AltaLab Fall 2026 Batch

​A practical program led by Igor Ryabenkiy, a VC behind 10+ unicorns, including Deel, Miro, PandaDoc and others.

​Work one-on-one with Igor Ryabenkiy, and the AltaLab team to strengthen the fundamentals that drive long-term success.

​Learn how to focus your resources, align your team, sharpen your communication with customers and investors, and make better decisions.

​Applications close: September 4, 2026

​Who it is for:

1. ​Founders with an idea
   You have an idea, a problem you want to solve, or the conviction that something should exist.

2. ​Founders searching for product-market fit
   You've launched. There are pilots, first users, maybe first revenue — but you're not sure yet what's actually working.

3. ​Founders raising and scaling
   You have traction and you’re talking to investors — or about to. But growth has slowed, the story has drifted, or the team is pulling in different directions.

​How it works:

​Stage 1 - Online Sprint
In three weeks, learn the fundamentals of building a successful company in the AI era through practical sessions and daily work on your own startup.

Stage 2 - Founder Residency*
Selected teams continue into a hands-on residency with one-on-one support, workshops, masterclasses, and community events.

​Stage 3 - Build with AlltaLab
Work with the AltaLab team to strengthen your product, go-to-market strategy, fundraising readiness, and execution. Selected teams have a path to a $50K SAFE investment dedicated to GTM.

​or Scale with AltaIR Capital
Companies with strong traction can move directly into investment conversations with AltaIR Capital and can receive up to $500.000 in funding to accelerate their growth.

​*Participation at every stage starting from Founder Residency involves advisory options — full details in our FAQ below.

​About AltaIR Capital:

• ​$600M assets under management

• ​400+ companies backed

• ​10+ unicorns

• ​Top 1% among VC firms globally (Dealroom, 2026)

​The previous cohorts, at a glance:

• ​250+ teams successfully completed the Online Sprint

• ​30 teams were selected for Founder Residency

• ​💸 10 teams received investment offers

​🚨 To apply for the cohort, please visit our website: https://altalab.ai/apply

​Frequently Asked Questions:

1. ​Is the program online?
   Stage 1 is online. Founders who complete the Sprint may be invited into Founder Residency, which combines online and in-person work — bootcamps, Demo Days, and events across Europe and the United States. If invited, participants are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. ​Is the program free?
   The Online Sprint is free. Later stages involve advisory options. Founder Residency includes a 1% advisory option. If you're invited into deeper, longer-term support after Founder Residency, that involves an additional 2%.

3. ​How long does the Online Sprint last?
   The Online Sprint lasts three weeks, from September 7 to September 27.

4. ​Can my startup receive funding through AltaLab?
   Yes. During Stage 3, depending on your company's stage, progress, and investment readiness, you will be considered for one of two funding paths:
   
   • $50,000 through a SAFE investment to help validate and accelerate your go-to-market strategy.
   • Up to $500,000 in investment from AltaIR Capital for companies who are growing and are ready to scale.
   
   All investment decisions are made by AltaIR Capital's investment committee on a case-by-case basis.

5. ​Do I need a co-founder?
   No, solo founders and founding teams are equally welcome. Whether you build alone or with co-founders is your call, not a condition of the program.

6. ​Do I need traction?
   No, there's no traction requirement.

7. ​Can founders apply from anywhere?
   Yes. AltaLab is a global program. We look for founders building companies with the potential to scale globally and create impact beyond a single local market.

8. ​Can I apply if I'm not building in one of AltaIR Capital's focus areas?
   Yes. AltaLab is open to ambitious founders across industries. The methodology we teach applies regardless of what you're building.
   
   AltaIR Capital primarily invests in areas such as AI, Future of Work, FinTech, Productivity Tools, and Digital Health (see our investment focus at altair.vc). However, we are open to new opportunities. Even if your company isn't a fit for AltaIR Capital's investment strategy, you'll still benefit from the program. For founders who reach the later stages of AltaLab, we'll do our best to make warm introductions to investors who are a better match for your business.

9. ​Can I apply again if I've applied before?
   Yes. Companies may evolve significantly over a few months. We encourage founders to reapply if they have made meaningful progress or believe AltaLab is a better fit for them now.