TAILORU Seed Apprenticeship Program
 

The waitlist is open.

SEED matches early-stage startups with product design teams to ship MVPs and get seed funding faster.

The waitlist isn’t a commitment. All you'll get is an awesome connection and updates from us!

Choose your own adventure. Are you a…

 
 
 


Startup Benefits

 

Early and first-time founders spend a lot of precious time, money, and frustration building the first products. We know, we've been there! And during those times, we wished there was someone we trust to help us figure out how to test our market with a minimum viable product. Our purpose with this program is to help you build the right product, the first time around so you can take the product to do an actual market test or to fundraise.

Still have questions? Head down to our FAQ.

Each team includes…

1 humanity-driven startup

1 team

3 designers

4 weeks

Competitive budget based on feature requirements (we’re working out the finer details)

1 tested digital prototype ready for market pilot or fundraising

 

  • Get a prototype for fundraising

    Investors get excited by seeing a working prototype. Better yet, they get excited when there are customer insights and reviews on your ideas. The SEED program will help you get ideas onto paper or improve your current product to test in market and get that next round of funding.

  • A fully vetted design and research team at your disposal

    Our SEED program will match 2 to 3 emerging designers and a senior project manager/mentor on each collaboration with you and your startup. This team makeup allows for a diverse set of skills and collaboration for all of the product’s early needs.

  • Expect quality output with design mentorship

    We will match each design team with a more senior member of the Collective, ensuring that the process follows best-in-class outputs, process, and timeline.

  • Have trust in a research-driven design process

    Not all design processes are created equally. The TAILORU Collective process is rooted in user research insights, testing, and analytical structure. This is the same proven process that we will use for the SEED program to create a product that your customers will want.

  • Know the cost of design before heading into the project

    Our experienced senior designers have 10+ years of experience working with humanity-driven startups. They will be able to scope the project cost based on your idea and feature requirements ahead of time while keeping in mind our limited cost based on your idea and features (we’re working out the finer details) so that you can go into the project with confidence and no hidden costs.

  • Why seed funding as a target?

    Products will change as you test your ideas in the market. They usually evolve up until the Seed round of funding. Our process and talents through the SEED program will help you get to this stage faster and with less waste.

Process: How the 4 weeks will go

  • Week 1: Research

    Understanding the founder’s vision and user’s requirements to come up with a list of confirmed hypotheses and features for the MVP prototype.

  • Week 2: Prototype

    Rapid design and clickable prototype allows us all to align on the product and to make the user’s paths come to life.

  • Week 3: Testing

    Nothing matters if our users can’t use our product. In this phase, we test out our hypotheses in week 1 with real users on the prototype.

  • Week 4: Revisions & Hand-offs

    With all of our learnings from user testing, we will revise the prototype and share back with you a clickable prototype that you can either use for market test or for fundraising.


Designer Benefits

 

Emerging designers such as yourself have so much to offer. But with a competitive market, where to even focus? With Seed, you will work alongside impact-driven startups in a structured project, supported by a diverse community with senior mentorship from the TAILORU Collective.

Still have questions? Head down to our FAQ.

  • Work in a humanity-driven, client-facing project

    Whether you are a researcher or designer, put your passion and talents into supporting our humanity-driven startups to help them launch an MVP into the market.

  • Be paid

    We believe that compensation allows us to do better work with greater accountability and drive. Our startups in the SEED programs are humanity-driven startups. We share the belief in equal pay and access to opportunities. This is why the SEED program will be a competitive paid program.

  • Be a part of a team and a community

    If you’ve been freelancing for. awhile, you know how lonely it can be to only work for yourself. With the Seed program, you’ll be matched with 1 - 2 other designers as well as working closely with your startup client. Our community at the TAILORU Collective will also be there to support you.

  • Build your portfolio and experience

    Continue to build your portfolio, professional profile, and design network.


Mentor Benefits

 

If giving back and growing a team is part of your DNA, then you've found a home. SEED is a program where hard research and design skills are complemented by mad management skills: in client, team, and project. Come and be part of a diverse team that is making an impact on our world.

Still have questions? Head down to our FAQ.

  • Work on a humanity-driven project

    Tired of working on meaningless products that no one needs? Come over to the SEED program to partner with startups and designers who are passionate about making products that matter.

  • Be paid

    We believe that compensation allows us to do better work with greater accountability and drive. Our startups in the SEED programs are humanity-driven startups. We share the belief in equal pay and access to opportunities. This is why the SEED program will be a competitive paid program. Even more so because you’re bringing a wealth of experience.

  • Lead a team and manage your own project

    If you’re interested in the mentorship side of Seed, chances are you are really strong in your Research and Design expertise. Here’s a chance for you to make good use of your project management and team management skills.

FAQs

 

When is the SEED program happening?

We are doing a lot of research to figure out how to best structure the program for both startups and designers (+1 for a research-driven process!) Our tentative timeline is for December 2021. This is why we’re collecting interests on a waitlist.

Why should I pay to participate as a startup?

We believe that a payment, no matter how small, is great for accountability and expectation. Our designers’ teams are meticulously vetted. They are excited to be a part of your team and to contribute to your humanity-driven startup. However, it’s important that they will also get a fair payment for their efforts. 70% of your payment will go straight to the designers and mentors, while 30% helps us to provide program supports, trainings, and community building.

What does it mean to be a part of the waitlist?

A waitlist allows us to know who’s interested in exploring this program. It is a low commitment way to keep in touch. We will only be able to launch with a limited number of teams and startups so get in early while you can.

What should I expect to get out of the program?

Our goal is to foster collaboration between startups and designers based on value alignment. Our initial thinking is to run a structured 4-weeks program that will produce a fully tested prototype that the startup can take to market for testing and for fundraising. The final details of the program will be available during the enrollment period. All participants will have a chance to review the commitment before signing up.

 

Image by Dan Cristian Padure, Ian Schneider, Nadir sYzYgY, Mapbox, Annie Spratt, Sandra Seitamaa, Ewan Buck. All program terms and descriptions are currently in development and are subject to change.