September 8 - 15, 2025 | New York

Welcome to Camp 385—the world’s first (and only) week-long summer camp slash startup accelerator that swaps boardrooms for bunk beds and pitches for campfire chats. We’re talking 7 days of intense, investor-ready training, balanced with lakeside games, and cocktails under the stars. Because let’s face it: traditional accelerators can be boring AF.

This is your chance to level up your venture and your life—friendships, fun, and FOMO guaranteed.

If you’re ready to have fun while getting real results, welcome to your new favorite place.

SERIOUS STARTUP RIGOR, DELIVERED PLAYFULLY.

Camp 385 is a focused, three-month founder bootcamp for idea-stage startups.

You’ll spend two months prepping remotely, one immersive week on-site at Camp Echo Lake in the Adirondacks—just four hours from NYC—and a final 30 days honing your plan with expert follow-up. It’s the perfect blend of hands-on guidance, real-world mentorship, and classic camp fun designed to propel your startup forward.

Real-Time Validation

Real-Time Validation

Propel your idea forward faster than ever with real-time input and practical exercises, ensuring your idea is truly market-ready.

You’ll validate your assumptions before you pour time or resources into further development.

Tangible Outcomes

Tangible Outcomes

On Camp, you’ll build your pitch deck from the ground up—ensuring you walk out with a polished, data-driven presentation that investors can’t ignore.

After Camp, you’ll present at our flagship Demo Day in New York City, where we bring in a curated group of angels, VCs, and family offices.

Hands-On Mentorship

1-1 Mentorship

Get hands-on mentorship from experienced founders and operators—known as “Co-Pilots”—who’ve built and scaled successful startups.

Each Co-Pilot is matched to your specific needs, guiding you through product decisions, user acquisition strategies, team building, and any personal hurdles you might face along the way. Think of them as your personal advisory board, committed to helping your startup soar.

A Community to Write Home About

A Community Worth Writing Home About

Nothing builds real camaraderie quite like summer camp, and here at Camp 385, you’ll forge bonds that last long after the sleeping bags are rolled away.

After all, building a startup can feel lonely. Once you’ve joined our community of campers, you’ll never have to go it alone again.

All Day Programming • 1:1 Mentorship • Immersive, Hands-On Acceleration • Happy Hours, Cocktails, & Authentic Networking • Curated Experiences • Adventure & Fun • Meaningful Connections • Nightly Social Activities… and so much more!

YOUR NEXT BREAKTHROUGH
STARTS HERE.

No fluff, no time-wasting, no nonsense. Just an immersive, high-energy environment designed to transform how you lead, create, and grow your venture.

We’re looking for driven, curious founders ready to dive in—and we’ll supply the bunk beds, bug spray, and life-changing connections.

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS

  • No more than 200 Founders: Because quality beats quantity. If you don’t grab your spot, someone else will.

  • All-In Commitment: It’s a full-on, one-week accelerator disguised as a summer camp. Show up ready to hustle, collaborate, and roast a mean s’more.

WHO IS CAMP FOR?

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

→ Teams or Solo Founders: Come on your own or bring your dream team—either way, you’ll find your tribe here.

→ 18+: We’re kids at heart, but you need to be above 18 to attend.

→ Any-Stage Idea: Scribbled on the back of a napkin, pre-seed, and seed ventures welcome.

→ 20+ Hours/Month Commitment: Camp requires some pre-work and post-work from July - October.

→ Worldwide Welcome: Founders from all countries can apply; just check if you need a visa first.

→ Culture Fit: Collaborative, open-minded individuals of all backgrounds who believe success can happen anywhere.

**Inclusivity Matters: We welcome founders of all backgrounds and experiences. Have special dietary or accessibility needs? We’ll work with you to make camp comfortable and fulfilling.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Then Camp 385 is calling.

Individuals

Build From Scratch—But Not Alone

If you’re aiming to build something impactful but need the right partner, we’ve got you covered.

Camp gather a select group of ambitious innovators so you can meet, learn, and co-create with people who share your drive. Join us, spark new ideas, and turn your vision into reality.

If you’ve already formed your team and are building something great, join our global ecosystem to take the next leap.

Connect with top mentors, fellow founders, and the dedicated resources you need to tackle challenges and scale on your own terms.

Teams

Already Have Your Wingmen?

HOW TO APPLY

Submit Your Application

1. Submit Your Application

We want to learn about your startup ambitions, challenges, or the problem you’re looking to solve.

