In this episode of Founders’ Backpack, Sophia and Daniel dive deep into the Neo Accelerator — a game-changing program for technical founders building bold, venture-scale startups. From an all-expenses-paid bootcamp in Oregon to $600K in funding on founder-friendly terms, Neo stands out as one of the most elite and supportive environments for early-stage teams in AI, fintech, SaaS, and deep tech. The hosts unpack the full experience — Microsoft and OpenAI credits, hands-on hiring support, world-class mentors, and access to top investors like Sequoia and a16z.

They also spotlight the man behind the mission: Ali Partovi. A legendary Silicon Valley operator and investor, Ali founded Neo to give technical founders the community and capital he wished he had early on. Learn how his vision, track record, and personal involvement are shaping a new wave of startup talent. Whether you’re a solo builder or leading a small team, this episode is packed with tips, takeaways, and tactical advice to help you get into Neo and level up your startup journey.

Useful Links:

How to Get Accepted to Neo Accelerator
Auth0 for Startups
Make for Startups