swanbase program FAQ

No fixed duration. swanbase is a continuous program that runs long-term, all the way to your exit. You apply whenever you want, and you stay supported as long as you keep progressing.

Ambitious early-stage founders, building innovative and scalable projects, who want hands-on growth, marketing and acquisition support. Any sector.

Our criteria:

• a team of capable founders
• tackling a meaningful problem
• with serious ambition

La Piscine is the trial period that follows your acceptance. You enter the program under real conditions, judged on the traction you produce. If La Piscine is successful, you're supported long-term, until your exit. If it isn't, we part ways cleanly.

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

The process runs 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 founders, if your application is shortlisted.
3. Admission: fast reply. If accepted, immediate onboarding and entry into La Piscine.

0€ upfront. swanbase takes 2% of equity, conditional on validating La Piscine. If you clear it, we're aligned long-term, until your exit.

For the full deal details, see the Invest page.

Long-term support, 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, intros to VCs and customers, FOG (our AI marketing tool), the video library, free access to swanbase paid events, and an annual retreat.

No batch end, no "graduation". Once La Piscine is cleared, we're partners until your exit.

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

Hybrid: Paris + remote. You can follow the program fully remotely, or come to the in-person events whenever you want. In-person sessions are streamed on 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, it's to let you pick what serves your stage and keep moving.

Yes. swanbase is complementary to a classic incubator: we bring hands-on growth, marketing and acquisition expertise, where most incubators stop at framing and pitching. Every part of the program is optional, you take what helps.

No, you don't need to have incorporated your company to apply. However, if accepted, you'll need to incorporate a French SAS (and, if relevant, a parent SAS).

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