Who we look for
- What does "founder-market fit" actually mean?
- You know a market—you've been in it, you get the gap, you can speak about it without faking it. We can't teach that. The Manifesto goes deep on what we look for.
- Do you back venture-scale or hypergrowth startups?
- No. We back sustainable, founder-owned businesses. You own and operate; we provide infrastructure. No exit pressure, no requirement to raise multiple rounds. Manifesto (ch. VII) spells out what we don't back.
- What kind of ventures do you back?
- Sustainable businesses where the founder has real credibility and wants to own and operate long-term—premium services, expertise-productized offers, expert-led micro-SaaS, founder-brand businesses. Category varies; venture-scale and exit-driven models don't. Manifesto (ch. I & V).
- Do I need a finished idea?
- No. You need to know what market excites you and why you're the right person to own it. Problem, customer, solution—we figure out together. Manifesto (ch. IV) has how discovery and positioning work.
- Do I need a cofounder already, or can I apply solo?
- Either. Solo, we figure out if you need a cofounder and help with that. With someone already, we look at the partnership. No template.
- What if I've never run a business before?
- We build the thing; you run it as the front person. We need work ethic and real market sense. Business mechanics we handle. Manifesto (ch. V) on the founder we look for.
Partnership & decisions
- What equity do I get?
- 30–70% founder, depending on what we bring. Equity table in Manifesto ch. IV. You're the face; we own the build. Straight split.
- What do you actually provide?
- Positioning, product, operations—built, you run. You're the voice; we handle the rest. Manifesto (ch. III–IV) for detail.
- Who makes decisions? How does that actually work?
- You have final say on vision and market; we have final say on execution. Big stuff—pivots, fundraising—we decide together. Manifesto (ch. IV).
- What if we disagree on a major decision?
- We argue, look at the evidence, one of us calls it. You own vision and market; we own execution. Same as above; Manifesto (ch. IV).
- What happens if the partnership breaks down?
- Terms are clear upfront. If you want out, we talk buyout/equity for the stage. If we need to step back, same. If it's falling apart in year 1, fit was wrong. Discovery is there so we don't end up there.
- How long is the partnership? Can I exit?
- No forced timeline. We build until it's stable and scaled, or we agree to change (you raise, you want other investors, you want full control—whatever). Exit terms up front.
Discovery & build
- How do I apply?
- Tell us who you are, what market you care about, why you're positioned to own it, and what your work ethic looks like—real story, not buzzwords. Links to your work help. We want to see what you've actually done.
- What happens after I apply?
- We look within 7 days. If there's a fit, we set up a 30–45 min call with Andrei or Henry. It's a conversation, not a pitch; we see if we want to build together or not.
- What's discussed in the first call?
- You, what drives you, the market you're into, why you're the one to own it. We're checking fit—authenticity, grit, can you be coached. Manifesto (ch. V).
- What is the Discovery phase, exactly?
- 4–8 weeks before we commit. We meet 2–3× a week, sharpen problem/solution, see if we're aligned. No commitment yet. Manifesto (ch. IV) has the full timeline.
- What if we both agree to build after discovery?
- We go into build (timeline in Manifesto ch. IV). We build product, positioning, ops. You become the voice. 1:1s, weekly syncs.
- What's expected of me time-wise?
- Discovery ramps to full-time; build is full-time. Once it's running, you're the front person. Timeline per phase in Manifesto (ch. IV).
Capital & growth
- Can OQVA help with investment?
- Yes, when the venture needs it to launch. We don't make a drama of it; we figure what's right and go.
- Do I need to raise more capital after launch?
- Not always. Some ventures stay small and profitable; others raise later. If growth needs more capital, we talk it through. Nobody's forcing you to fundraise.
- What if someone wants to invest in our venture? Can they?
- Yes. If an investor shows up or we decide to raise, we talk. Dilution, cap table, trade-offs. We decide together.
- What happens if we want to sell the venture?
- Proceeds split by equity. Simple.
- Can OQVA sell the company without my consent?
- No. You're the cofounder. Exits, fundraising, big pivots—joint. Neither side can force an exit.
- What if the business fails?
- It happens. We both take the risk; you put in time and presence, we put in the build. No extra penalty for you; the equity just goes to zero. If you want to try something else, we can talk.
Logistics & team
- Who's involved in building?
- OQVA has designers and engineers. Andrei does brand, positioning, validation; Henry does technical build and automation. They're your partners.
- Where is OQVA based? Do I need to be local?
- Fully remote works. We work with founders wherever they are.
- What's the time commitment from Andrei and Henry?
- Discovery; we're in touch often enough to validate together—alignment matters more than hours. Build; heavy—multiple sessions a week plus async. Once you're running as the front person, we dial back to check-ins and support. We spell out each phase upfront.
- Can I reach out to OQVA mentors or advisors?
- Andrei and Henry are your main partners. Network intros and other advisors happen when they're useful, but they're not your day-to-day.
- What happens if I'm not accepted? How do I stay in the conversation?
- Keep building, stay visible, ping us when something changes. If we see progress and fit gets better, we might reach out. We'll also tell you why it wasn't right and what could change that.
- Still have questions?
- contact@oqva.digital or book a call.