Complete the online application here. We welcome any first-time Founder with a compelling idea and the drive to make it happen.

→ Early Bird Applications: Feb 12 – Apr 3, 2025

→ Standard Applications: Apr 4 – May 1, 2025

Pro Tip: We review applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing a spot.

Application Decision

2. Application Decision

Our admissions team evaluates each application for vision, founder commitment, and readiness. We look for determined first-timers who are eager to learn, collaborate, and bring bold solutions to life.

Rolling Reviews: You’ll get a decision within 1-3 weeks of applying.

Selection Criteria: Founder drive, clarity of idea, potential market impact.

We receive thousands of applications from across the world for each program.
→ We will notify you even if you haven’t been selected.

Confirm Your Spot

3. Confirm Your Spot

If you’re selected for Camp 385, you’ll have 14 days to secure your place by:

  • Paying a $500 Deposit
    This deposit reserves your seat and will be deducted from your total program fee.
  • Submitting your Essential Info Form
    We’ll use these details to pair you with the perfect Co-Pilot (mentor) and tailor your pre-camp experience.

Program Pricing

  • Early Bird Registration: $2,250 USD
  • Standard Registration: $2,750 USD

Important: If your deposit isn’t received by the deadline, we’ll have to release your spot to another founder on our waitlist.

Pre-Camp Prep

4. Pre-Camp Prep

To ensure you’re fully prepared for Camp, you’ll progress through the first 3 phases of the Camp Innovation Process.

In July, you’ll attend your first cohort-wide session, meet your Co-Pilot, and begin the pre-Camp prep work → all designed to set you up for success.

Foundational Research (Phase 1)
Validate your problem space through market analysis, customer interviews, and competitor benchmarking.

Initial Validation & Solution Preparation (Phase 2)
Test your core assumptions and develop early prototypes.

Business Model Exploration (Phase 3)
Outline your revenue streams, unit economics, and go-to-market strategies.

Camp 385

5. Camp 385

Once you arrive in New York City prior to September 8, you’ll join the rest of the cohort for a group departure to Camp 385 in upstate New York.

Over the next six days, you’ll immerse yourself in a transformative week of innovation, collaboration, and connection—all designed to push your venture toward real-world success.

You’ll walk away with 5 deliverables: a validated idea, a tailored business model, an investor-ready pitch, a network of trailblazers, and a roadmap of your next steps.

Post-Camp Support

6. Post-Camp Support

The Camp 385 experience doesn’t end once you leave upstate New York. Over the next 30 days, you’ll turn the insights, strategies, and connections you gained into real-world action:

  • Ongoing Co-Pilot Support
    Stay connected with your dedicated mentor for advice, accountability, and fresh perspectives.
  • Execution & Iteration
    Implement the plans you made at camp, refine them based on feedback, and adapt as needed.
  • Scaling Opportunities
    Identify growth channels, explore partnerships, and prepare for potential funding rounds.
  • Community Engagement
    Tap into our alumni network, attend virtual meetups, and continue exchanging learnings with fellow founders.

By the end of this phase, you won’t just have a vision—you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to build and scale a thriving business.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

The Venue

Just four hours from the hustle of NYC sits Camp Echo Lake, nestled within the breathtaking expanse of Adirondack Park.

By summer, it’s alive with kids running through pine-shaded trails and splashing in crystal-clear waters. For one transformative week, it’s ours.

We trade the concrete jungle for a secluded natural hideaway—our perfect HQ for big thinking, bold action, and serious fun.

PROGRAM FEES

EARLY BIRD

Fee: $2,250 USD (includes non-refundable $500 deposit)

Apply on or before: April 3, 2025

Who’s Eligible:

Anyone who applies before the cutoff date and is selected. Once accepted, payment must be completed within two weeks secure the Early Bird rate.

Balance Deadline: May 1, 2025

STANDARD

Fee: $2,750 USD (includes non-refundable $500 deposit)

Apply on or after: April 4, 2025

Availability:

Remains open until all slots are filled.

Balance Deadline: June 16, 2025

YOUR NEXT BIG IDEA AWAITS.

Got a business idea? We want to hear about it.

FAQs

Most common questions asked by founders—answered by the Wingman team!

  • Camp 385 is a pre-accelerator, designed to help early-stage founders validate their ideas and build a solid foundation for scaling. Unlike accelerators, which typically focus on startups with established traction and often include funding, Camp 385 emphasizes ideation, validation, and market readiness. Our goal is to prepare founders to confidently transition into a full-scale accelerator or launch their venture independently.

