Devland is a startup studio that focuses on building new innovative ventures with brilliant technologists and wildly underestimated entrepreneurs. We provide an alternative investment pathway for committed entrepreneurs-in-residence with program guidance and direct funding through Series A. Devland was founded by Miles Dotson and Devon Fanfair, both engineers with technology industry management pedigree and a range capital markets experience from M&A to Early-Stage Investments.
Targeted for individual entrepreneurs who are just getting gears turning around a problem space or opportunity they are interested in.
Idea Stage: 10 weeks with up to $30K funding, new company is formed in this stage.
MVP Stage: 12-18 weeks with $150K project investment. Route to commercial pilot or Beta growth launch. (Consistent with Pre-Seed Stage)
Market Ready: Investment Starting at $500K to scale into market, increase head count and spinout fully. (Consistent with Seed Stage)
Follow On: Investment follow on through direct and network placements beyond Series A.
To date we have made substantial progress developing technology and entrepreneurial talent around the US through our startup studio entrepreneur programs. We believe in the critical importance of ecosystems in helping to incubate new businesses and innovations. Since 2016 we have launched over 41 research entrepreneurs → 14 companies → over $8.5M in early stage capital deployed with angels and institutional partners. In 2021 we have begun expanding our programs into 4 new US markets aiming to bring portability to our internal program model now through direct fund capital in two specific categories:
On average a new company will spinout in 6 to 12 months time if they have been able to obtain a pilot enterprise opportunity and validate their initial proof of concept. In this stage it is not common that they have a standalone product offering but have demonstrated substantial value for their lighthouse customer.
Devland has invested in a select number of companies that we believed clearly demonstrate revenue traction and a unique market playbook. These operators have successfully raised capital, managed teams, show strong commitment, and do not require high touch support.
At Devland we believe in the rapid validation approach to building startups. If we are not able to clearly understand a path for future growth the project through an enterprise pilot, it is then shelved and the lead has the opportunity to pivot to a new effort. If they have exhausted their project funds they will be required to reapply to the program.
A startup studio is a validation led approach to venture capital. We are operators, product leaders, and venture capital thinkers who understand the role startup creation plays in the market as a whole. Our goal is to illuminate repeatable paths that often result in early acquisitions, stable longterm growth, or public market entry while improving the average cost required to create that outcome.
Entrepreneurs start off as research fellows of Devland and function like members of our studio team. They typically start from zero on a new project without a predetermined destination. We function as co-builders helping to attain critical milestones for the new startup potential they are leading.
Relevant Materials:
Devland Startup Studio - Overview
Apply to Entrepreneur Program: Sign Up
Get Involved as a Industry Expert/Mentor: Sign Up
Know LPs interested in funding this type of program? Contact Miles