Forja offers six partnership roles: judge, mentor, sponsor, venue partner, media partner, and industry partner. Partners gain access to vetted Home Improvement startups and ecosystem visibility across the Design Glyphe LLC product ecosystem.
Become a Partner
Help build the infrastructure that supports the next generation of Home Improvement startups. Six partnership roles, one shared mission.
How you can get involved
Six ways to contribute to Forja and the Home Improvement startup ecosystem.
Judges
Evaluate contestant deliverables across all three phases. Judges account for 40% of the advancement composite score alongside market validation (60%).
- Home Improvement industry leaders
- Startup investors with sector experience
- Successful founders in the trades
Mentors
Provide hands-on guidance to competing startups during both stages. Mentors are matched by subsector expertise and founder needs.
- Operators with 10+ years in Home Improvement
- Marketing and growth specialists
- Supply chain and logistics experts
Sponsors
Fund the competition infrastructure, prize pool, and contestant resources. Sponsors receive brand visibility across all competition media and events.
- Home Improvement product manufacturers
- SaaS companies serving the trades
- Financial services and insurance providers
Venue Partners
Provide physical spaces for Stage Two, the 12-week live competition. Venues host production, workspaces, and Boardroom sessions.
- Conference and event centers
- Co-working spaces with production capabilities
- University or innovation hubs
Media Partners
Amplify the competition through coverage, streaming, and content distribution. Media partners help bring Forja to a global audience.
- Industry publications and trade media
- Podcast networks and content creators
- Streaming and broadcast platforms
Industry Partners
Connect contestants with real supply chains, distribution channels, and customer networks within the Home Improvement ecosystem.
- Trade associations and professional bodies
- Distributor and retailer networks
- Material suppliers and wholesalers
What you get
Partnering with Forja means access to a curated pipeline of execution-focused Home Improvement startups and visibility across an entire ecosystem.
Access to vetted startups
Every contestant has been screened for execution capability and market readiness. Partners get first access to the next generation of Home Improvement businesses.
Brand visibility
Your brand appears across the competition's digital presence, livestreams, social content, and event materials. Real exposure to a targeted audience.
Ecosystem integration
Forja feeds into Integrity Pilot, IIDE, and B2B Core Services. Partnering with one product means visibility across the entire Design Glyphe ecosystem.
Shape the industry
Help define what excellence looks like in Home Improvement. Partners influence judging criteria, mentorship focus areas, and industry standards.
Investment pipeline
Top finishers receive SAFE investment. Partners who are investors get priority deal flow from competition alumni and the broader ecosystem.
Content and storytelling
Every competition produces compelling content. Partners are woven into the narrative through interviews, features, and behind-the-scenes coverage.
How it works
From first contact to active partnership in four straightforward steps.
Express interest
Submit a partner inquiry through the form below. Tell us about your organization and how you would like to be involved.
Discovery call
We will schedule a 30-minute call to understand your goals, explore alignment, and discuss partnership options.
Proposal review
We will send a tailored partnership proposal based on our conversation, including scope, deliverables, and mutual commitments.
Agreement and onboarding
Once aligned, we formalize the partnership and onboard you into the Forja ecosystem with clear timelines and touchpoints.
Interested in partnering?
We are actively building our partner network for the first Forja cohort. Whether you are a potential judge, mentor, sponsor, venue partner, or media outlet, we would like to hear from you.