  • Camp 2030: Best for founders who are at the pre-idea stage but are passionate about tackling social or environmental challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

    Camp 385: Ideal if you already have a spark of an idea, or an early-stage concept in any industry, and want to sharpen your pitch, validate your business model further, and prep for investor conversations.

  • All program dates can be found here.

  • You don’t need a fully launched product or service. We’re looking for early-stage ideas with a clear problem statement, initial validation, and some evidence of customer interest or traction.

  • Absolutely! We welcome both solo founders and teams.

    If you’re applying as a team, one “lead applicant” will submit the main application—providing basic details about each member.

    Once that’s done, each team member will receive a short follow-up form to fill out, ensuring everyone’s information is captured accurately.

  • Yes! While the program is designed for first-time founders, we welcome applicants with some entrepreneurial experience if they meet the program’s focus and goals.

  • No. We’re a founder-first venture studio, which means we welcome bold ideas from any sector. As long as you have the ambition and drive to build something impactful, we’ll help you shape your idea and connect you with the resources you need to succeed.

  • Our Founder Camps receive anywhere from 3,000 - 7,000 applicants per cohort. We select participants based on their idea’s potential, commitment to the program, and alignment with Camp 385’s mission.

    We maintain a highly selective process, we encourage anyone who believes they’re a strong fit to apply.

  • We aim to review applications and send decisions within 3 weeks.

    Sometimes you’ll hear from us in just a few days—other times, we need the full review window to ensure we’re giving every application the attention it deserves.

    Team applicants will hear back within 3 weeks of their final team member submitting their application.

Have another question? Download our Field Guide.

  • Yes! Camp 385 is open to participants from around the world. However, travel arrangements and any necessary visas are the responsibility of the participant.

  • No. We do not sponsor visas to attend Camp 385.

    If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need to handle your own documents and travel arrangements. (Sorry!)

    Please note that we won’t be responding to sponsorship inquiries—thanks for understanding.

  • No, Wingman does not take equity in founders' businesses. As a pre-accelerator, our mission is to help founders refine and validate their ideas, equipping them with the tools to build scalable and impactful ventures without financial strings attached.

  • Yes! Founders retain full ownership of their ideas and intellectual property throughout and after the program. Camp 385 is designed to empower participants to build and validate their businesses, not to claim ownership or control over them.

  • Yes, but the program requires significant commitment, especially during the Pre-Camp and on-site phases. Many participants adjust their schedules to fully engage with the program.

  • The Pre-Camp phase requires 5-10 hours per week for research, deliverables, and mentor sessions. The more effort you invest, the more you’ll get out of the program.

  • If you’ve got an idea that won’t let go—or you know it’s your moment to launch a startup—you’ve got a hefty to-do list: find a co-founder, build a team, validate your concept, craft a business model, prepare a pitch deck, and connect with the right investors.

    Camp 385 brings you into a community of driven, like-minded founders who are just as ready to build as you are—cutting down on precious time spent searching for the perfect teammates and resources.

    Plus, when product-market fit happens early and things take off, vital fundamentals can get overlooked—like keeping a clean cap table, setting up the right board structure, and establishing solid financial foundations.

    By launching your company in a supportive environment, you’ll avoid those common pitfalls and set your startup up for long-term success from day one.

  • Investing in your business is an essential part of the startup journey and a valuable experience for every founder. We understand that startups often have limited funding and founders rarely have extra income, but the program fee is designed to provide immense value for the cost.

    This fee helps cover the expenses of accommodations, meals, program materials, mentorship, and workshops. By charging a fee, we ensure the program remains a non-equity model, so you retain full ownership of your ideas.

  • No—we’re unable to waive the fee for Camp 385.

    We know startups can be tight on funds, but investing in your venture is an essential part of the founder journey. The fee covers everything from accommodations and meals to program materials and mentorship—ensuring you retain full ownership of your ideas (no equity required).

  • Because spots fill quickly, selected founders have exactly 2 weeks from their selection date to confirm their place. If you miss that deadline, your seat will be offered to another deserving applicant, and we’re unable to make extensions. We appreciate your understanding!

  • Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to applicants.

“WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?”

We believe that if you have drive, ambition, and a bold idea, you can change the world.

The world needs founders—right now—to tackle its biggest challenges.

So why wait? Your time is now. Let’s turn your spark into something unstoppable.