We’re looking for builders to join us in funding the future—on weekends. Apply here.
By Ryan Hoover
Builders—operators, founders, and people shaping the future—often have a prescient view of what's next. They see problems early, adopt new technologies quickly, and earn respect from fellow builders.
I started Weekend Fund over seven years ago while I was the CEO of Product Hunt. The name reflected my dual role in building and investing as I spent weekends meeting founders, exploring markets, and investing in promising startups.
Early on I was fortunate to invest in Deel, now a multi-billion dollar company and one of the fastest-growing startups in the last five years. But I wouldn’t have had the access or perspective to write a check if it weren’t for my role at Product Hunt.
I first connected with Alex, the CEO, through his launches on the site. When he reached out about Deel’s seed round, my experience building a globally distributed team at Product Hunt made the opportunity clear: I had the conviction that remote work would grow in adoption and that Deel was well-positioned to solve problems we encountered building a global team.
We're looking to partner with builders that can source the next Deel; founders and operators who do more than build the future – they fund it. Maybe what the smartest people fund on weekends is what everyone else will use during the week in a few years. (h/t)
Each Weekend Partner will get $1M to invest in early-stage startups, with a 50/50 GP carry split.
We’re looking for people that have:
If that sounds like you, apply here by October 25.
Why should I do this?
Although this is an opportunity to make money, we’re not looking to partner with people who are purely financially driven. You should apply if you get a thrill hunting for the next big thing and want to collaborate with a (very small) team in supporting founders shaping the future.
What is Weekend Fund anyway?
Weekend Fund is a venture firm led by Ryan Hoover and Vedika Jain (hi!). We’re backed by a strong network of 350+ operator and founder LPs and write $100K-300K checks into early-stage startups around the world across consumer and B2B.
Will I have full autonomy to invest the $1M into any startup?
Yes, if the company matches our investment focus, meets ownership targets, and does not conflict with an existing portfolio company.
Can I continue angel investing?
Absolutely. However, we are prioritizing those with a track record and prefer those who want to continue putting their own skin in the game.
If I don’t have an investment track record, can I still apply?
You absolutely may. Although transparently we’re prioritizing those with a track record. As with most crafts, we believe prior experience, even if minimal, will lead to better results.
Why are you doing this?
The obvious answer: To find high-performing startups that our LPs would be proud to be invested in. The less obvious answer: To add more perspective to the fund from builders that are on the ground floor, shaping the future.
How many Weekend Partners are you accepting?
Very few! This largely depends on who applies, but ideally, we’ll find two people to join us.
What happens after I invest $1M?
TBD! Ideally we can continue to work together if things are going well.
I invest full-time at a fund. Can I still participate?
We’re afraid not. This can get messy and we wouldn’t want to introduce any conflicts with other funds.
I have more questions! Where can I reach you?
Shoot us an email at team@weekend.fund. :)
