Please read all of this before applying.
Are there any off-market or standard deal terms?
No. All deals are done on individual market terms, and there is no cost to be here if you get in.
What categories do you invest in?
We’re category indifferent and interested in everything. It’s much more about who we’re investing in. We look for founders who couldn’t care less about the hype of venture capital, and choose to put their customers on a pedestal instead. We want to meet the junkyard dogs. The complete maniacs who are absorbed with a problem, and will not give in, ever.
Check Size?
Our avg check is $350k, but we sometimes invest as low as $100k or up to $500k.
Do you lead?
Depends on the round, but yes we lead and can also follow. We don’t lead priced rounds, but we’re comfortable being the first check in, setting a cap, and leveraging our network to help close your round.
Do all co-founders need to come together?
Yes, we deeply believe in the importance of co-founders building together in person.
What about the rest of the team?
Early team members are absolutely welcome and encouraged to come as well, but it’s not required. Many of our teams have hybrid remote teams.
What do you mean by move?
Move to the middle of nowhere with regard to tech (Chattanooga), work out of Brickyard, and leave everything on the field until reaching the revenue/ARR target you came here to hit. $1m in run rate is the minimum target, but this number is different for every team.
How long do teams stay in Brickyard?
On average, teams are here for 24 months. Brickyard has a buy-in of reaching $1m revenue here. There are no binding terms— the spirit of Brickyard is a forcing function. Most choose to reach a bigger number here.
How do Brickyard Partners engage with teams while we’re here?
All five Brickyard GPs are founder/operators w/ exits and we’re here every day we are in town. We are not an accelerator, so have no programming or standing meetings, but we are available 24/7 and become very close with all our teams. We prefer to stay out of strategy entirely, and focus on tactical stuff when our founders want it.
What does the off-ramp look like?
When a team hits their target and is ready to move out, we help with the transition. If a team is kicking off a new raise, we make introductions to relevant VCs, alums, and other founders who can help. If you’re moving to another city to be near customers or talent, we will exhaust our contacts for intros.
Do you take international teams?
Yes, but Visas must allow for at least 1 year unbroken in the US to be considered. VISAs (01s or comparable are preferred) must be completed or near completion before we can consider an application.
If we get into YC while in Brickyard, can we go through their program?
Yes. We’ve invested in many teams both pre and post YC. We can help with subleasing housing while in the batch, and allow for teams move back in afterwards.
How many teams work in the Yard daily?
+/- 20 teams at a time. We have a revolving door, and most of our teams who roll out come back often for executive off-sites / deep work. Once you are in Brickyard, you’re in for life!
Do you have to be in the portfolio (or a guest of a portco) to be in Brickyard?
Yes, it is fully private to our portcos only. We are not open to the public, but our teams bring in other founders and teams all the time.
Is it open 24/7?
Yes, all members have FOB access to our facilities around the clock.
What’s The Yard like?
A 100 year old Persian rug warehouse building with 11 call-boxes, 7 private breakout rooms, large conference room, gym, showers, steam, sauna, ice bath, coffee, snacks/emergency food, 12,000 sq/ft of workspace, pickleball court, and rooftop + pool.
What do you have in the gym?
3x / week group personal trainer, squat racks, benches, rings, dumbbells, kettlebells, rowing machine, stair-master, peloton treadmill & bike, pull up bars, box jump, ropes, heavy-bag, speed-bag, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, etc.
Where do founders live?
Apartments, houses or in Brickhouse— our 11 bedroom furnished founder house that’s move-in ready.
How does the founder carry work?
Ownership in the GP is vested/granted after founders are here for 1 year. Every founder we back has upside in every other company in their active fund.
Why would you do that?
We want our founders to have upside in each other, and have some monetary incentive to refer us the very best.
Are there cohorts?
No, we invest in new teams on a rolling basis, and prefer they be here within 60 days post-investment.
What are the rules?
No rules, just a commitment to put in the work.
Why Chattanooga, TN?
It’s away from the noise and fairly inconvenient for almost all our teams (feature not a bug!), which filters out founders who aren’t in it for the right reasons. CHA is one of the world’s truly special places though.
Does this have anything to do with economic development?
No. We’re not trying to build our startup ecosystem or recruit you to HQ here. It’s just about founders going faster.
How selective are you?
We reviewed 7,000+ decks last year, and invested in 12. We typically invest in 10-12 new companies/yr.
What’s your process like?
Standard diligence (usually 2-3 weeks back and forth although sometimes faster), background checks, reference checks, portfolio back-channeling, and an in-person final partner meeting where we fly you in & cover costs. This is as much about you getting to experience Brickyard in person and meet all the founders in the space before deciding if you want to be here. A pass, or term sheet is typically given that same day.