The era of doing everything yourself is over.
Launch your venture capital fund through Start Lab Cohort 2, where AI handles the operational complexity so you can focus on what matters: closing LPs and building your portfolio.
Every session is built around action. Every tool is powered by AI. Every sprint moves you closer to closing your first venture fund—before the year ends.
Close Faster Than Ever
We are excited to announce Start Lab Cohort 2, the accelerator program designed for aspiring fund managers who want to close their first fund before 2025 ends.
The window is now.
Our data shows the final two weeks of December are among the most active for fundraising. LPs are closing out their year. Capital is moving. And managers who act now will start 2026 with a live fund and real momentum.
The traditional path to launching a venture fund required months of preparation, expensive consultants, and countless hours on tasks that AI can now handle in minutes. Start Funds fix this.
Start Lab Cohort 2 combines our action-first methodology with our industry-changing Start Funds:
→ Launch a fully functional VC fund in less than one business day
→ $0 upfront costs to get started
→ Minimum fund size of just $150K (vs. $5M+ for traditional structures)
→ Accept LP investments as small as $10K
→ All compliance, legal, tax, and fund admin handled for you
→ Free access to Decile Hub, the leading software to run your fund
→ Build a real, portable track record that counts toward your firm AUM
→ Start closing LPs and investing immediately
Our AI-powered tools meet you exactly where you are, whether you're refining your thesis, building fund projections, preparing your pitch, or designing your deck.
If you've been waiting for the right time to launch, this is it.
We're Here to Help You Close by Year End
This isn't just a program. It's a sprint to your first close.
If you join Cohort 2 now, you can realistically close your fund before December 31, 2025.
Here's why that matters:
→ 2025 Vintage: Your fund starts with a full calendar year head start
→ Momentum into 2026: Begin the new year with a live fund, not a plan
→ LP Psychology: Many LPs want to deploy capital before year-end for tax and reporting purposes
→ Competitive Advantage: While others are "planning to launch someday," you're already operating
Our team is here through the holidays to help you close. We're not taking time off. We're helping managers finish strong.
Cohort 2 Enhancements
Cohort 2 Enhancements
First, we doubled down on AI to meet Investment Managers where they are. Our AI Toolkits in Decile Hub now guide you through every critical task: creating a compelling fund thesis, preparing to pitch Confidants, building fund projections, and designing your pitch deck. These aren't generic tools; they're intelligent systems that adapt to your specific situation and accelerate your progress at every step.
Next, we restructured every session around action. Cohort 2 introduces a new two-session weekly format designed to eliminate passive learning. The first session combines 30 minutes of focused teaching with 20 minutes of hands-on workshops where you immediately apply what you learned. The second session is pure execution—AMAs and co-working time to complete real tasks like perfecting your pitch script, handling objections, and following up with prospects.
Finally, we're showcasing successful Investment Managers through our 506(c) marketplace, events, and media channels. For the first time, Start Fund managers can be publicly featured across Decile Group's platforms, giving you visibility to potential LPs that was previously impossible for investment managers to access. This is a game-changer: while traditional funds operate in the shadows until they hit scale, our 506(c) managers can build public profiles, attract inbound LP interest, and leverage Decile Group's audience of venture professionals.
We are here to help you close faster than ever
Action-First Session Structure
Every minute of Cohort 2 is designed around doing, not just learning.
→ Teach, Ask, Do Sessions: We're shifting to a teach-ask-do format. Each session now blends focused teaching with immediate execution. You'll learn a key concept—like thesis development, deck building, or LP pitching—and then apply it on the spot through guided exercises. No passive learning. Every meeting ends with something tangible you can use that same day.
→ Working Sessions: Pure execution time with AMA support as cohort members co-work on high-impact tasks. Workshop your pitch script, practice objection handling, refine your follow-up sequences, and get real-time feedback from mentors and peers. Leave every session with completed work, not just notes.
→ Async Sprint-Based Assignments: Five focused sprints designed to get you taking the correct actions at the correct time. Each sprint builds directly toward your first close with clear milestones and accountability checkpoints. -
506(c) Marketplace
Our 506(c) fund managers can build public profiles and attract LP interest through Decile Group's platforms.
→ 506(c) Marketplace: Successful Start Fund managers are featured on our Decile Fund Finder, making your fund discoverable to accredited investors actively looking for opportunities. While other first-time managers operate in obscurity, you're visible to thousands of potential LPs.
→ Event Spotlight Sessions: Get featured in Decile Group events where you present your thesis directly to potential LPs in our network.
