FOUNDER FAQ
Who we are
MoonshotNX
A founder-first, non-dilutive accelerator. You get masterminds and full course programming, a partner perk stack worth >$2.5M, plus a capital path that can include a $50K grant and, for eligible founders who complete advisory and are accepted, a STACK Note™ of up to $250K.
MaxNX
Our advisory + investor relations engine. Advisory builds your valuation, investor-grade deck, 3-statement financial model, data room, and investment/syndication memos. IR is a separate, invite-only track that runs live investor outreach.
Moonbase Foundation
The aligned foundation that awards the $50K non-dilutive grant and pays approved third-party providers directly for readiness work. Funds are not paid as cash to founders.
M1 Funds
Aligned regional funds that can invest via STACK Note™ (up to $250K) in Tier 2. In return for the investment, the funds receive up to 5% equity at onboarding. IR is guaranteed at 0% success fee at this tier.
Founder FAQ
1. What do I get for $3,499 (Tier 1)?
Masterminds + full course, perks & credits >$2.5M, consideration for a $50K grant, eligibility to apply for the $1Million STACK Note™ after grant + advisory, and IR consideration (5% success fee only if selected). If a $50K grant is awarded, Full MaxNX Advisory is delivered through the grant flow.
2. Are there payment plans?
Yes—PayPal Pay Later (subject to PayPal’s decision). No discounts apply when using PayPal Pay Later.
3. Do you take equity in Tier 1?
No. 0% equity.
4. Is the $3,499 refundable?
There is a 100% money-back guarantee if no grant is offered to your company after Lions Den. If a grant is offered and you accept it, once advisory begins there is no possibility of a refund (fees purchase access and services).
5. Who decides the $50K grant?
Our Lions Den/Capital Committee. Selection is competitive and based on readiness, traction, market, team, and clarity of use of funds.
6. What’s the real value of the advisory when awarded?
Typical market value $42,000–$55,000+ (valuations, investor-grade deck, financial model, data room, investment/syndication memos, compliance baselines, coaching).
7. What exactly is included in Full MaxNX Advisory?
Independent valuation(s) + internal review, investor-grade pitch assets (deck + one-pager), 3-statement model with sensitivities, investment & syndication memos, data-room build + QA, baseline legal/compliance/IP checks, and coaching.
8. Is the $50K grant guaranteed in Tier 1?
No. Tier 1 provides consideration, not a guarantee.
9. How do I qualify for Tier 2?
Complete Tier 1, be awarded the $50K grant, and finish advisory; then you may apply for Tier 2.
10. What happens in Tier 2?
On acceptance and completion of standard docs/KYC, the M1 funds invest up to $1M (One Million United States Dollars) via a STACK Note™. You also receive guaranteed IR.
11. What does “guaranteed up to $1M” mean?
The note amount—up to $1M—is committed at Tier-2 acceptance and released after standard documents and KYC are completed.
12. Why is there equity in Tier 2?
Yes - Tier 2 includes an investment from the M1 funds: STACK Note™ funding (up to $1M) for 5% equity.
13. What’s the IR fee if I remain in Tier 1?
If IR selects you from Tier 1, a 5% success fee applies only on capital we close.
14. Can I skip Tier 1 and go straight to Tier 2?
No. Tier 2 requires Tier-1 completion and the $50K grant.
15. Do you offer discount codes?
If you pay the $3,499 upfront, you may use a valid discount code at checkout. Discount codes do not apply if you choose PayPal Pay Later.
16. How do perks offset the fee?
The perk stack can be worth >$2.5M across partners. For example, $10,000 in AWS credits alone already exceeds the $3,499 entry fee.
17. Which geographies and sectors do you accept?
Global and sector-agnostic; regulated or sensitive sectors may require additional compliance.
18. How are grant funds used?
Grant funds are paid directly to approved third-party providers (valuation, legal, audit, compliance, IP, deck, etc.). They are not paid as cash to your company.
19. Can I choose my own vendors?
We use a pre-approved vendor list. Exceptions require prior approval.
20. How long does advisory take (when awarded)?
Most founders complete advisory within 2–6 weeks, depending on data completeness and responsiveness.
21. Are there cohorts?
No. We work 1-on-1 with each founder in small teams assigned to manage their advisory services and fundraising.
22. What if I’m not selected for the grant?
Then Full MaxNX Advisory is not delivered. You still get the accelerator, masterminds, and perks. You can engage MaxNX directly and pay out-of-pocket for advisory; our Moonshot founder portal will guide you.
23. Where can I see companies who’ve received grants?
Visit our LinkedIn for public congratulations posts and highlights. We protect founder confidentiality, avoid time-wasting calls, and only request information that moves your file forward.
24. If I’m accepted to Tier 2, when is equity issued?
Upfront at Tier-2 onboarding alongside STACK Note™ documentation and KYC. You also receive Maxnx IR services to raise and close the rest of your round free of charge.
