​IB Founder Bootcamp: Pre-Incubator & GTM Challenge (Fall 2026)

​Ready to turn your idea into a venture-backed startup? Join us for an intensive 2-day hands-on sprint designed to help early-stage founders validate ideas, build modern AI stacks, and prepare for rapid customer acquisition and fundraising.

​At the end of the bootcamp, founders will compete in The Innovate Bay $1,000 Showdown, where one winning startup will be awarded a $1,000 Go-to-Market (GTM) budget to accelerate customer growth.

​🗓️ Event Agenda

​Day 1: Ideation, Build & Customer Validation

• ​09:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Kickoff & Problem Lock (Interactive Circle)

• ​09:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Sprint 1: Cold Validation & Outreach (Action Sprint)

• ​11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Masterclass: Modern AI Build Stacks (Workshop)

• ​12:00 PM – 01:00 PM | Working Lunch: Smoke & Mirror MVPs (Fireside Chat) — Lunch provided

• ​01:00 PM – 04:00 PM | Sprint 2: Deep Build Sprint & Office Hours (Uninterrupted Coding / Parallel Office Hours)

• ​04:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Day 1 Close: Live User Hot Seat & Overnight Strategy (Peer Tear-Down & Strategy)

​Day 2: Distribution, Pitch & $1,000 Showdown

• ​09:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Morning Data & Response Debrief (Open Forum)

• ​09:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Masterclass: Distribution & Unit Economics (Presentation & Workshop)

• ​10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Sprint 3: Pitch Engine & Deck Polish (Build Sprint)

• ​12:30 PM – 01:15 PM | Working Lunch: What Pre-Revenue Investors Look For (Fireside Chat) — Lunch provided

• ​01:15 PM – 02:15 PM | Rapid-Fire Pitch Practice & Peer Reviews (Peer Rotation)

• ​02:15 PM – 04:30 PM | The Innovate Bay $1,000 Showdown (Pitch Competition)

• ​04:30 PM – 05:00 PM | Winner Announcement & Closing Ceremony (Ceremony)

​💡 What You'll Walk Away With

• ​Real validation data and user feedback from rapid cold outreach.

• ​A working MVP using modern AI tools.

• ​Clear unit economics, a polished deck, and pitch feedback from peers and investors.

• ​A chance to win a $1,000 GTM budget to get your first few customers