Investor-Ready Confidence in 6 Days.
Over six intensive days, you’ll transform an early-stage idea into a venture that’s primed for market launch.
You’ll develop and test your concept with real users, iterate on your product, refine your go-to-market strategy, and solidify the numbers behind your business model—so when you step away from Camp 385, you’re not just leaving with theory or plans, but with tangible progress and a clear, data-backed pitch that resonates with investors.
What is Camp 385
Camp 385 is a 6 day immersive experience designed to give you what founders need most at the start: clarity, credibility, and momentum.
By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for launch, an investor-ready pitch, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re building something the market actually wants.
Proven Pre-Accelerator Framework
We’ve condensed the key components of an accelerator into a fast, effective 6 day format.
Perfect Your Pitch:
Build and practice your investor deck with guidance from experienced mentors.
Community of Wingmen
Surround yourself with ambitious, like-minded peers eager to build and grow together.
Fast-forwarding your startup’s early-stage evolution
Trying to validate your idea and find collaborators, you’ll do it all in one focused, immersive week. You get structured mentorship from people who’ve done this before, hands-on testing with real customers, and immediate feedback that helps you avoid common pitfalls. You’ll tap into a community of like-minded first-time founders—your “wingmen”—who help you think bigger, move faster, and push your venture forward.
Who should apply:
Idea-Phase Entrepreneurs exploring their first business concept.
First-Time Founders who need a roadmap to avoid common pitfalls.
Rebounding Innovators ready to turn lessons from past ventures failures into success.
Visionaries seeking to pitch their concepts to investors.
Startups launched from Camp 2030
76
Total direct impact hours
27k+
Entrepreneurs supported
377
78
Innovation opportunities identified
Echo Lake | New York
The Perfect Backdrop for Big Ideas
Camp 385 is hosted on the serene shores of Echo Lake in Upstate New York, an ideal setting for focus and productivity. Far from the distractions of daily life, this tranquil environment fosters creativity, deep work, and meaningful connections with fellow founders.
Surrounded by natural beauty, you’ll have the space to step back, think clearly, and immerse yourself in refining your business idea. Whether brainstorming during a workshop or unwinding at cocktail hour by the water, the peaceful ambiance of Echo Lake provides the perfect backdrop for clarity and breakthroughs.
Here, the noise of the city fades, leaving room for your vision to take center stage. At Camp 385, great ideas aren’t just imagined—they’re built.
What’s Included:
Expert-led workshops on idea validation and pitch development
Transportation from NYC
Semi-private cabin accommodations
All meals, including cocktail hour socials
Activities like morning yoga and outdoor excursions
Program Breakdown
Pre-Camp Prep
Before camp begins, you'll dive into curated resources and connect with your cohort to hit the ground running.
Receive a comprehensive info pack to prepare for success.
Participate in pre-camp group implementation calls.
Begin laying the groundwork for your entrepreneurial journey.
Validate & Refine
Turn your ideas into actionable strategies with rigorous validation and discovery activities.
Validate your idea with real-world feedback.
Refine your problem statement for clarity and impact.
Validate your hypothesis through targeted experiments.
Conduct in-depth customer discovery to understand your audience.
Apply & Get Accepted
Getting to camp starts with taking the first step: applying. In just 2-4 weeks, you'll know if you're part of the next great cohort of founders.
Submit your application to join an elite group of innovators.
Receive personalized feedback and guidance during the acceptance process.
Join a network of ambitious first-time founders.
The Camp Experience
Camp is where ideas ignite and founders collaborate to grow fast. You'll work hard, play hard, and build lasting connections.
Engage with your fellow cohort founders in dynamic sessions.
Collaborate to develop and refine ideas.
Access shared resources designed to accelerate growth.
Enjoy dedicated time to both work and recharge.
Pitch to win
End camp on a high note by perfecting your pitch and gaining the confidence to share your vision with the world.
Refine your pitch for maximum impact.
Learn the soft skills needed to pitch with confidence.
Practice in a safe, supportive environment with your cohort.
Pitch to Real Investors in NYC
Camp 385 culminates in an exclusive pitch event in the heart of New York City. Here’s your chance to present your validated idea to a room full of active investors ready to invest in the next big thing.
These investors aren’t just listening—they’re ready to act. With real wallets in the room, you’ll have the opportunity to make meaningful connections and potentially secure the funding you need to take your idea to the next level.
Being invited to pitch at this event is an honor reserved for select participants who demonstrate exceptional readiness and potential throughout the program. It’s more than a pitch—it’s your moment to shine on a platform designed to open doors to your future.
Are you ready to stand in front of decision-makers who could change the trajectory of your business? It starts here.
FAQ
What is a pre-accelerator?
A pre-accelerator is designed to help early-stage founders validate their business ideas and prepare for the next steps, including pitching investors or joining a full accelerator program.
How competitive is the application process?
Spots are limited to ensure a high-impact experience. Apply early for your best chance of acceptance.
When is the deadline to apply?
Each program has a different application deadline. Please check our Dates & Deadlines page to ensure that you can apply for the program you want. Please note, we review applications on a rolling basis, and highly encourage applying early to ensure a spot.
What’s the investor pitch opportunity?
At the end of the program, selected participants will pitch their ideas to real investors in NYC. While not guaranteed, this is a unique chance to secure early-stage funding or build key relationships.
Can you waive my program Fee?
No, we cannot waive program fees, so please don’t ask. Fundraising is an important part of entrepreneurship, and program fees show us that you’re serious about starting a social business. We encourage applicants to have a funding plan in place before applying.
Do I need an existing business?
No! If you have a strong idea and are ready to put in the work, Camp 385 is for you.
I have a business partner… can they come
Camp 385 is designed for solo-founders with a great idea and a white hot desire to bring that idea to reality. If you have a co-founder, you’re welcome to come but you’ll be split up and asked to work independently for the duration of camp.
Excited to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey and build the solutions of tomorrow?