25. If I bring my own investors, do you charge a fee?
No fee on capital you source yourself.
26. What happens if I’m selected for IR from Tier 1?
You’ll sign the IR engagement; the 5% success fee applies only to capital we close.
27. What proof points can I share publicly?
Over 2,000 global founders active. 97% of founders who applied for grants received them. 82% of grantees applied for and received a STACK Note.
Tier 2 — STACK Note (up to $1,000,000) + IR
1. What is Tier 2?
After you complete Tier 1, receive the $50K grant, and finish advisory, you can apply for Tier 2. If accepted, you receive a committed STACK Note of up to $1,000,000, plus a dedicated MaxNX IR team to run your round.
2. How is the “up to $1,000,000” commitment delivered?
Via a warrant-backed commitment issued by our M1 funds. The commitment is valid for 12 months and funds at your primary round close (alongside other investors), subject to standard closing conditions (final docs, KYC/AML, company in good standing, minimum round size, no material adverse change).
3. What does the warrant actually do?
The warrant locks the funding commitment for up to $1,000,000 and sets the settlement mechanics at close. At closing, M1 wires the STACK Note proceeds.
4. Is funding guaranteed in Tier 2?
The commitment is in place (up to $1,000,000) for 12 months, subject to standard closing conditions.
5. Can I skip Tier 1 and go straight to Tier 2?
No. Tier 2 requires Tier-1 completion, $50K grant, and advisory.
6. What if my round doesn’t close within 12 months?
If no qualified round closes within 12 months, the Tier-2 commitment and related warrant expire. You can re-apply when you’re ready.
IR & Investors
1. What does the dedicated IR team do?
Investor mapping, narrative/memo refinement, outbound outreach, meeting setup, weekly pipeline reporting, coordination through diligence to signatures and wiring.
2. Do I pay anything extra if I bring my own investors?
No separate fee beyond the single 5% of the total round described in Tier 2. (Tier-1 founders selected to IR outside Tier-2 follow the standard 5% success-fee rule.)
3. When does IR start?
After advisory is complete and your Tier-2 application is accepted (or, for Tier-1 IR selection, on signing the IR engagement).
General FAQs
1. What capital sources can Moonshot open?
A $50K grant (non-dilutive), M1 funds via STACK Note™ (up to $1M), and broader investor access to our databse of &)K+ investors globally through MaxNX IR.
2. Do you take equity for the $50K grant?
No. The grant is non-dilutive.
3. Is the grant cash to my bank?
No. It funds readiness work with vetted providers. Payments go directly to providers.
4. Who approves grant spend?
The Moonbase Foundation approves and pays providers in line with the grant plan.
5. Can grant funds cover tech, pilots, or IP?
Yes—if they clearly support investor readiness and are approved.
6. What are the must-have documents for advisory?
Corporate docs, cap table, financials, product materials, IP status, customer evidence, KYC IDs, and brand assets for the deck/memo.
7. How do you handle inflated valuations or weak data?
We set a defensible valuation range. If a founder won’t align to defensible metrics, IR eligibility pauses.
8. What compliance checks are run before Tier 2?
KYC/AML, sanctions screening, corporate good standing, IP red flags, and finance review sign-off.
9. How are investor updates handled during IR?
Weekly or bi-weekly updates on outreach, meetings, and pipeline movement, plus strategic adjustments as needed.
10. Does Moonshot charge a success fee?
No. Moonshot doesn’t charge success fees.
11. Do I need a Delaware C-Corp?
No. We support global structures, though many investors prefer Delaware for U.S. rounds.
12. Do you require exclusivity?
No. You can work with other credible partners.
13. Can I re-apply for the grant if declined?
Yes—you may apply up to 2 times via the founder portal.
14. What is the STACK Note™?
An investment instrument issued by the M1 funds, tailored for speed and alignment. Terms are finalized during Tier-2 acceptance.
15. When does IR start?
After advisory completion. For Tier-1 founders selected into IR, outreach typically begins within a few weeks. Tier-2 founders receive guaranteed IR once onboarding is complete.
16. How long does IR last?
Typically a 6-month initial cycle, extendable if the raise is active and productive.
17. Do you run demo days?
We run private Lions Den and curated investor roundtables. Demo-style showcases are optional and occasional.
18. What raise sizes do you support?
From early rounds around $250K to later raises of many millions. The largest raise Maxnx has supported to date was a Series T raise of $1 Billion in 2023.
19. How do perks activate?
Perks are partner-provided. You’ll activate what you need via the portal; value varies by eligibility and usage.
20. What’s your stance on founder time and confidentiality?
We minimize meetings, ask only for what’s essential, and keep sensitive information confidential. Public posts appear only when mutually approved or already public.