AltaLab Fall 2026
AltaLab Fall 2026
Building a unicorn starts
with the right framework
starts with the right framework
Applications close
September 4, 2026
September 4, 2026
Program starts
September 7, 2026
September 7, 2026
You have an idea, a problem you want to solve, or the conviction that something should exist.
Focus starts here: we help you choose one problem worth solving, align your team around it, and validate it — before you spend six months building something nobody needs.
You've launched. There are pilots, first users, maybe first revenue — but you're not sure yet what's actually working.
Focus is your filter: we help you separate the signal from the noise — which customers, which messages, which features actually move you toward product-market fit.
You have traction and you’re talking to investors — or about to. But growth has slowed, the story has drifted, or the team is pulling in different directions.
Focus is your leverage: we help you find the real bottleneck, sharpen the narrative investors buy, and align the team behind one bet.
You have an idea, a problem you want to solve, or the conviction that something should exist.
Focus starts here: we help you choose one problem worth solving, align your team around it, and validate it — before you spend six months building something nobody needs.
You've launched. There are pilots, first users, maybe first revenue — but you're not sure yet what's actually working.
Focus is your filter: we help you separate the signal from the noise — which customers, which messages, which features actually move you toward product-market fit.
You have traction and you’re talking to investors — or about to. But growth has slowed, the story has drifted, or the team is pulling in different directions.
Focus is your leverage: we help you find the real bottleneck, sharpen the narrative investors buy, and align the team behind one bet.
Stage 1
Online Sprint
In three weeks, learn the fundamentals of building a successful company in the AI era through practical sessions and daily work on your own startup.
Learn more
Learn more
Stage 2
Selected teams continue into a hands-on residency with one-on-one support, workshops, masterclasses, and community events.
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Learn more
Stage 3
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Work with the AltaIR Capital team to strengthen your product, go-to-market strategy, fundraising readiness, and execution.
Work with the AltaLab team to strengthen your product, go-to-market strategy, fundraising readiness, and execution.
or
Learn more
Companies with strong traction can move directly into investment conversations with AltaIR Capital.
Companies with strong traction can move directly into investment conversations with AltaIR Capital.
*Participation at every stage
starting from Founder Residency
involves advisory options —
full details in our FAQ below.
*Participation at every stage starting from Founder Residency may involve advisory options — full details in our FAQ below.
Demo Day
Selected Founder Residency teams receive dedicated support preparing for Demo Day. Together, we refine your investor narrative, strengthen your pitch, and help you present your company to a group of angels, venture funds, and strategic partners.
successfully completed the Online Sprint
were selected for Founder Residency
received investment offers
successfully completed the Online Sprint
were selected for Founder Residency
received investment offers
After the bootcamp, I’m so energized and inspired. This week exceeded every expectation I had. It’s difficult to find the right words to express my appreciation for Igor. I’ve never felt this motivated about a project before — not even after receiving my first exit payment. There is something almost magical about his approach to thinking and building. Special thanks to Nikita Bogachev, Harbour.Space, and the other founders in the program. Every conversation brought new energy, perspective, and practical value.
“ This has been one of the best programs I’ve ever participated in. It gave me the clarity and vision I needed to move forward. Learning with the master Igor Ryabenkiy is the biggest surprise; otherwise, how would we even think that the person who created so many unicorns can teach us? The combination of core concepts, practical exercises, and daily assignments forced me to validate my own assumptions and rethink important decisions. This experience was absolutely amazing. It has helped me set a clear vision and given me the tools to build a truly lovable MVP.
“ AltaLab is useful not only at the idea stage but also for teams already building a product. It helps founders structure their thinking, clarify priorities, and approach product development in a more systematic way.
“ What I carry out of AltaLab is not just a sharper pitch or a cleaner ask, though I have both. What I carry is a more rigorous relationship with the difference between what I believe and what I can prove, and a clear understanding that for a founder seeking serious capital, that gap is the only thing that matters.
“ The program brings together founders to focus on what really matters: building products that solve real problems and can scale. For me, the past weeks were packed with valuable insights, sharp frameworks, and honest feedback from the AltaLab team and fellow founders.
“
After the bootcamp, I’m so energized and inspired. This week exceeded every expectation I had. It’s difficult to find the right words to express my appreciation for Igor. I’ve never felt this motivated about a project before — not even after receiving my first exit payment. There is something almost magical about his approach to thinking and building. Special thanks to Nikita Bogachev, Harbour.Space, and the other founders in the program. Every conversation brought new energy, perspective, and practical value.
“ This has been one of the best programs I’ve ever participated in. It gave me the clarity and vision I needed to move forward. Learning with the master Igor Ryabenkiy is the biggest surprise; otherwise, how would we even think that the person who created so many unicorns can teach us? The combination of core concepts, practical exercises, and daily assignments forced me to validate my own assumptions and rethink important decisions. This experience was absolutely amazing. It has helped me set a clear vision and given me the tools to build a truly lovable MVP.
“ AltaLab is useful not only at the idea stage but also for teams already building a product. It helps founders structure their thinking, clarify priorities, and approach product development in a more systematic way.
“ What I carry out of AltaLab is not just a sharper pitch or a cleaner ask, though I have both. What I carry is a more rigorous relationship with the difference between what I believe and what I can prove, and a clear understanding that for a founder seeking serious capital, that gap is the only thing that matters.
“ The program brings together founders to focus on what really matters: building products that solve real problems and can scale. For me, the past weeks were packed with valuable insights, sharp frameworks, and honest feedback from the AltaLab team and fellow founders.
“
Igor Ryabenkiy has spent two decades backing early-stage founders — 400+ companies and 10+ unicorns, including Deel, Miro, PandaDoc, and many more. He signed his first angel check in 1998 and founded AltaIR Capital in 2005. Igor is the author of bestselling books, Adventures in Venture Capital and Unicorn Focus. All ideas and frameworks behind AltaLab are based on Igor’s experience and his books.
Nikita Bogachev is head of AltaLab. He works directly with founders throughout the program.
Igor Ryabenkiy has spent two decades backing early-stage founders — 400+ companies and 10+ unicorns, including Deel, Miro, PandaDoc, and many more.
He signed his first angel check in 1998
and founded AltaIR Capital in 2005.
Igor is the author of bestselling books, Adventures in Venture Capital and
Unicorn Focus. All ideas and
frameworks behind
AltaLab are based
on Igor’s experience
and his books.
Nikita Bogachev is head of AltaLab. He works directly with founders throughout the
program.
assets under management
companies backed
unicorns
among VC firms globally (Dealroom, 2026)
assets under management
companies backed
unicorns
among VC firms globally (Dealroom, 2026)
Is the program online?
Is the program free?
How long does the Online Sprint last?
Can my startup receive funding through AltaLab?
Do I need a co-founder?
Do I need traction?
Can founders apply from anywhere?
Can I apply if I'm not building in one of AltaIR Capital's focus areas?
Can I apply again if I’ve applied before?
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