Fertilab Thinkubator is a non-profit entrepreneurial incubator and community hub based in Eugene & Springfield, Oregon, USA that supports early-stage entrepreneurs with workspace, mentorship, community, and foundational business programming rather than acting as a traditional venture capital fund. 

Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed Support: Primarily helps very early-stage startups develop market understanding, business models, and investment readiness through coworking, mentoring, and educational programs.
Early Institutional: Does not typically participate directly in priced VC Series A or similar institutional rounds as an investor itself. 

Investment Amount and Percentage Equity (Company-Level)
Direct Capital: Fertilab Thinkubator does not operate like a VC or accelerator that issues cash checks in exchange for a fixed equity stake. There is no standard “$X for Y%” equity deal tied to participation in FertiLab’s incubator or pre-accelerator programs.
Equity Taken: As a non-profit incubator, Fertilab’s core offerings (space, mentoring, workshops) are provided without mandatory equity ownership. Any external investment that founders raise (e.g., from angels, VCs, or public funds) is negotiated between the founders and those investors — FertiLab itself does not claim quarters of ownership.
Industry Norm Context: In incubator settings like this, if equity is taken in any support context, it is typically highly negotiable and rare, and most incubators don’t take equity at all unless there is a separate investment vehicle or fund. 

Equity Structure:
• Workspaces, mentoring, and program participation do not equate to giving up shares to the incubator itself.
• If a startup subsequently raises capital from outside investors, that equity arrangement is independent of the Thinkubator’s programming — Fertilab does not standardize or impose ownership terms. 

Application / Submission Method
Submission Method: Engagement typically begins by becoming a member of the Fertilab community (coworking or incubator membership) or applying to structured programs such as the ID8 pre-accelerator — a short, hands-on series to help founders sharpen business models and pitch readiness.

Program Example:
• ID8 Pre-Accelerator: A participation-driven program for very early stage startups to test assumptions, build business model clarity, and prepare investor materials — this program does not provide official seed capital tied to equity. 

Sector Focus: Broad — tech, biotech, design, product development, and other entrepreneurial ventures are supported.
 Geography: Primarily startups based in Eugene, Springfield, or the broader Oregon community; accessible to founders who can participate in local programming. 
Stage: Very early stage (idea through initial customers or MVP), especially for those preparing for seed or accelerator stages. 
Team: Founders committed to building business fundamentals and engaging in mentorship and community learning. 

Initial Intake: Membership signup or program application to Fertilab’s incubator/pre-accelerator offerings.
 Program Screening & Selection: For pre-accelerator tracks like ID8, founders are screened for readiness and potential value from the curriculum.
 Mentoring & Skill Building: Ongoing mentorship, workshops, and networking are provided to support business development.
 Investor Positioning: Fertilab helps founders prepare materials and strategy to pursue funding from external sources, but it does not invest directly as a standard practice. 

Strategic Support: Workspace, mentoring, business development workshops, and community support conducive to early-stage growth.
 Network & Visibility: Connection to local founders, industry professionals, and community events that can enhance investment readiness.
Pre-Accelerator Training: Programs like ID8 support business model refinement and investor pitch preparation. 
Startup Ecosystem Access: Local ecosystem introductions, peer cohort support, and potential exposure to early investors via networking.