STARTUP LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Fellowship for first-time founders to become lifetime entrepreneurs.

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What is the Startup Leadership Program?

The Startup Leadership Program (SLP) NYC is a no-equity fellowship focused on developing early-stage entrepreneurs. Over 450 founders completed SLP NYC and have collectively raised over $1B.

We focus on the individual founder, rather than the company. Our approach is to offer community, curriculum, and mentorship to help new startup founders navigate their first steps of building a startup.

During our six-month curriculum, entrepreneurs learn the fundamentals of starting and growing a company from 0 to 1. We focus on preparing founders for their next stage, whether an Accelerator, Pre-Seed Funding, or Seed-Strapping.

The SLP curriculum is holistic, balancing technical aspects and core leadership principles required for innovation. The classes cover building a product, finding customers, growing a team, pitching investors, and many other technical and non-technical aspects of startup leadership.

$1B Raised

Over the past 15 years, SLP NYC founders have raised more than $1 billion to bring bold ideas to life. That capital didn’t just fund companies—it fueled careers, created jobs, and built lasting impact.

450+ Alumni

Our 450+ alumni span every sector and industry you can think of. Their suces is proof that startups don’t have to be lonely. They’ve launched products, closed rounds, joined accelerators, and grown as leaders—all while lifting each other up.

1K+ Startups

SLP is part of a global network of 3,000+ founders across 28 cities. It’s a lifelong community—where support, collaboration, and opportunity don’t end when the program does.

Skyline of New York City with reflection in water, logo of Startup Leadership, and text about applying for a no-equity fellowship program.

Proven end-to-end curriculum and expertise to kick-start your business

Our curriculum walks first-time founders through every stage of building a company—from shaping vision and validating ideas to raising capital and scaling teams. Each session is led by experienced entrepreneurs and designed to give you the practical tools, frameworks, and confidence to launch and grow.

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Our network

SLP is more than a program—it’s a global network of builders, dreamers, and doers who open doors, share hard-won lessons, and champion one another long after the fellowship ends.

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Meet our speakers

How it works

  • Line drawing of an armchair with curved arms and four legs, on a black background.

    We only ask for a small cost covering fee. The program is volunteer run and we are the only no-equity program of its kind.

  • Line drawing of a medicine bottle with a medical cross on the label, viewed from the front.

    The program runs from Jan - June, Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30pm on zoom or in NYC. Video presence and interactivity is required.

  • Line drawing of a target with an arrow hitting the bullseye.

    Our seasoned program leads provide real-time guidance and 1:1 coaching, paired with curated opportunities to connect and grow throughout the program.

  • Line drawing of three tennis balls on a tennis court, each ball positioned above a circular target on the ground, with lines connecting the balls to the targets.

    SLP is volunteer-run by experienced founders who’ve been through the journey themselves and are passionate about sharing their experiences.

See Our Curriculum

“Genius is persistence in disguise.”

  • Nihal Mehta, Co-Founder, Eniac Ventures & SLP NYC Alumni

Our community in action

A group of people attending a presentation in a conference room. A man is speaking into a microphone in front of a large screen displaying a slide titled 'SLP Fellow Handbook.' Others are seated, some with laptops, and a pregnant woman is sitting with her hands resting on her belly.
A conference room filled with people attending a presentation, with two large screens at the front, one displaying a woman speaking, and the other showing a man in a video call.
Group of people attending a presentation in a restaurant or cafe, with a woman standing and speaking to the audience, surrounded by tables with food and drinks.
A group of six people sitting and talking in a modern waiting area with a glass partition behind them, and a coffee station visible in the background.
Group of eight people standing on stage at a corporate event, with large screens displaying headshots and information behind them, in a high-rise office with city skyline view.
Two men are seated at the front of a conference room, one speaking into a microphone, while an audience of diverse people sit at a U-shaped table listening attentively.
Business meeting in a high-rise conference room with large windows showing a city and river view. Five people are seated around a long table with laptops and notebooks, and a presentation screen displays information about a team.
Two women are hugging each other tightly, one with her eyes closed smiling, at a social gathering. There are several people sitting at a table, clapping and smiling in the background.

Join us for the 2026 Cohort

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