Founder

Founder / Entrepreneur-in-ResidenceLocation: Virginia and the Greater Mid-Atlantic RegionCompany: CipherPlayAbout CipherPlayCipherPlay is a venture-building organization that helps experienced professionals turn promising ideas into scalable companies. We bridge the gaps between industry expertise, market research, product strategy, technical execution, funding, and access to customers and strategic partners.We work alongside founders to validate opportunities, develop products, refine business models, and prepare new ventures for growth. Our goal is to give capable industry leaders the technical, financial, operational, and strategic support they need to build successful companies.The OpportunityCipherPlay is seeking experienced professionals who want to found and lead a company based on an idea, product, or service they have already begun developing.This opportunity is designed for people with meaningful industry experience, demonstrated professional success, and early evidence that their idea addresses a real market need. That evidence may include customer interest, initial revenue, a working prototype, successful pilots, letters of intent, partnerships, or other measurable traction.As a Founder, you will bring the industry knowledge, customer insight, and vision. CipherPlay will work with you to identify and provide the startup support needed to move the venture forward, which may include technical development, financial planning, fundraising preparation, product strategy, operations, and ecosystem access.What You Will DoEstablish and communicate the vision for the new company.Turn your existing idea or early-stage solution into a clear and scalable business.Validate the market through customer discovery, research, pilots, and performance data.Define the product strategy, business model, and go-to-market approach.Work with CipherPlay’s technical and strategic resources to develop and launch the product.Build relationships with prospective customers, investors, partners, and industry stakeholders.Set company goals, priorities, budgets, and operating plans.Recruit and lead a strong founding team as the company grows.Represent the venture throughout Virginia and the surrounding business ecosystem.Adapt the product and business model based on customer feedback and measurable results.What We Are Looking ForAt least three years of professional experience in the industry your venture will serve.A strong record of success, leadership, or subject-matter expertise within that industry.An existing business idea, product, or service with some demonstrated validation or traction.A clear understanding of the problem being solved and the customers who experience it.A genuine commitment to founding and actively leading a company.The ability to build relationships with customers, partners, investors, and team members.Strong communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.A willingness to work collaboratively and accept feedback while maintaining ownership of the venture’s vision.Residence in Virginia or a meaningful connection to Virginia and the greater regional ecosystem.Helpful, but Not RequiredPrevious entrepreneurial, consulting, or early-stage company experience.Experience managing budgets, teams, products, or business units.An existing customer network or relationships within the target industry.Experience securing revenue, partnerships, pilots, or investment.Familiarity with product development and working with technical teams.What CipherPlay ProvidesDepending on the needs of the venture, CipherPlay may provide support with:Product and technical developmentMarket research and opportunity validationBusiness-model and go-to-market strategyFinancial planning and fundraising preparationInvestor, partner, and customer introductionsOperations, company formation, and resource planningRecruiting and founding-team developmentThis is an opportunity for experienced professionals who have already identified a promising market opportunity and are ready to build a company around it—with the right support, resources, and partners.