Founders House
SF Tech Week 2026
Last year we took a cohort of ambitious Scottish founders to San Francisco Tech Week, and now, we’re going back. We have been working hard behind the scenes, returning to SF multiple times to build our network and share our plans.
Applications are now open for Founders House SF Edition, and if you're a Scottish founder with serious US ambitions, this one's for you.
Founders House SF is a 10-day programme taking a hand-picked cohort to San Francisco during SF Tech Week in October. Not a study tour. Not a networking jolly. A semi-structured, high-access immersion into the world's most powerful startup ecosystem built to compress months of relationship-building into 10 days.
Here's what's included:
🛬 A genuine soft landing - logistics, desk space, connections, and infrastructure all handled so you arrive ready to perform, not find your feet
🎓 Pre-trip dinner with a leading expert on US market expansion - go in prepared, not wide-eyed
🤝 Bespoke sessions with our partner network, including Wilson Sonsini, Antler, JPMC, DBT and more
☕ Curated office hours with key industry experts while you're in market
🎉 Access to our SF Tech Week mixer - invite your own guests and own the room
💺 Free desk space for the full duration of the trip
✈️ Travel bursary available
🧭 A cohort of 10 non-competing founders. People who get it, going through it alongside you
We're deliberate about who gets a seat because the right cohort is half the value. If you're in the right place to make this count, don't wait.
Why come with us?
We know the market, we’ve spent extensive time there over the last 12 months, you get our experience and our support. We have the contacts, we can open doors and we can help you land quicker. No hands off, no figuring it out on your own.
Deadline is Friday 24th July
5pm
Founders House is made possible thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund and our corporate partners.
FAQs
Who is organising this trip?
It's being organised by Impact Rise Ventures, a collaboration between Victoria Ross and Barry McDonald
Is there funding available?
Travel bursaries of £1000, per company, are available towards the costs of flights and hotel bookings. Expenses are paid in arrears, post travel, upon receipt of invoices approximately 14 days after the end of the trip.
Who should apply?
You're a Scottish tech founder building something scalable. You have might already have traction, you might already be building in the US or you starting to explore that market. More importantly we care about your ambition and attitude more than your stage.
How long will it last?
San Francisco Tech Week runs from Oct 5th -11th and we anticipate being in market for 10 days from Oct 3rd to 14th to allow for sufficient time for follow ups. We expect all participants to attend the organised sessions on Oct 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, the rest is up to you to explore SF Tech Week and arrange your own meetings.
How many companies are going?
A maximum of 10 founders will be selected by a panel
Is Founders House an actual house?
No. Founders House is a virtual concept providing a landing pad for you and your business.
Is there a fee to participate?
Due to the support from the Ecosystem Fund and our partners there is no fee to participate in this programme.