CEBOS Founder Cohort 2026

Every successful startup begins with a founder who decides to build.

The CEBOS Founder Cohort is an in-person event designed for founders, builders, startup teams, investors, mentors, and professionals who want to move from idea to execution, from product to customers, and from early traction to growth.

Whether you are validating an idea, building an MVP, preparing for launch, looking for customers, improving your go-to-market strategy, exploring grants or funding, or getting investor-ready, this event will help you gain practical clarity and meaningful connections.

Hosted by Founders Plaza and powered by CEBOS, this cohort brings together startup-minded people for an evening of learning, founder networking, guided discussion, product sharing, and business-building insights.

Participants will explore the founder journey from idea validation to launch, growth, fundraising, and investor readiness using the CEBOS Founder Journey Framework.

Dinner will be included, creating a relaxed opportunity to connect with other founders, builders, investors, mentors, and startup community leaders.

Learn more about the founder program here:
https://programs.cebos.io/founder-program

Event Details

Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT
Format: In-person only
Dinner: Included

Venue:
Caddo Office Reimagined – Frisco Westridge
12800 Westridge Blvd
Frisco, TX 75035
Conference Room #1

Featured Session

From Idea to Founder Success

Building a successful startup requires more than a great idea. Founders need to validate the problem, understand the customer, build the right first version, launch with confidence, attract early users, create a strong go-to-market strategy, and prepare for funding or growth.

During this interactive session, we will walk through the CEBOS Founder Journey Framework:

Idea & Validation
Validate your idea, understand the problem, define your customer, and identify market opportunity.

Build & Setup
Move from concept to product with the right structure, tools, team, and execution plan.

Launch & Grow
Prepare for product launch, early users, customer acquisition, marketing, and growth.

Fundraise & Connect
Understand grants, funding options, investor readiness, pitch preparation, and founder networking.

Scale & Operate
Strengthen operations, business models, partnerships, and long-term growth strategy.

Hands-On Founder Lab

Participants will have an opportunity to use CEBOS to:

Validate a startup idea or existing product

Identify target customers and market opportunities

Review business readiness and next steps

Explore product launch planning

Improve go-to-market and marketing strategy

Prepare for grants, funding, and investor conversations

Build a practical roadmap for growth

Selected founders may also get the opportunity to briefly introduce their idea, product, or startup during the Founder Stage.

One outstanding submission will be recognized as the Top Idea Winner.

Who Should Attend

This event is designed for:

Startup founders at any stage

Builders and product creators

AI builders and developers

First-time entrepreneurs

Students interested in startups and innovation

Professionals planning to start a business

Early-stage startup teams

Product managers, designers, and marketers

Small business owners exploring innovation and growth

Angel investors, VCs, and funding partners

Startup mentors, advisors, and ecosystem leaders

Anyone interested in building, launching, or scaling a startup

What You’ll Gain

By attending, you will gain:

A practical roadmap from idea to startup execution

Hands-on startup validation using CEBOS

Better clarity on your customer, market, and product positioning

Guidance on launch, marketing, grants, fundraising, and investor readiness

Meaningful networking with founders, builders, investors, mentors, and community leaders

Opportunity to share your startup or idea during the Founder Stage

Chance to be recognized as the Top Idea Winner

Continued access to the CEBOS Founder Cohort community and future founder programs

Agenda

5:30 PM – Doors Open, Check-in, Dinner & Networking
Meet founders, builders, investors, and community members.

6:00 PM – Welcome & Introductions
Overview of Founders Plaza, CEBOS, and the purpose of the Founder Cohort.

6:15 PM – From Idea to Founder Success
Walkthrough of the CEBOS Founder Journey Framework: idea, validation, build, launch, growth, funding, and scale.

6:45 PM – CEBOS Founder Readiness Lab
Participants will validate their idea or product, review target customers, explore market opportunity, and define next steps using CEBOS.

7:30 PM – Founder Stage: Idea & Product Sharing
Selected founders will briefly introduce their startup, product, or idea and share what support they need next.

8:00 PM – Top Idea Winner & Next Steps
Recognition of the Top Idea Winner, founder program opportunities, and next steps for continued support.

8:15 PM – Event Close & Open Networking
Continue conversations with founders, builders, investors, and mentors.

Hosted By

Founders Plaza

Powered By

CEBOS

Learn more: https://programs.cebos.io/founder-program