Scaling in the U.S.? Amplify your brand in strategic US regions with MFG.

Media capital also known as media for equity is a financing option that allows founders to accelerate their growth through significant advertising in exchange for an equity stake in the business

‍

The MFG program is a specialized media program for growth-stage consumer brands to amplify reach and optimize their marketing costs using the power of media capital investments.

• Simplification: Connect your brand story with regional and international media through a single contact

• Streamline: One single entity on the cap table; flexible ticket sizes‍

• ‍Brand Support: Strategic advice on media planning & brand building by a dedicated team with media expertise

The application process is a 3-step process.

• Fill out our online Application Form

• We may request additional documents, such as pitch decks or financial statements, to better assess your startup's potential

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to delve deeper into their business

• The finalists will be announced four weeks before the start of the program. They will be required to sign MFG’s Media Capital SAFE Note and the SAFE Note for Services to confirm participation

• Growth-stage consumer brands planning to scale in the USA (including USA-based startups) and who are serious about brand-building

• Revenue-generating (>50% YoY growth), that have a proven business model

• Seeking investment in the next 6-9 months with growing marketing spending

• Relevancy for the end consumer in the mass market or strong niche markets, that we can reach and address via both traditional and digital channels

• Sector-agnostic. Some of the most popular focus areas we cover: Travel, Gen AI, Sports, Femtech, Financial Services, Edtech, e-commerce, consumer goods

• The program lasts for four weeks.

• It kicks off with a 4-day in-person sprint, where you’ll participate in dedicated workshops on media planning and media capital fundraising sessions. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect directly with our media partners, attend networking events, and take part in reverse investor sessions to meet consumer-focused investors.

• Over the following two weeks, we’ll work with you to refine your media plan and investment case. You’ll have access to on-demand digital support materials and participate in live sessions on creative production, measurement and attribution, and insights into regional consumer trends. In Week 4, we wrap up the program with the MFG Gathering, a large event where you’ll present live to media investors and VCs.
  

MFG Program is a hybrid program. The first week and the end of program event take place in New York City. The rest of the sessions are scheduled virtually and founders don’t need to relocate.

In addition to the four in-person days during the first week of the program and one day during the MFG Gathering during Week 4, founders can expect three to five hours/per week of scheduled virtual content during the two remote weeks. Discussions with the MFG team, media planners, and media partners will happen ad-hoc throughout the program.

• Campaign execution including media strategy & planning. Our dedicated media planning team will work with you on developing a media plan, looking to optimise marketing costs and integrate digital and traditional media strategies. ‍

• Complementary market insights analyses. We provide free tailored media reports and analyses that otherwise would cost thousands of dollars, so you can assess your competitors’ media spending, understand the media landscape in your target markets, and analyze your target audience’s latest shopping behaviors in your sector. ‍

• A minimum of $500,000 in media credits funding. MFG is the first Program to ever issue a Media Capital Safe Note. We invest a minimum of $500,000 in media credits in every company on standard terms via an open, Post-Money Valuation Cap SAFE Note. A copy is available on the MFG website for founders to review before applying to the program.

• ‍Networking and Fundraising Support. You gain access to consumer Investors through a range of dedicated networking events and reversed investors presentations to better understand their funds’ thesis and save you days by concentrating on the top most relevant investors for your stage and sector.

• MFG invests a minimum of $500,000 in media credits in every company on standard terms via an open, Post-Money Valuation Cap SAFE Note. The final SAFE Note value is to be determined during the 4-weeks inside the program, following a media plan mutually agreed between you and MFG. The media credits can be applied with a single media partner or multiple partners.

• Why an open safe note? Because we want to offer founders flexibility without pressure and the opportunity to structure the perfect media campaign. At the end of the 4 weeks, you may decide to use the $500,000 in media credits or scale it to a larger campaign.

‍

All the valuable support we provide - from media planning and market reports to media capital investment, or investor connections during MFG events and workshops —comes at no direct cost to our founders. All the effort and resources we put into creating this program and working with brands is structured as a $50,000 SAFE Note, which is convertible into equity at your next funding round.

The program provides a range of resources and support, including mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and media experts, access to workshops and educational materials, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and introductions to relevant investors.

‍

The number of startups accepted into the program may vary based on capacity and our program requirements. However, we strive to maintain a manageable cohort size of up to 10 to ensure personalized attention and meaningful interactions.

We welcome startups at different stages of funding, including those who are bootstrapping.