We just launched Season Two of Free Agency, Terrain’s program to select your startup idea, before founding or funding.
Applications are open until September 14 at terrain.com/freeagency.
Why Free Agency?
When you're thinking about starting a company, you have unprecedented leverage and choice. You're a free agent, unencumbered, with infinite possibilities. But it's also one of the highest-stakes decisions you'll ever make.
Here's what usually happens: The moment you signal you want to start something, the machine kicks in. Investors slide into your DMs. Friends ask what you're doing. Former colleagues want to join. Momentum starts whether you're ready or not.
Most programs feed this. EIRs, accelerators, and incubators can be great, but they put you on their timeline, give you their playbook, and push you towards set terms and frenzied demo days.
What we do is different.
Free Agency is the space before starting. To push you to start for the right reason. 8 weeks, we take no equity, no strings attached. Just you, us, and the question that matters most: What should you build?
We launched Season One in February, as an experiment, and worked with 8 free agents. Of those:
> 5 raised capital
> 2 decided not to start a company
> 1 is bootstrapping
We consider each of these outcomes a success. In each, they reached personal clarity and an outcome that was right for them.
Free Agency starts with you. Your roots. What energizes you. The problems you can't stop thinking about. Then we help you get going, with access to customers, products, and resources to build.
1:1 partnership with experienced investors and founders to navigate the idea maze.
Collaboration on core methods dedicated to surface and select the right idea.
$350k+ in tech credits from Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Framer, and more, along with other benefits, including early access to new technologies and go-to-market support.
Access to specialists, customers, and CEO advisors.
At the end of the program, you’ll reach one of two outcomes: (1) A high-conviction startup with early momentum, or (2) A clear realization that now isn’t the right time, and that’s a win, too.
Free Agency gives you the space, structure, and support to make the right decision. On your terms.
Applications close September 14, and Free Agency starts shortly after. To learn more about what to expect, watch our explainer video here: