For now, we are only able to support startups that are based in the US. However, we are in the process of working with EU, UK and Canadian companies.
We generally avoid consumer-facing or advertising driven companies, two-sided marketplaces, social networks and network-effect businesses, unless the founder has a proven track-record growing such businesses profitably. We prefer startups that have unit economics such that each additional user is incrementally profitable at any scale.
We review and respond to initial applications within a couple weeks.
We have 3 programs:
Idea stage: 3% equity
Discover stage: 6% equity
Build stage: 20% equity
Startups have the ability to go through multiple programs, with MassLight taking equity for each program.
We work with startups from very early idea stage to post-seed. If you need a technical team, please reach out.
Idea to post-seed. We are typically the lead investor, but it's not a requirement.
No. We devote ourselves full-time to each startup and we expect founders to do the same.
Our primary focus is partnering with full time, non-technical co-founders who have deep domain experience in a vertical market.
We look for founders who can use their industry contacts and experience for client acquisition, sales, and marketing. We are especially interested in founders in highly regulated markets or verticals that require specialized knowledge.
Yes. If you've applied before and not gotten in, we encourage you to reapply if you’ve made progress since your last application.
Like most investors, we are unable to sign an NDA. We speak to many startups, often direct and indirect competitors, and do our best to keep confidential information appropriately siloed.
We are only able to accept a small fraction of the companies that apply. We tend to make that decision fairly quickly, usually no more than a month, often sooner. If you submit your application on time, and your application is approved we'd start work during the next cycle.
The volume of build-for-equity applications is so large that we can’t comment on your application individually, but we only work with startups when think our team will add value. We often decline startups we think will succeed because we aren’t confident in our own ability to help.
We review each and every application. While we can’t work with everyone, and we can’t comment on specific applications, we will always let you know either way.
Only to the extent that we may have run out of space in a cycle. To ensure this doesn’t happen, best to submit by deadline, but we understand it’s not always possible.
We review late applications like any other application. Late applications aren’t vetted differently, but there may not be space left.
There are no fees. We invest engineers, cash and mentorship in startups in exchange for an equity stake.
We are only able to accept a small fraction of the companies that apply. We tend to make that decision fairly quickly, usually no more than a month, often sooner. If you submit your application on time, and your application is approved we'd start work during the next cycle.
