Dark Horse (n)
Someone who’s underestimated, but destined to win.
Dark Horse (n)
Someone who’s underestimated, but destined to win.
Dark Horse (n)
Someone who's underestimated, but destined to win.
Dark Horse (n)
Someone who's underestimated, but destined to win.
For Tier 1 Builders
For Tier 1 Builders
Without Tier 1 Connections
Without Tier 1 Connections
Sprint 001 Starts September 1st, 2025
Sprint 001 Starts September 1st, 2025
A 4-week async sprint for underestimated founders to finally ship something real, with structure, support, and momentum.
60+ Applications Submitted
60+ Applications Submitted
Sprint 001 Starts September 1st, 2025
Sprint 001 Starts September 1st, 2025
A 4-week async sprint for underestimated founders to finally ship something real, with structure, support, and momentum.
60+ Applications Submitted
60+ Applications Submitted
We don’t care if you didn’t go to Stanford or raise a pre-seed. We care that you’re ready to start, and tired of building alone. The Dark Horse Sprint is the place you go when you want to finally ship.
We don’t care if you didn’t go to Stanford or raise a pre-seed. We care that you’re ready to start, and tired of building alone. The Dark Horse Sprint is the place you go when you want to finally ship.
How it works
4 Weeks to Real Progress
Each week is designed to push you forward, without burnout or fluff.
Partner Up + Set Goals
Get matched with an accountability partner, set your 4-week target, and join the kickoff.
Phase 01
Partner Up + Set Goals
Get matched with an accountability partner, set your 4-week target, and join the kickoff.
Phase 01
Clarity + Commitments
Lock in what you're building and why. Daily check-ins. Friday demo to the group.
Phase 02
Clarity + Commitments
Lock in what you're building and why. Daily check-ins. Friday demo to the group.
Phase 02
Build Mode
Ship small pieces. Stay accountable. Join mid-week “unstuck” sessions to get feedback.
Phase 03
Build Mode
Ship small pieces. Stay accountable. Join mid-week “unstuck” sessions to get feedback.
Phase 03
Launch + Demo Day
Finalize your MVP or project, launch publicly (if ready), and showcase it at Demo Day.
Phase 04
Launch + Demo Day
Finalize your MVP or project, launch publicly (if ready), and showcase it at Demo Day.
Phase 04
Connect to Content
Add layers or components to infinitely loop on your page.
How It Works
4 Weeks to Real Progress
Each week is designed to push you forward, without burnout or fluff.
Partner Up + Set Goals
Get matched with an accountability partner, set your 4-week target, and join the kickoff.
Phase 01
Partner Up + Set Goals
Get matched with an accountability partner, set your 4-week target, and join the kickoff.
Phase 01
Clarity + Commitments
Lock in what you're building and why. Daily check-ins. Friday demo to the group.
Phase 02
Clarity + Commitments
Lock in what you're building and why. Daily check-ins. Friday demo to the group.
Phase 02
Build Mode
Ship small pieces. Stay accountable. Join mid-week “unstuck” sessions to get feedback.
Phase 03
Build Mode
Ship small pieces. Stay accountable. Join mid-week “unstuck” sessions to get feedback.
Phase 03
Launch + Demo Day
Finalize your MVP or project, launch publicly (if ready), and showcase it at Demo Day.
Phase 04
Launch + Demo Day
Finalize your MVP or project, launch publicly (if ready), and showcase it at Demo Day.
Phase 04
How It Works
4 Weeks to Real Progress
Each week is designed to push you forward, without burnout or fluff.
Partner Up + Set Goals
Get matched with an accountability partner, set your 4-week target, and join the kickoff.
Phase 01
Clarity + Commitments
Lock in what you're building and why. Daily check-ins. Friday demo to the group.
Phase 02
Build Mode
Ship small pieces. Stay accountable. Join mid-week “unstuck” sessions to get feedback.
Phase 03
Launch + Demo Day
Finalize your MVP or project, launch publicly (if ready), and showcase it at Demo Day.
Phase 04
Sprint Like A Dark Horse
A dark horse is not expected to win, until they do. They build quietly. They ship anyway.
They change the game without asking for permission.
A dark horse is not expected to win, until they do. They build quietly.
They ship anyway.
Why it works
The Dark Horse
Advantage
Our edge isn’t theory. It’s momentum. Break through the noise and finally build.
Action Over Theory
We don’t teach startup theory. We help you ship something real in 4 weeks, with pressure, structure, and support.
Action Over Theory
We don’t teach startup theory. We help you ship something real in 4 weeks, with pressure, structure, and support.
Partner Matching
You’ll get paired with an accountability partner based on timezone and goal, so you don’t go it alone.
Partner Matching
You’ll get paired with an accountability partner based on timezone and goal, so you don’t go it alone.
Async, Global-Friendly
No timezone drama. The program is designed for async builders with a few well-placed live touchpoints.
Async, Global-Friendly
No timezone drama. The program is designed for async builders with a few well-placed live touchpoints.
Lightweight Daily Check-ins
Five minutes a day keeps you on track and makes it hard to disappear. You’ll actually show up.
Lightweight Daily Check-ins
Five minutes a day keeps you on track and makes it hard to disappear. You’ll actually show up.
Weekly Demos
Every Friday you’ll share progress. Even if it’s ugly. Builds momentum and makes you care more.
Weekly Demos
Every Friday you’ll share progress. Even if it’s ugly. Builds momentum and makes you care more.
Stay in the Arena
After launch, stick around. The alumni community stays active, some go on to raise, build together, or mentor.
Stay in the Arena
After launch, stick around. The alumni community stays active, some go on to raise, build together, or mentor.
