A home for early-stage founders in downtown Oakland, with mentors, legal and accounting help, pitch coaching and investor access, all in one building.
Apply
Applications are open, and we review them on a rolling basis.
By applying you agree to be contacted by the STAK team about the Residency and memberships.
Why we built this
Early-stage founders tend to work alone, bounce between coffee shops and spend months chasing the right intros. The STAK Founder in Residency program puts you in a building full of people doing the same hard thing, with mentors, expert help and investors right down the hall.
It's run by STAK Ventures on our 1900 Broadway campus, where workspace, events, community and capital come together.
What residents get
Guidance, expert help, a network and a stage, built on top of a real home base.
Get matched with operators and founders who've built companies before.
Get the foundations right before they get expensive.
Keep your books investor-ready from day one.
Sharpen your story until it lands in any room.
Warm intros and honest feedback through the STAK Ventures network.
A rhythm that keeps you shipping, not just networking.
Life at STAK
Pitch nights, founder meetups and conversations that turn into partnerships. This is the community you're joining.
How it works
Tell us what you're building, where you're based and what you need. Upload your deck.
Shortlisted founders tour the campus and meet Brian and the STAK Ventures team.
Become a STAK member, move into 1900 Broadway or bring your team into an office here.
Meet your mentor and plug into legal, accounting and pitch support.
Take the stage at the STAK Event Center in front of investors and partners.
Pitch night
Residents pitch on stage at the STAK Event Center to investors, partners and the Bay Area startup community.
Get your application in →How to join
The Residency is for founders who are part of the STAK campus. Pick the path that fits you, then apply.
Coworking with 24/7 access at 1920 Broadway and 1950 Franklin.
Dedicated desks and private offices for teams that need their own space on campus.
Apartments on the same campus, so your commute can be an elevator ride.
Who it's for
Whether you're at the idea stage, have a prototype or are raising your first round, there's a place for you.
You want to build in person, alongside other founders, and make the most of the program.
You're in the Bay Area, or ready to make downtown Oakland your home base.
Solo founders and small founding teams are both welcome.
The campus
The Residency runs out of STAK's 1900 Broadway campus, a short walk from 19th St BART.
Questions
Founders who are part of the STAK campus: STAK Space members, teams with an office here, and residents of 1900 Broadway. If you're not on campus yet, apply anyway and we'll help you find the right fit.
No. You keep 100% of your company.
It's an ongoing program, not a short sprint. You stay in the Residency for as long as you're building on campus, moving from foundations to building and selling to raising and pitching at your own pace.
Applications are open now, and we review them on a rolling basis. Get yours in early to be part of the first group of residents.
Residents get access to office hours with legal and accounting experts for early-stage questions like entity setup, founder agreements, contracts, bookkeeping, taxes and cap tables.
Yes. Message Brian Sparkes on LinkedIn or email bsparkes@behringco.com. You can also book a tour and get a free day pass to work from STAK that day.
Join the STAK Founder in Residency program in downtown Oakland.
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