Raise Ready Accelerator™

Apply to a
Startup Cohort

We work with a small group of founders at a time, and we are selective. If you are ready to compress your path to capital and build real investor relationships, here is how to get started.

Go to the Application Form

Format 8-Week Live Zoom Bootcamp

Cohort Size Small Group, High Attention

Stage Pre-Seed and Seed

Network DC Arch Angels and Beyond

“Our goal is simple: reduce the time it takes to obtain investment by 50% compared to going it alone. That starts with knowing exactly what investors need to see, and how to show it.”

How to Apply

Four Steps to Complete Your Application

The application is straightforward. Follow the steps below in order, then submit the form. We review every application and respond with an acceptance or non-acceptance decision.

01 Record a 3-Minute YouTube Video

Tell us who you are, what your company does, and what problem it solves

Explain how you know the problem is real, who your customers are, and what industry you are in

Share what the value of this program would be for you specifically

Set the video to Unlisted on YouTube and have the link ready to paste into the form

02 Complete the Application Form

Fill out all fields in the form linked below

Do not upload your pitch deck at this stage

Include your cell phone and WhatsApp number so we can reach you quickly

Accept all checkboxes and add your electronic signature at the bottom

03 Wait for Our Review

You will receive a confirmation when your application is successfully submitted

We review each application personally, not by algorithm

We will contact you with our acceptance or non-acceptance decision

04 Secure Your Place

If accepted, we send you a payment link for the initial program fee

This fee is non-refundable and guarantees your place in the cohort

It is one part of the total fee. We share the risk with you, and additional fees apply only when you raise funds

Our Criteria

Two Streams, One Standard: You Have to Be Ready to Work

We accept founders across two streams depending on your origin and stage. Both require a real business, real customers, and a genuine willingness to do the work of getting investor-ready.

Stream 1

Academic Spinouts

Own the IP, or hold an active license to it

Active in business for 6 months or more

Operating within, or actively entering, the US market

MVP or product already in the market

Some customers, even early ones

Grant funding or early sales (SBIR, STTR, NRC, or similar)

Management team in place, or actively building one

References available (we check them)

Stream 2

Startups at Pre-Seed or Seed

Early-stage founders preparing to raise their first or next round

A real problem, a real product or prototype, and early traction

Willing to do genuine customer discovery work during the program

Operating in one of our target sectors (see below)

Open to honest feedback on your business and your pitch

References available (we check them)

Sectors We Focus On

We Are Focused. That Is a Feature, Not a Limitation.

Our investor network and our coaching are built around specific sectors. We do not accept every application, and we do not pretend to add value in areas where we cannot. The lists below are honest and non-negotiable.

We Are Interested In

Target Sectors for Stream 2

Artificial Intelligence

SaaS and B2B (including B2C pivoting to B2B)

AgTech

EdTech

FinTech

HealthTech

Health and Wellness

Life Sciences: medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health

Sales, Workplace, and AI Productivity Tools

We Are Not Interested In

Sectors Outside Our Scope

Blockchain or Crypto

Cannabis

Military or Defense (selling to military clients is fine; building for defense is not)

Gambling or Pyramid Business Models

DeepTech or SpaceTech

Pornography or Illegal Activities

What Happens After You Apply

We Review Every Application Personally

You will not fall into a black hole. Here is exactly what to expect once you submit.

Confirmation sent immediately when your application is received

Randy and Randall review your video and application directly

We contact your references as part of the review process

You receive an acceptance or non-acceptance decision, not a vague "we'll be in touch"

If accepted, you receive a payment link to confirm your spot. Cohort sizes are small, and spots fill

Ready to Apply

The Application Takes
About 10-15 Minutes

Record your video, gather your information, and complete the form. If we are a fit, we will be in touch quickly.

Go to the Application Form Questions before applying? Reach out directly.
[email protected]  |  609-865-5219  |  Somerset, NJ

Raise Ready Accelerator ™ A program of CustomerDiscoveryPros.com  |  Startups  |  Nonprofits  |  Foundations  |  About  |  Contact
Randy Sha

Application Details

1. Record a YouTube video (3 minutes)

• about who you are, what is your company, what problem it is solving, how you know that, and who your customers are / industry segment, and what the value of this program would be for you. 
• Give the video a title, set it to unlisted, and have it ready to insert in the field requested.

2. Complete the Application Form BELOW - DO NOT UPLOAD YOUR DECK AT THIS POINT.

3. Share all relevant contact information including cell phone / WhatsApp.

4. Be sure to accept the checkboxes and add your signature (electronically) to the bottom.

You will receive a notification of a successful application. 

We will review it and get back to you indicating your acceptance / non-acceptance into our program.

If you are accepted, we will send you a link for the initial payment (non-refundable) fee to guarantee your place in the program.

​Note this is only one part of the fee. We share the risk with you - and additional fees are payable when you raise funds. 

Application Form for Startups

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Click here for the application form.