Why it works
The Dark Horse Advantage
Our edge isn’t theory. It’s momentum. Break through the noise and finally build.
Action Over Theory
We don’t teach startup theory. We help you ship something real in 4 weeks, with pressure, structure, and support.
Action Over Theory
We don’t teach startup theory. We help you ship something real in 4 weeks, with pressure, structure, and support.
Partner Matching
You’ll get paired with an accountability partner based on timezone and goal, so you don’t go in it alone.
Partner Matching
You’ll get paired with an accountability partner based on timezone and goal, so you don’t go in it alone.
Async, Global-Friendly
No timezone drama. The program is designed for async builders with a few well-placed live touchpoints.
Async, Global-Friendly
No timezone drama. The program is designed for async builders with a few well-placed live touchpoints.
Lightweight Daily Check-ins
Five minutes a day keeps you on track and makes it hard to disappear. You’ll actually show up excited.
Lightweight Daily Check-ins
Five minutes a day keeps you on track and makes it hard to disappear. You’ll actually show up excited.
Weekly Demos
Every Friday you’ll share progress. Even if it’s ugly. This builds momentum and makes you care more.
Weekly Demos
Every Friday you’ll share progress. Even if it’s ugly. This builds momentum and makes you care more.
Stay in the Arena
After launch, stick around. The alumni community stays active, some will go on to raise, build together, or mentor.
Stay in the Arena
After launch, stick around. The alumni community stays active, some will go on to raise, build together, or mentor.
Who it's for
Underdogs ready to build something real
Not everyone has Stanford credentials or a Sequoia intro. But they’ve got ideas, grit, and something to prove.
Who it's for
Underdogs ready to build something real
Not everyone has Stanford credentials or a Sequoia intro. But they’ve got ideas, grit, and something to prove.
Who it's for
Underdogs ready to build something real
Not everyone has Stanford credentials or a Sequoia intro. But they’ve got ideas, grit, and something to prove.
Comparison
Comparison
Comparison
Most Programs Weren’t Built For People Like Us.
The Founder Sprint isn’t trying to be Y Combinator.
We’re what you do before that, to prove you're worth betting on.
The Dark Horse Sprint isn’t trying to be Y Combinator. We’re what you do before that, to prove you're worth betting on.
VC's/Accelerators
V/S
V/S
Cookie-cutter advice
Zoom overload & timezone chaos
Theory-heavy, action-light
Funding-first, building-second
You build alone
Cookie-cutter advice
Zoom overload & timezone chaos
Theory-heavy, action-light
Funding-first, building-second
You build alone
Real accountability, real momentum
Async-first, global-friendly
Ship something real in 4 weeks
Clarity-first, traction-focused
You build with 99 others
Real accountability, real momentum
Async-first, global-friendly
Ship something real in 4 weeks
Clarity-first, traction-focused
You build with 99 others
Apply
To join 99 other builders
The right people
bet on themselves
Apply to the sprint built for underestimated founders ready to ship.
Other Agencies
V/S
V/S
Cookie-cutter advice
Zoom overload & timezone chaos
Theory-heavy, action-light
VC-chasing mindset
You build alone
Cookie-cutter advice
Zoom overload & timezone chaos
Theory-heavy, action-light
VC-chasing mindset
You build alone
Real accountability, real momentum
Async-first, global-friendly
Ship something real in 4 weeks
Clarity-first, traction-focused
You build with 99 others
Real accountability, real momentum
Async-first, global-friendly
Ship something real in 4 weeks
Clarity-first, traction-focused
You build with 99 others
24/7
Collaborate With Us
Any Questions Rising? We are All Here.
are Ready to Help.
Whether you have a question, need assistance, or want to start a new project, our team is here to help.
Pricing
Pricing
Pricing
One Sprint. Lifetime Impact.
One Sprint.
Lifetime Impact.
One Sprint.
Lifetime Impact.
No hidden fees. Just momentum.
No hidden fees.
Just momentum.
Payment due if accepted
Sprint Pass
$99
/ One-time fee
7 day full-refund guarantee
100+
Dark Horses
4
Weeks
4-week async sprint
Private founder community
Weekly demo day & feedback
Co-founder matchmaking
Structured daily goals
Payment due if accepted
Sprint Pass
$99
/ One-time fee
7 day full-refund guarantee
100+
Dark Horses
4
Weeks
4-week async sprint
Private founder community
Weekly demo day & feedback
Co-founder matchmaking
Structured daily goals
Payment due if accepted
Sprint Pass
$99
/ One-time fee
7 day full-refund guarantee
100+
Dark Horses
4
Weeks
4-week async sprint
Private founder community
Weekly demo day & feedback
Co-founder matchmaking
Structured daily goals
FAQ
FAQ
FAQ
Frequently
Asked Questions
Have questions more questions? Shoot us an email and we will clear everything up for you.
What exactly do I get when I join?
Is this only for technical founders?
What’s the time commitment?
Do I need an idea already?
What happens after the sprint ends?
Is there a refund policy?
What exactly do I get when I join?
Is this only for technical founders?
What’s the time commitment?
Do I need an idea already?
What happens after the sprint ends?
Is there a refund policy?
What exactly do I get when I join?
Is this only for technical founders?
What’s the time commitment?
Do I need an idea already?
What happens after the sprint ends?
Is there a refund policy?
Become a Dark Horse
Ready to Build?
You don’t need Stanford, YC, or permission. Just 4 weeks, real momentum, and others who get it.
Become a Dark Horse
Ready to Build?
You don’t need Stanford, YC, or permission. Just 4 weeks, real momentum, and others who get it.