Sandbox Founder Residency
Spend a semester building a startup then raising in SF
For college students who want to build a startup now, not after graduation. A full-time, for-credit semester: three months in the mountains of Utah, then one month in San Francisco.
Priority deadline: Nov 15, 2026
MAY–JUL
Build your company in the mountains of Utah
AUG
Raise in San Francisco
Sandbox founders have raised millions.
$14M+
Average valuation cap for backed Sandbox startups
22
Sandbox startups that have raised venture capital
7
Sandbox startups accepted to Y Combinator
“Thanks to Sandbox I found my co-founders and was able to focus 100% on building my startup. We got into YC W24 and raised a bunch of money.”
Santiago Gomez PazCo-founder, MadeThis“I met my co-founder, built a startup (which failed), and then raised $2.4 million in funding for a new startup.”
Blake RouseCo-founder, Buster“Now, when I would have been starting my first job, my company has 6-figure revenue, an 8-figure valuation, and I'm hiring employees to keep up with the demand.”
Brice DouglasCo-founder, ZaymoYour no-risk shot at a startup.
0
semesters lost
Earn a full semester of credit. We help you transfer it home.
0%
equity taken
Sandbox doesn't take any equity in your company.
$10K
max tuition
You pay $10,000 or your school's semester tuition, whichever is less.
Aid
based on need
Need-based scholarships available for every student.
| Drop out | Typical accelerator | Founder Residency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| College credit | No | No | Yes |
| Equity you give up | None | Usually 5 to 10% | None |
| Investor introductions | On your own | Yes | Yes |
| Mentorship and a cohort | No | Yes | Yes |
- College credit
Drop outNo
AcceleratorNo
ResidencyYes
- Equity you give up
Drop outNone
AcceleratorUsually 5 to 10%
ResidencyNone
- Investor introductions
Drop outOn your own
AcceleratorYes
ResidencyYes
- Mentorship and a cohort
Drop outNo
AcceleratorYes
ResidencyYes
What you get
Build in Utah, raise in San Francisco
Build full time, distraction free in the mountains of Utah from May to July. Then move to San Francisco for August to meet investors and raise your first round.
Shared workspace in Utah and San Francisco
Work alongside the rest of the cohort in both cities, where everyone around you is building full time.
Coaching through your first round
The deck, the meeting, the follow-up and the term sheet, with people who have raised before.
Mentors who've built and funded companies
Weekly feedback from founders and operators, not just people who studied startups.
A full semester of credit
Earn a full semester of credit, with help transferring it to your school.
Co-founder matching
Come solo or with a team. A cohort of serious founders is the best place to find a co-founder.
The Sandbox founder network, for life
Founders who have built and funded companies, a message away long after August.
Housing help in both cities
We help you find a place in Utah and in San Francisco, so logistics don't eat your focus.
Your price
- Scholarships
- Need-based scholarships available for every student.
- Not included
- Housing, travel and living costs.
Three months to build. One month to raise.
Build in the mountains
No traditional classes, no part-time job, no distractions. Just you, your team and the problem. Silicon Slopes built Qualtrics, Podium and Pluralsight, and mentors and alumni founders are nearby. Lower rent means more runway when you get to San Francisco.
Raise in San Francisco
With a product and early traction, you spend August where the largest early-stage investor network in tech lives. Investor meetings and coaching through every step of the round.
FAQ
Do I need a startup idea to apply?
No. Many founders arrive with an idea, and some find a better one in May. You do need to be ready to work on a company full time for the whole summer.
Can I apply with my co-founders?
Yes. Each person applies individually and names their team.
What if I don't have co-founders?
Solo applicants can find co-founders in the cohort during the first weeks.
Who can apply?
Current college students from any university in the country, in any major. You don't need to be a computer science student.
Can I do an internship at the same time?
No. The residency is full time from May through August, so there's no room for an internship. If you've already committed to one this summer, apply for a later cohort.
What if I graduate before the residency starts?
The Founder Residency is for current college students. If you'll have graduated by May, take a look at the Sandbox Fellowship.
Do I have to leave my university?
No. You stay enrolled at your school, and we help you transfer the credits you earn back to it.
Will my credits transfer?
You'll earn a full-time semester of credit. Each university sets its own transfer rules, so we work with you and your registrar before the program starts to see how the credits will count.
What if I don't care about earning the college credits?
You can do the Founder Residency and not earn college credits.
Does Sandbox take equity?
No. Sandbox takes no stake in any company built in the program.
Spend next semester building a company.
Three focused months to build, one month to raise, and a full semester of credit. You keep 100% of your company.