Why we exist
AI has collapsed the cost to build, so a solo founder with a unique superpower can now go further, faster, than a bloated early team. Yet founders are still pushed to find a cofounder before they raise, so many commit to a partnership before they really know what they need.
Odyssey backs solo founders at the idea stage. We help you sharpen your thesis, gain early conviction and recruit a purpose-built founding team before you raise a large seed round.
What you get
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$500K investment
Clean terms with no negative signaling risk for future investors.
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Sharpen your thesis
A thought partner to help you navigate the idea maze and validate a venture-scale thesis worth your time.
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Cofounder recruiting
Hands-on help recruiting world-class cofounders, with our playbook from 10+ years of executive search.
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GTM advisory
Founder-led sales coaching, templates and tools to help close early design partners.
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$500K+ in partner credits
Tools and discounts from Google, AWS, DigitalOcean and many more.
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Unlock downstream capital
Access to 500+ top institutional firms and strategics, relationships we’ve cultivated over the past decade.
The terms
Odyssey is an alternative to startup programs, incubators and angel rounds, built for the solo founder. We invest $500K for 12% equity on clean, straightforward terms that set you up for long-term success. We designed the model to give a solo founder the best ownership after the seed, well above an equal cofounder split.
The Odyssey path
- You88%
- Odyssey12%
- You50–58%
- Odyssey10%
- Cofounder12–20%
- Seed investor20%
The conventional path
- You50%
- Cofounder50%
- You40%
- Cofounder40%
- Seed investor20%
Illustrative, not a cap table. Assumes we recruit a cofounder with a 15–25% equity grant and both paths raise a 20% seed; the option pool is left out, as it’s the same drag on both paths.
Is this for you?
Who we back
Industry operators and executives
To re-build their industry from first principles.
Academic researchers and PhDs
To amplify the impact of their research.
Audacious, AI-native first-time founders
To approach a problem with an outsider perspective.
What we look for
A unique superpower
Deep domain expertise or contrarian insight.
Relentless velocity
Ready to lock in for the next decade, with extreme urgency.
Magnetic visionary
Wins over customers and exceptional talent.
Questions
Can I apply with a team?
Odyssey is for individuals only. CoFound also leads and co-invests in pre-seed and seed teams, so reach out directly if you want to pitch.
Do I need an idea already?
Not a fully baked one, but we prefer founders with strong conviction about what they want to work on. If accepted, we’ll sharpen and evaluate the opportunities together.
Can you invest more than $500K?
If your idea needs a larger raise, we’re open to adding co-investors and angels to the round. Or pitch us a standard pre-seed instead.
Can I apply while employed or in academia?
Yes, please do! Odyssey was built to solve the chicken-and-egg problem for founders ready to lock in. Applications stay confidential and we run no backchannel references without your permission. If funded, we do expect you to go full-time.
Testimonials
CoFound backed me at the very beginning of Novellia and introduced me to my co-founder, Eli, two things I’ll always be grateful for. They’ve been a 24/7 investor and friend ever since, a team I can call and be completely honest with about building this company. Beyond their network and willingness to connect you with people who will change the trajectory of your life and company, CoFound’s greatest superpower is their ability to think big and dream alongside their founders. A lot of investors are, by nature, skeptics and healthy cynics, but CoFound is a partner you can turn to who will expand your vision and ambition and push you to think, “Well, why not?” Simply put, and with no exaggeration here, Novellia would not exist without CoFound.
Shashi Shankar · Founder & CEO, Novellia
CoFound has been nothing short of instrumental in helping me get my company off the ground. From hiring to GTM to overall company strategy, they have been a true partner every step of the way. Specifically, the level of engagement and availability from the whole team has been beyond anything I expected in an investor. Choosing CoFound as one of my first investors was the best decision I’ve made. They are truly the definition of “founder friendly”.
Wayne Yuan · Founder & CEO, Kinetic Trials
Application process
Apply in a minute
Confidential. No backchannels without your permission.
Response within a week
If we think it could be a fit, we’ll invite you to complete a full application.
First call
A 30-minute Zoom to get to know you, then a decision within 2 weeks.