→ Media Channel Promotion: Successful managers are showcased across our LinkedIn, newsletter, and content channels—amplifying your visibility to our community of venture professionals. Your fund story reaches LPs you could never access on your own.
AI-Powered Execution Tools
Our AI Toolkits allow us to meet Investment Managers where they are—whether you're just forming your thesis or ready to pitch LPs tomorrow.
→ AI Thesis Generator: Transform vague investment ideas into compelling, data-driven one-sentence thesis statements that resonate with LPs. The AI refines your thinking, identifies gaps, and helps you articulate your edge in 37 words or less.
→ Confidant Pitch Preparation: AI-guided scripts and frameworks for approaching your network, handling objections, and converting conversations into commitments. Practice your pitch with AI before you pick up the phone.
→ Fund Projections Toolkit: Generate professional fund models and projections that demonstrate credibility to prospective LPs. Input your assumptions and let AI build institutional-quality financial models.
→ Pitch Deck Builder: Create institutional-quality pitch materials using AI-powered templates refined from hundreds of successful fund launches. Your deck looks like it came from a fund ten times your size.
→ Full Decile Hub Access: Your AI-powered command center for managing LP relationships, tracking PACTs, automating follow-up sequences, and accessing community deal flow. Everything you need to run your fund, from day one.
Core Program Features
Launch a fully operational, institutional-grade fund in a single day with zero upfront costs. Begin raising capital immediately while legal and operational infrastructure is built in parallel. No more waiting 6-18 months before you can start.
→ PACT System: Secure non-binding Preliminary Agreements to Commit Terms before your fund officially exists. Build momentum, validate LP interest, and create urgency without legal complexity.
→ Decile Community Deals: Access curated deal flow from our network of 1,500+ funds to build your pipeline and demonstrate investment readiness. Show LPs you have real opportunities waiting.
→ Peer Cohort Network: Join a community of driven managers all working toward the same goal, providing accountability, support, and collaboration opportunities throughout your fund launch journey.
The 5-Sprint Curriculum
Start Lab's curriculum is designed around one objective: getting you to $150K+ in LP commitments as fast as possible, with AI accelerating every step.
→ Sprint 0 – Orientation: Get set up with Decile Hub, understand the PACT process, and identify your initial deal targets. Access AI Toolkits immediately and complete orientation tasks quickly to hit the ground running in Sprint 1.
→ Sprint 1– Thesis Development: Define your secret sauce and refine your thesis using the AI Thesis Generator. Validate your approach through conversations with five trusted Confidants who can give honest feedback. Use AI to prepare for each conversation and refine your pitch based on what you learn.
→ Sprint 2 – Confidant Outreach: Build your list of 30+ Confidants from your personal network. Pitch your first 15 using AI-prepared scripts and objection handling frameworks. Secure your initial PACTs. By the end of this sprint, you should be actively collecting signed commitments.
→ Sprint 3 – Deal Pipeline: Continue aggressive PACT collection while building a credible deal pipeline through Decile Community Deals and your personal network. Identify 1-2 priority investments and create urgency with your LPs through real deal opportunities. Use AI to generate investment memos and deal analysis.
→ Sprint 4 – Fund Closing: Convert PACTs into signed Limited Partner Agreements and officially close your fund. This two-week sprint takes you from committed capital to fully operational fund. Coordinate with the Start Fund team on LPA distribution and begin investing immediately upon close.
Apply to Cohort 2
Join Start Lab Cohort 2 and close your fund before 2025 ends.
Start Lab has helped aspiring managers launch institutional-grade venture capital funds in weeks, not months. Our combination of AI-powered tools, action-first curriculum, Start Fund technology, and 506(c) visibility creates the fastest path from aspiration to operational fund.
Whether you're a first-time manager with a clear thesis or an experienced investor ready to formalize your track record, Cohort 2 will provide you with the AI tools, structure, and accountability to close your first fund.
Cohort 2 Dates:
Orientation: December 17, 2025
First Session: December 18, 2025
Est. Finish: January 13, 2026
Cohort 3 Dates:
Kick-Off: January 20, 2026
We run cohorts continuously. If Cohort 2 timing doesn't work for you, book a call to reserve your spot in Cohort 3 or a future cohort.
How to Apply
Ready to close your fund before year end? Ready to close your fund before year end? Register for the orientation kick off on December 17th.
We are seeking managers who combine strong networks with the drive to take immediate action.
Start Lab is not for people who want to learn about venture capital—it's for people who want to launch a fund now, with AI handling the complexity.
The best time to launch was yesterday. The second best time is before 2025 ends.