At 25madison, we don’t play the traditional venture game. We’re a venture studio backed by Apollo Global Management, one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. That gives founders:

1. Accelerated GTM — Access to Apollo’s $600B+ ecosystem and our network of PE-backed strategics for customer intros, design partners, and early revenue.
2. Flexible Capital — From SaaS to tech-enabled rollups to software-enabled hardware, we tailor investment structures to match the business model.
3. Faster Outcomes — In this market, time to scale and exit matters. We help you get there faster than going solo.

You’ll get founder-level equity and a real salary — so you can go all-in without compromising the rest of your life.

We believe entrepreneurship is applied philosophy. A creative act. A test of character. If that resonates, you’ll thrive here.

The Role: Founder-in-Residence

You’re not joining a team — you’re leading one. As an Founder-in-Residence, you’ll be the founding CEO of a new venture, starting from insight and building something real, backed by capital, a full-stack team, and a studio designed to help you win.

We don’t scatter bets. We work for you. You’ll focus on what matters — discovery, prototyping, early revenue, team-building, and fundraising — while we handle the rest.

Why Founders Choose Us

• Unmatched GTM: We bring revenue to the table. Our network of strategics, PE dealmakers, and F500 execs delivers customer pull from day one.
• Speed + Risk Reduction: With 0→1 playbooks, modular codebases, and in-house support across engineering, GTM, finance, legal, ops, design, and more, you move faster with fewer unforced errors.
• Aligned Long-Term: We don’t just incubate. We stay in the trenches — writing follow-on checks, recruiting talent, and scaling with you beyond launch.
• Front-Door Access: Through our platform, you get access to F500 execs, tier-one VCs, PE dealmakers, ex-DoD officials, industrial CEOs, and more. We don’t pretend to know everything, but we can always get you in front of the right person.

What You’ll Do

• Find and Validate the Pain — Run discovery sprints with end-users and strategics to pinpoint acute, valuable problems.
  
• Prototype and Iterate — Translate insight into MVPs and pressure-test toward early proof points.
  
• Lead GTM — Close early customers and design partners with studio and Apollo/PE support.
  
• Fundraise — Craft the story and lead the raise, backed by our investor network.
• Build the Team — Recruit operators as the venture scales.
  

You Might Be a Fit If You...

• Think from first principles and move with urgency.
  
• Have built in B2B verticals like supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, or defense.
  
• Held senior roles (Founder, CPO, GM, CTO) or bring equivalent operating experience.
  
• Are fluent in AI, data infra, or simulation tech — or thrive alongside technical teams.
  
• Want to build a company with an unfair advantage on day one.
  

What You Get

• Salary: $125K–$200K base + significant founder equity.
  
• In-House Team: Engineering, design, ops, finance, legal, HR, GTM, and brand — all staffed and resourced.
  
• GTM Lift: Customer access and commercial pilots through Apollo/PE.
  
• Capital: Pre-Seed funding + long-term studio support.
  
• Speed: Go from insight to company in months, not years.
  
• Community: Join a cohort of world-class FIRs building at the frontier.

How to Apply

Apply with your background and a short note on:

• Why this is your moment to be an founder
  
• A market or problem you’re obsessed with
  

We’re ready when you are.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At 25madison, we aim to foster a workplace free from discrimination. We believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a better environment for our people and a better product for our clients. 25madison is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages all applicants from every background and life experience to apply.