The self-paced course for
first-time founders.
Six modules. Around thirty lessons. Every template you'll need to go from idea to investor-ready — without the equity commitment of the full Accelerator. From £149.
Six modules that take you from idea to fundable.
Built by the same operators who run the Palooza Accelerator. The course distils the foundations every founder needs before they walk into a room — or an elevator — with an investor.
Founding & framing
- Find your wedge: problem, audience and moment
- Write the one-sentence company description
- Build the V0 narrative deck (template included)
Market & customer
- TAM / SAM / SOM done properly — with sources
- Customer interview scripts and synthesis
- Define your beachhead and second market
Product & MVP
- Scope a credible MVP in 4 weeks
- Build, no-code or wizard-of-oz — pick the right path
- Ship-day checklist and feedback loops
Pitch craft 101
- The 30-second hook every founder needs
- Slide-by-slide deck breakdown (10 slides)
- Record your V1 video pitch and self-grade
Financial basics
- Read a P&L, balance sheet and cash flow
- Drop-in spreadsheet model (12 months)
- Burn, runway and the maths of a raise
Investor literacy
- Angels vs VCs vs grants vs revenue-based
- How a SAFE works — and when not to use one
- Diligence basics and the founder-friendly data room
Templates, reviews and lifetime access.
- 6 modules · ~30 video lessons · self-paced
- Downloadable templates: deck, model, cap table, data room
- AI-graded pitch video upload (2 reviews included)
- Private course community & weekly office-hours digest
- Certificate of completion
- Lifetime access to the course (including future updates)
- Priority queue for the next Palooza Accelerator intake
2–3 hours a week. Finish in 4–8 weeks.
The course is fully asynchronous. Work through it at your own pace, on your own schedule, with all materials downloadable for offline use. Most founders finish in under two months while still running their day job.
Once you've shipped and have early traction, the 12-week Accelerator ends with a guaranteed live pitch slot at a Palooza event.
See the AcceleratorTwo ways in.
Self-serve the curriculum or add live coaching on top.
Lifetime access to the full curriculum and templates.
- All 6 modules · ~30 lessons
- All templates & worksheets
- 2 AI-graded pitch reviews
- Course community access
- Certificate of completion
Course plus three 1:1 sessions with a Palooza coach.
- Everything in Course
- 3 × 1:1 coaching calls (45 min)
- Live pitch rehearsal & feedback
- Personalised fundraise plan
- Priority Accelerator review
Enrol, learn, ship.
- 01Enrol online
Pick your tier, pay once, get instant platform access.
- 02Work through the modules
Watch lessons, download templates, complete worksheets at your own pace.
- 03Upload your pitch
Record a V1 video pitch and submit for AI-graded feedback.
- 04Graduate
Earn your certificate and unlock priority Accelerator review.
Common questions.
How is this different from the Palooza Accelerator?
The Accelerator is a 12-week cohort programme that ends with a live pitch slot at a Palooza event — it runs on equity (2%) and is invite-only. The Startup Readiness Course is self-paced, paid in cash (from £149), and built for founders who are pre-product or pre-traction and aren't ready for the live pitch yet.
Who is it for?
First-time founders, side-project builders, and anyone with an idea but no shipped product yet. If you can already show traction and want to be in front of investors in 12 weeks, apply to the Accelerator instead.
How long does it take?
Most founders finish in 4–8 weeks at 2–3 hours per week. Everything is self-paced — you keep lifetime access and can revisit any module as your company evolves.
Do I get feedback on my pitch?
Yes. Every founder gets 2 AI-graded reviews on uploaded video pitches as part of the base price. Additional reviews and 1:1 coaching can be added on.
Can this lead to the Accelerator?
Yes. Completing the course puts you in the priority queue for the next Accelerator intake. Several founders use the course as the on-ramp.
Refunds?
14-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. After that the course is non-refundable but yours for life.
Become investor-ready on your own time.
Lifetime access. 14-day money-back guarantee. From £149.