How we
co-found.
Relay 1 is run like a sports team. We contribute the build and stay in the work after launch. Same operators across every company, same standards, same weekly cadence.
The four things we believe.
If we can't apply these to your company on day zero, we're the wrong studio for you.
We take 25 to 35% equity for the build, depending on stage of contribution. Same vesting cliff as you. Our names go on the charter the same moment yours does.
One playbook across the portfolio: hiring rubrics, GTM motions, ops dashboards, finance close. Every company starts inside a working studio, not from scratch.
We measure what shipped and what didn’t, then compound the work in writing.
We are not investors. We contribute the build: product, brand, GTM, automation infrastructure. After launch we stay in the work as paid operators. Capital is the founder’s job, not the studio’s.
The work, in eight stages.
We meet founders where they are in the build. We pick up from there.
Where you are now. We assess the current state of the idea, MVP, customers, brand, and pick up from there.
Sharpen the wedge. Confirm the customer and the problem.
Entity, equity, ownership, operating agreement, foundational legal.
Identity, voice, positioning, visual system.
Build or harden the actual thing.
Unit economics, monetization model, pricing structure.
Channels, motion, distribution.
Live revenue, real users, signal.
How the studio gets paid.
Founders should know the deal before they apply. Three lines, priced separately because they are different things.
25 to 35% at formation, depending on stage of contribution. This is for the build itself: product, brand, GTM, automation. Same vesting cliff as the founder. Specific split is a conversation. The range is the range.
Flat monthly retainer post-launch for engineering, automation maintenance, infrastructure, design, and operator hours. Pre-revenue: $5K to $10K / month, often deferred until first revenue or first capital raised. Post-revenue or post-seed: $15K to $30K / month. Scaling: tapers to advisory retainer. The fee reflects the ongoing team. The equity reflects the build.
Studio-grade engagements from $50K when the work sharpens our internal playbooks or fits our verticals. Same team, same bar. Revenue from outside work funds the in-house build.