Founder Lab

Bridging Potential → Scale

You don’t need hype. You need hands-on strategy.
Designed for the founders, with the founders, by the founders in the global startup ecosystem Canada.

What’s in it for you?

One goal - one mission

Raising capital isn’t just about pitching — it’s about process. A founder-first accelerator designed to help entrepreneurs move from promise to performance. At Matrix Founder Lab, we teach early-stage founders how to think and act like seasoned fundraisers. Whether you’re raising your first $1M or scaling to $5M, we help you get there with clarity, precision, and confidence.

We support early-stage startup acceleration in Canada to create sustainable ventures.

This fall, we’re launching our inaugural cohort: 10 high-potential founders ready to raise real money on aligned terms.

Working Exclusively With

Established Canadian companies looking to raise their pre-seed or seed round

Why Matrix Founder Lab

Global mentors |12-week runway program | Seed to Series funding | Cross-border partners

Operator-led Mentorship:

Learn from founders, CXOs, and investors who have scaled and exited.

Capital Intelligence:

Investor access, diligence prep, pitch-coaching, investor access, and warm introductions.

Milestone Discipline:

Clear KPIs, weekly capital sprints, mentorship-driven accelerator program, and a bias to execution.

Global Bridges:

Connect with cross-border ecosystems, partners, investor connections, and growth markets.

What to Expect

Capital sprint is not a lecture series. Expect deep work, real strategy, and steady momentum toward your close.

Your Lab Benefits

Live Sessions:

Weekly live group sessions (with Q&A). A space to level up, connect with other serious founders, and get sharper.

Founder Slack Mastermind:

A private Slack community for mastermind support with direct interaction with Sharn and the Matrix Founders.

1:1 Strategy Calls:

Bi-weekly 1:1 strategy calls, personalized support to adjust your narrative, tackle tough questions, and unlock progress blockers.

Fundraising Strategy Simplified:

Weekly fundraising activities tied directly to your raise + curated investor introductions starting in Week 6.

Guest VC Sessions:

Office hours with experienced capital advisors and guest VCs.

Product Perks:

Over $50K in perks and cloud credits.

What You’ll Learn

The Capital Sprint is a hands-on, high-touch program that walks you through every stage of your fundraise. We believe founders deserve more than advice – they need hands-on acceleration.

Why most founders fail at fundraising, and how to avoid their mistakes

How to build and run an investor pipeline

The mindset and mechanics of a successful raise

How to get warm intros without a big network

Understanding dilution, SAFEs, liquidation preferences, and term sheets

The most common founder missteps, and how to stay one step ahead.

When and how to launch your raise (timing is everything)

And most importantly… how to close the round and get cash in the bank.

A clear path from today’s traction to tomorrow’s scale. Together, we bridge potential to scale.

Who will lead the program?

This program is led by Sharn Bassi, strategic advisor and angel investor who’s helped founders raise over $200M+ in capital. She’s advised hundreds of startups through inflection points from go-to-market pivots to investor negotiations. A former tech founder and ex-lead of Startup Grind Toronto, Sharn has worked with accelerators, funds, and boards across North America.

She’s not just teaching theory, she’s been in the trenches. You’ll feel that every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have a question, we have your answer.

Who is this program for?

Matrix Founder Lab is for elite-level CEO founders who have already been successful in other areas of life and business, but haven’t yet raised significant capital for their startup — not due to a lack of potential, but due to inexperience with the fundraising process.

This often includes founders who come from corporate leadership, academia, entertainment, or engineering backgrounds, and who are now leading high-potential startups with early traction.

We look for founders who are driven, coachable, and committed to developing themselves in the art and science of fundraising.

Is the program in-person or online?

The program is 100% online. All live sessions are scheduled in Eastern Time (Toronto/EST).

What’s the weekly time commitment?

To get results, capital fundraising must be your top priority.

We recommend founders spend at least 20 hours/week on their raise during the program. The more time you commit, the faster your round will close. This program supports real-time capital raises, so you’ll be actively engaging investors throughout.

I’m not the CEO. Can I still apply?

No. We only accept CEO applicants, as only the CEO can lead the round. If you are a co-founder or senior team member, please have your CEO apply directly.

Do I have to attend all sessions and office hours?

Weekly group sessions are mandatory. These are where the core strategy and accountability happen.

Office hours are optional but strongly recommended.
Investor guest sessions are optional.
All sessions are recorded and available on-demand.

If you miss a mandatory session due to an emergency, that’s okay — just let us know and catch up via recording.

I'm not actively raising yet. Should I still apply?

Yes – especially if you’re planning to raise within the next 6 months.

Many founders wait too long to prepare. By starting before your round officially opens, you’ll sharpen your materials and narrative, reduce fundraising friction, and approach investors with confidence and clarity.

What makes the Matrix Founder Lab different?

Founder-first, not cookie-cutter: Your raise strategy is tailored to your business.
Built by practitioners: We’ve helped founders raise $200M+ — this isn’t theory.
Capital-focused: We don’t distract with fluff. Our entire structure is designed to help you close your round.

Evolving impact: The Lab is designed with funder-aligned KPIs from day one, as we evolve toward a hybrid or nonprofit model supporting equity-deserving founders.

Will I get help with my pitch deck?

Yes. Within the first few weeks, we’ll walk you through a proven framework to:

Refine your investor story
Upgrade your slides
Polish your design
Build a version for both email sends and live investor meetings

Many founders say this is one of the most transformative parts of the program.

For more clarity, kindly check our detailed FAQ section right here!

Ready to Raise?

It’s small, personalized and highly focused. Just 10 high-potential founders, starting Fall 2025.