Station F Founders Program2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Program at Station F in Paris, the world's biggest startup campus. Not a classic accelerator: it offers desks from €259 a month, community and partner perks.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- 3 intensive months
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Station F Founders Program
The Founders Program is the flagship in-house program of STATION F, the Paris startup campus opened in 2017 by French telecom entrepreneur Xavier Niel. STATION F houses more than 30 programs run by partners such as large companies and investors, but the Founders Program is run by the STATION F team itself, and the campus describes it as its most selective program. It was redesigned in 2022. The old version could hold up to 200 startups. The new one caps each batch at 25 companies and works as an acceleration program rather than a desk rental. Recent cohorts have been small and experienced. The Fall 2024 batch had 18 startups, and 10 of them were led by repeat founders. Startups pay for desks, starting at €259 per desk per month, and the program does not publish fixed equity terms. Since 2024, selected companies can also qualify for direct investment from STATION F, though funding is a chance rather than a guarantee. The main draw is access. Founders work on a campus with more than 700 investors and dozens of programs, get mentorship from experienced founders and operators, and get introductions to top VCs. The program runs in French or English. It suits early-stage tech teams that want to build in Paris with a strong European network.
What Station F Founders Program looks for
STATION F says the Founders Program is built for early-stage startups aiming to go fast and far. It emphasizes founder quality, and recent cohorts have leaned heavily toward repeat founders and AI companies. Teams must be working on a tech-enabled project and be full time on it. Product-market fit is not required, but a first product or MVP has historically been expected.
How the Station F Founders Program program works
The Founders Program starts with about three intensive months of programming, and teams can stay on campus for up to 18 months. When it was relaunched in 2022, the first six weeks were workshops and classes on topics such as building a team and reaching product-market fit, followed by six weeks of execution and a pitch. Each startup is matched with an experienced founder or operator as an advisor. The format is hybrid with a minimum on-site presence at STATION F in Paris. Founders get close access to the STATION F team, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs on campus, and fast-track introductions to VCs. Selected companies can receive direct investment from STATION F. Desks are charged from €259 per desk per month.
How to apply to Station F Founders Program
- 1Apply through the Founders Program page on stationf.co. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- 2Show a tech-enabled startup with a full-time team. STATION F has historically required at least a first MVP.
- 3The STATION F team screens applications. Recommendations from the tech ecosystem carry weight.
- 4Shortlisted teams meet the STATION F team before a final decision.
- 5If accepted, budget for desks from €259 per desk per month. Foreign founders can request an invitation letter for visa purposes.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Station F Founders Program vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station F Founders Program | No cash investment | Not published | STATION F, Paris, France | Rolling admissions |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | Pear targets about 7% own… | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
| Dreamit Ventures | Up to $1.5M | Not published | New York | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Not published | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
Station F Founders Program FAQ
When is the Station F Founders Program application deadline?+
Station F Founders Program reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
How much does the STATION F Founders Program cost?+
Desks start at €259 per desk per month, according to STATION F. The program does not publish fixed equity terms. Selected startups can qualify for direct investment from STATION F, but the campus describes this as a chance, not a guarantee.
How many startups join each Founders Program batch?+
Each batch is capped at 25 companies. Recent cohorts were smaller: the Fall 2024 batch had 18 startups, and 10 of them were founded by repeat entrepreneurs. Before the 2022 redesign, the program could host up to 200 startups. Small batches keep the program selective.
Is the Founders Program the same as F/ai?+
No. F/ai is a separate STATION F program for AI startups with its own fixed batches; one started on September 15, 2026. The Founders Program is the campus's general in-house program for early-stage tech startups, with rolling applications and a stay of 3 to 18 months.
Sources: stationf.co, stationf.co, techcrunch.com, hub.causo.ai, techcrunch.com