swanbase program FAQ

There's no fixed duration. swanbase is ongoing support that lasts over time, all the way to your exit. You apply whenever you want, and you stay supported for as long as you keep making progress.

For ambitious early-stage founders, working on innovative and scalable projects, who want highly hands-on growth, marketing and acquisition support. All sectors.

Our criteria:

• a team of capable founders
• tackling a relevant problem
• with a lot of ambition

The Pool is the trial period that follows your acceptance. You enter the program in real conditions, judged on the traction you generate. If the Pool goes well, you get long-term support, all the way to exit. If it doesn't, we part ways cleanly.

It's demanding and it's intentional: we commit with 2% equity on the line, so we want to make sure the ambition and the traction are there.

The process takes place in three steps :

1. Online application: 3 fields, 800 characters to describe the startup and introduce each founder.
2. Interview: 20 min video call with all the founders, if the application is shortlisted.
3. Admission: a quick answer. If accepted, immediate onboarding and entry into the Pool.

€0 to join. swanbase takes 2% equity, conditional on passing the Pool. If you make it through, we're aligned for the long term, all the way to your exit.

For the full details of the deal, see the Invest page.

Long-term support, lasting for as long as it's useful to you: unlimited 1:1 office hours with Vincent and Théo, a dedicated Head of Growth, conferences, workshops, masterclasses, VC and client intros, FOG (our AI marketing tool), a video library, free access to paid swanbase events, and an annual retreat.

No end of batch, no "graduation". Once the Pool is validated, we're partners all the way to exit.

There isn't one. No batch, no deadline. You apply when you're ready, we answer quickly, and you start as soon as you're admitted.

Hybrid: Paris + remote. You can follow the program entirely remotely, or come to the in-person events whenever you like. In-person sessions are streamed over video.

Everything is optional. Most founders spend 2 to 7 hours per week depending on their stage. The idea isn't to give you homework but to let you pick what serves your stage and move forward.

Yes. swanbase complements a traditional incubator : we bring highly hands-on growth, marketing and acquisition expertise, right where most incubators stop at scoping and pitching. Every part of the program is optional, so you take what helps you.

No, you don't need to have incorporated your company to apply. However, if you're accepted, you'll need to set up a SAS in France (and, if relevant, a SAS holding company).

Yes. The equity structure can adapt to your existing cap table. The base deal stays at a conditional 2%, and we calibrate it to your situation during the interview.