We partner with would-be founders on “day minus one” to build exceptional companies.

Sisu is a founder friendly incubation fund, founded by Ari Mir.

[ see’ - soo] · Finnish

Extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity. An action mindset which enables individuals to reach beyond their present limitations, and against all odds transform barriers into frontiers. An integral element of Finnish culture and also the entrepreneurial spirit.

  • Sisu is a founder-friendly incubator that partners with aspiring entrepreneurs from the earliest stages, often referred to as "day minus one." Our goal is to help founders maximize their potential by providing guidance and support through crucial decisions made during the first twelve months. This includes assistance with cofounder pairings, fundraising, and establishing a solid foundation for long-term value creation.

    Sisu was founded by Ari Mir, a seasoned entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in the technology sector. Ari has successfully founded three venture-backed companies, two of which generate over $100 million in annual revenue and employ more than 1,000 people.

    At Sisu, we prioritize the founders' vision and autonomy. We do not consider ourselves cofounders and will not occupy board seats. After the initial twelve-month period, Sisu transitions into a more traditional advisory role, continuing to provide valuable support and guidance for the startup's ongoing success.

  • Sisu employs a dedicated team of talent principals and scouts who search the globe for the brightest technologists and aspiring entrepreneurs. We carefully select only twenty founders per year through a rigorous admissions process, enabling us to provide personalized, high-touch support for each participant.

    At Sisu, we collaborate closely with founders to form teams, brainstorm business opportunities, and navigate the challenges of the first twelve months of company formation. This hands-on approach increases the likelihood of success for each startup. Our support is offered free of charge and without commitment until all parties agree on a promising opportunity. At that point, Sisu makes a small investment and formally provides twelve months of comprehensive support before transitioning into a more traditional advisory role.

  • While it's true that you can start a company independently, the startup world is characterized by uncertainty and a high rate of failure. Among venture-backed startups, which represent only a small portion of the market, merely 3 out of 100 companies achieve success. As a founder, it's essential to seize every opportunity to improve your chances.

    Ari has defied the odds, achieving success 2 out of 3 times. By joining Sisu, you will receive direct coaching and mentorship from Ari throughout the critical first twelve months of your startup journey. He will guide you through every significant decision, from cofounder pairing to brand identity development. After the initial twelve months, Ari will continue to support you in a more traditional advisory role, helping you maximize your chances of success. View the first year’s curriculum here.

    "Good entrepreneurs don't like risk; they seek to reduce risk...Starting a company is already risky, and then you systematically eliminate risk step by step in those early days...you kind of need to systematically identify risk and then as the company gets bigger and more robust, you can start taking risks again, but in those early days a lot of it is about 'okay I have a good idea, how do we reduce risk?” - Jeff Bezos