7-Step Process

From Pitch to Funded
in 7 Clear Steps

A transparent, accountable pipeline that protects every stakeholder - founders, experts, and investors. No black boxes. No hidden steps.

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Average Review Time

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Independent Expert Reviews

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Scoring Dimensions

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On-Chain Verified

The Process

Every Step, Transparent

Each step is designed for accountability and trust. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you sign up to the day your deal is funded.

Step 1Founder

Founder Onboards

Guided pitch builder + KYC + document uploads. Takes about 25 minutes.

Step 2Expert

Expert Reviews

8-dimension blind scoring by 2 independent domain experts. 5-day SLA.

Step 3System

Score Published

Credibility score published on-chain. Opt-in. Portable across the ecosystem.

Step 4System

Investor Matched

Sector + stage + geography + check size matching algorithm finds best fits.

Step 5Founder + Investor

Deal Room Opens

SAFE/note templates. Milestone builder. Digital signatures. All in one place.

Step 6Investor

Escrow Funded

Bank → USDC → blockchain smart contract escrow. Funds secured before work begins.

Step 7All Parties

Milestones Released

2-of-3 multisig unlocks each tranche. Score updates with each milestone.

Built-In Protections

Trust at Every Layer

Every step includes safeguards that protect founders, investors, and experts equally.

KYC Verification

Every participant is identity-verified before entering the ecosystem. No anonymous actors.

Blind Review

Experts review startups without knowing each other's assessments. Pure objectivity.

On-Chain Scores

Credibility scores are published on-chain - portable, immutable, and verifiable by anyone.

Smart Contract Escrow

Capital is locked in blockchain escrow and only released when milestones are verified.

2-of-3 Multisig

No single party can release or withhold funds. Requires consensus from 2 of 3 stakeholders.

5-Day SLA

Expert reviews are guaranteed within 5 business days. No more months-long due diligence.

Roles & Responsibilities

Everyone Has a Role

Founders

  • Submit pitch & documents
  • Complete KYC verification
  • Set milestones with investor
  • Submit evidence for each milestone

Experts

  • Review startups blindly
  • Score across 8 dimensions
  • Verify milestone evidence
  • Build trust score over time

Investors

  • Discover scored startups
  • Fund via smart contract escrow
  • Approve milestone releases
  • Track portfolio in real time

Ready to Get Started?

Join hundreds of founders, experts, and investors who trust FounderGrade to bring accountability to startup investing.