About 1616 Ignite
1616 Ignite is an 8-week online accelerator for U.S.-based, AI-driven founders ready to move fast. We invest early, provide hands-on mentorship, and teach you strategies to acquire your first customers and scale.
Cohort 2 is now open! Only up to 10 founders will be selected. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis - apply early!
.png)
Your First $15K to Ignite Your Startup
Get a $15K SAFE investment for 1% equity from 1616 Ignite.
Potential follow-on investment from 1616 Ventures - $85K for an additional 3% equity.
.png)
One-on-One Mentorship from Seasoned Investors
Work directly with the partners at 1616 for personalized, hands-on mentorship.
Tackle your biggest startup challenges with investor-backed insights.
Content That Actually Moves the Needle
8-weeks of content in an online program with expert-led workshops and startup resources.
Learn everything from incorporation to AI strategy and scaling.
.png)
A World-Class Founder Network
Join a selective, high-caliber cohort of AI-driven founders.
Tap into 1616 Ventures' powerful network of advisors and entrepreneurs.
An 8-Week Launchpad to Fundraise
Step-by-step guidance on pitching, term sheets, and investor strategy.
Get ready to fundraise with confidence.
Who Should Apply
AI-Driven Tech Founders - Innovators leveraging AI to build scalable, high-impact startups.
Builders with Big Ideas & Insider Knowledge - Founders with a unique, asymmetric advantage in their industry.
Startup Veterans Ready to Lead - Former key team members at high-growth startups, now stepping up as founders.
Relentless Executors & Hustlers - Fast movers who turn ideas into reality and thrive in high-speed environments.
Proven Talent, Hungry to Learn - You’ve done impressive things before and now you’re ready to build something big.
What It Takes to Join
.png)
Full Commitment
You’re ready to invest the time and energy needed to build and grow your company throughout the program.
.png)
U.S.-Based
We welcome applications from founders across the U.S only.
Active Participation
You’ll fully engage in all workshops, meetings, and check-ins (including in-person kickoff).
.png)
No Institutional Fundraising Yet
You have not tried fundraising yet and have a clean cap table.
Meet The Team
We have built up a successful track record of selecting, investing in, and supporting outstanding founders. 1616 Ignite is our accelerator program focused exclusively on early-stage, AI-driven founders across the US.
Partner - Miami, FL
Alex Nogueira
Alex is a seasoned global investor with over a decade of experience investing in and backing startups across the world. He started his career at Goldman Sachs, later serving as the Head of J.Mendes Investment Office in New York, building a strong network of top-tier American VCs and investing in several U.S.-based VC funds and startups. In 2022, Alex founded 1616 Ventures, investing in and advising early-stage, highly scalable tech startups. Alex holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from UFMG, a Master’s in Finance from HEC Paris, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a Master’s in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently expanding his expertise through a Executive Master’s in AI for Business at the University of Oxford.
Partner - Durham, NC
Pedro Mendonça (Mendy)
Mendy is an operator-turned-investor with entrepreneurial experience and expertise in marketing and operations. Mendy has held positions across a number of industries in companies such as AMBEV, BRG Capital, and Bausch Health Companies (formerly Probiotica - Valeant Pharmaceuticals). He later transitioned into tech, working in Sales & Marketing at Wellhub (formerly Gympass) and Product and Partner Marketing at DocuSign. He then became COO at Ânimo, a venture-backed wellness startup, before joining Alex to start 1616 Ventures in 2022. A Fundação Estudar scholarship recipient, Pedro holds a BA in Economics and International Studies from Yale University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Past 1616 Ignite Participants
Some of the startups that have participated in previous 1616 Ignite cohorts
Meet our Startup Network
Join a community of bold, AI-driven founders who are building the future.
Meet our Startup Network
Join a community of bold, AI-driven founders who are building the future.
