Founders Cookbook · Spring 2026
MASTERMINDS.
For founders already in the game.
A small-group program for founders with a product in market, early traction, and serious fundraising ambitions. 10 startups. Senior investors. Real work — on your deck, your deal, your decisions.
For details scroll down↓
10
Startups max
6
Sessions
EN
Language
PRG
Location
Most founders don’t need more content. They need clarity, feedback, and someone who tells them the truth.
About
Founders Cookbook Masterminds is a focused, small-format program designed for founders who are already in the game — with a product in market, early traction, and serious fundraising ambitions.
Unlike the Founders Academy, this is not a curriculum. There are no basics, no step-by-step guides. Instead, each session brings together 10 founders and one senior investor or operator around a single topic — and the work happens in the room, on real decks, real deals, and real decisions.
If you’re preparing to raise, navigating your first term sheet, or figuring out whether the US market makes sense for you — this is where that conversation happens.
MAX. 10 STARTUPS
Real attention, not passive listening
SENIOR INVESTORS
Not lectures, but real conversations
REAL STARTUP WORK
Your deck, your deal, your decision
CONCRETE OUTPUTS
Every session ends with a clear next step
Founders Academy — Autumn 2026
→ Structured curriculum from the ground up
→ Czech language, local mentors
→ For founders validating an idea
→ 4 990 CZK / startup
Masterminds — Spring 2026 ← you are here
→ No curriculum — casework on your situation
→ English, senior investors & operators
→ For founders with MVP/traction, preparing to raise
→ Selective — application required
TIMELINE
DATE
SESSION
May 20
09:00–11:30
Fundraising & VC Logic
May 27
09:00–11:30
Pitch Deck That Gets Attention
June 2
18:00–21:00
4 investors
June 3
09:00–11:30
Investment Mechanics: Term Sheets & Convertibles
June 10
09:00–11:30
Building from CEE: Fundraising & Scaling to the US
June 17
09:00–11:30
Founders to Founders: Expansion & Real Cases
June 24
09:00–11:30
Problem Solving & Reality Check
Location: Prague · Language: English · Format: In-person
What you actually get
Each mentor brings a distinct perspective. By the end, you’ll have seen your startup from every angle that matters to an investor.
Roundtable 1
A THINKING RESET
How investors see your startup vs. how you see it. The gap between those two is usually where the fundraise fails.
Roundtable 2
CLARITY
How to communicate your story so investors get it in 3 minutes. Not simpler — clearer.
Roundtable 3
CONFIDENCE IN DEALS
You’ll understand deals well enough to ask the right questions and spot the wrong ones.
Roundtable 4
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
What going global actually means for a CEE founder — and whether the timing is right for you.
Roundtable 5
REAL TALK
Lessons from someone who’s been through it — not just watched it. Practical, unfiltered.
Roundtable 6 + speed-mentoring
A REALITY CHECK
What actually determines success vs. failure — and fast feedback from 5 investors who’ll tell you the truth.
Included in the program
TRUESDAYS SPEED MENTORING.
A live event where 10 founders meet 4 investors in back-to-back 10-minute sessions. Fast, direct, no filter. You’ll know exactly where you stand.
→ 10+ investors and mentors in one evening
→ 10 minutes per conversation
→ Feedback on pitch, positioning, fundraising readiness
→ Real ecosystem connections
→ June 2 · 18:00–21:00 · Prague
Who is it for
Founders with a product in market — MVP, beta, or early customers
Founders preparing to raise in the next 6–12 months
Founders who want to work, not just listen — sessions use your real decks and problems
Founders comfortable in English — all sessions are in English
This is probably not for you if…
× You’re still validating your idea or looking for a co-founder
× You want a step-by-step curriculum → check out Founders Academy in autumn
× You need Czech language sessions
Price & Registration
Participation fee
3990 CZK
per startup · VAT not included
— All 6 in-person roundtables
— Truesdays speed mentoring event
— Direct access to mentors
— Prague · English
This is a selective program. Applications reviewed manually by Startup Kitchen. Once approved, you will receive an invoice.
Program of the Masterminds
Each session is built as a roundtable workshop combining short expert input, open discussion, and real startup casework. Click a session to see the full agenda.
May 20 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
FUNDRAISING & VC LOGIC
Understanding how investors actually think — and how to position your startup as an investable opportunity.
Interactive
Investment decision simulation · Why now & insight drill · Investor lens discussion · Narrative refinement
May 27 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
PITCH DECK THAT GETS ATTENTION
Building a pitch deck that gets replies — by understanding how investors actually read and evaluate startup presentations.
Interactive
Live deck reviews · Investor lens simulation · Group critique · Rewriting key slides live
June 3 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
INVESTMENT MECHANICS
How startup investment deals actually work — from term sheets to ownership structure — so founders can negotiate with confidence.
Interactive
Real term sheet walkthrough · Red flag identification · Scenario-based Q&A · Dilution & ownership structure
June 10 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
BUILDING FROM CEE: SCALING TO THE US
When and how it makes sense to expand beyond your home market and what it really takes to raise in the US as a CEE founder.
Interactive
Expansion readiness discussion · US vs. EU investor expectations · Case evaluation of selected startupst
June 17 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
FOUNDERS TO FOUNDERS
Real founder experience and practical thinking about scaling — what it actually takes and what founders consistently underestimate.
Interactive
Founder challenges discussion · Peer problem-solving · Real cases & comparisons · What would you do? scenarios
June 24 · 09:00–11:30 · Prague
REALITY CHECK
Helping founders identify and solve their most critical problems — based on real patterns from hundreds of early-stage startups.
Interactive
Founder problem mapping · Live problem-solving · Pattern recognition · Assumption testing
Ready to get honest feedback on where you actually stand?
10 spots. Senior investors. Real work on your startup. If you’re preparing to raise and want a room where no one is polite about what’s not working — this is it.
Questions? domi@startupkitchen.community
Organizers
