Co-Founder
- Entrepreneurship
- Rotterdam
- Netherlands
- Technology
- Business Development
How to get hired
- Prepare your 'Idea Baseline': Clearly articulate the problem, target audience, your validation, and why you are the ideal founder.
- Showcase your 'Founder Profile': Highlight your decision-making, work style, and collaborative approach through situational questions.
- Demonstrate AI Fluency: Be ready to showcase your practical use of AI tools in your daily workflow during the application.
- Leverage your 'Track': Choose the Commercial, Technical, or Domain Expert track that best fits your background and expertise.
- Focus on Validation: Emphasize your drive and ability to conduct rapid customer discovery and validation.
Technical preparation
Master AI tools like Claude and Cursor.,Develop agentic workflow strategies.,Prepare to demonstrate AI fluency.,Understand AI's role in business strategy.
Behavioral questions
Showcase your validation drive and speed.,Demonstrate product taste and understanding.,Highlight your distribution and buyer access.,Illustrate your collaborative work style.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Builders and what is the role of a Startup Co-Founder?
- Builders is a venture studio that co-founds Enterprise AI companies. As a Startup Co-Founder, you will partner with Builders to identify, validate, and build a new AI-native company from the ground up, leveraging their platform and resources.
- What is the VSI platform and how is it used?
- VSI is Builders' AI platform that extracts patterns from customer discovery calls. It helps ensure that company strategy is driven by real market signals rather than assumptions, aiding in the validation process.
- What is the time commitment and location expectation for this role?
- The role begins with approximately 10 weeks of remote validation. Following this, there's an on-site kickoff in Rotterdam (June/July 2026) for 10+ weeks, followed by a required 3-6 month minimum on-site period in Rotterdam for company building.
- What are the requirements for a Startup Co-Founder at Builders?
- Successful candidates need strong domain sharpness, product understanding, validation drive, distribution capabilities, and AI fluency. They should be prepared to commit fully like a founder.
- What financial support and equity can I expect as a co-founder?
- While there is no compensation during the remote validation phase, upon incorporation, you will receive pre-seed capital with a 12-month runway and founder-friendly equity terms. Builders does not take equity during the validation phase.
- How does the application process work for the Startup Co-Founder role?
- The application is immediate and AI-driven. It involves an 'Idea Baseline' AI conversation and a 'Founder Profile' situational assessment, followed by a webcam intro. Successful candidates then share customer conversations or working files.
- What are the different application tracks for this role?
- There are three tracks: Commercial (for market experts), Technical (for builders focused on efficient shipping), and Domain Expert (for individuals with unique industry access).
- Do I need an EU passport or Dutch visa for this role?
- Yes, an EU passport or a valid long-term Dutch visa is required for the on-site phase in Rotterdam, as the company will be incorporated in the Netherlands.