Serval Start
Serval Start is a two-year program for exceptional builders and technical talent at the beginning of their company-building journey.
Applications are now closed
We believe many of the most important AI companies of the next decade have not been started yet. Some of them will begin here.
The Program
Start something that matters
Most startup programs start once a company already exists. Serval Start begins earlier. It's designed for builders who want to learn how companies are built while working on real AI systems.
Serval's founders followed a similar path early in their careers — joining companies with strong product-market fit, including Verkada and Rippling, to learn how great companies are built and scaled. Serval Start is how the next generation does it.
Hosts
Hands-on workshops led by our leaders and investors
Taught by the founders, operators, and investors shaping what's next
Jake Stauch
CEO and Founder of Serval
Christine Kim
Head of Strategic Projects at Serval
Bill Trenchard
Partner at First Round
Greg Rosen
Partner at BoxGroup
Anas Biad
Partner at Sequoia
Patrick Chase
Partner at Redpoint
How it works
Build real AI systems for the world's largest enterprises
Participants join Serval's Agent Deployment team — a specialized technical group responsible for end-to-end execution of AI agent deployments across IT, HR, Legal, Finance, and go-to-market teams.
Deployed Software Engineers
Operate as technical leads on Serval's most strategic engagements. Design and build new products and features that extend Serval's capabilities in enterprise environments.
Deployment Strategists
Own the customer lifecycle — from implementation to adoption and expansion. Work closely with customers to ensure successful deployments and translate product capability into real business outcomes.
Most founders struggle to find the right problem. At Serval, you'll see them firsthand.
What you'll gain
An unfair advantage as a future founder
Serval Start is designed to accelerate your journey toward becoming a founder. Over two years, participants gain real equity, real experience, and the relationships that most founders spend a decade trying to build.
Enterprise AI Experience
Build production AI agents and new products for some of the world's largest companies.
Accelerated Equity
Earn Serval equity with accelerated vesting on a two-year schedule while developing your founder skills.
Exceptional Network
A tight-knit group of approximately 12 builders — your future co-founders, advisors, and lifelong network.
Workshops
Hands-on sessions hosted at Serval HQ and investor offices — covering PMF, fundraising, recruiting, product design, and how to identify great startup ideas.
Field Studies
Visits to major enterprise customers and offsites to New York and London to build relationships with the broader tech and investment community.
Investor Relationships
Build lasting relationships with leading investors across the Serval ecosystem and beyond.