Build With Us

Most startups fail because they guess what users want.
Schlep Labs doesn’t guess. We embed.

We match exceptional technical founders with real-world operators.
A paid embedded residency provides access to daily workflows and pain points. Founders uncover problems from the inside, build solutions that matter, and spin out startups with baked-in founder-market fit.

Our focus is on industries tech still overlooks.
Hotels, construction firms, factories, logistics. Massive markets that founders rarely see from the inside. Where tools haven't kept up, and the problems are still real.

Why It Works

• Embedded insight – Founders work inside real problems, not inside a Figma frame.
• Low lift, high value – No disruption. Just builders quietly fixing what's broken.
• Real tools, not research – Every solution starts from the workflow and ships with traction.
• Aligned incentives – Founders build a startup. Host companies keep the tool. Schlep Labs and hosts hold equity. Everyone wins.

Founders Build

From the inside out.

• You’re paid to learn from the inside
• You build the MVP in the field
• When something works, it spins out—you’re the founder
• We back you with funding, strategy, and momentum
• You leave with traction, not just an idea

The fastest path to founder-market fit? Do the work.

Operators Collaborate

From duct tape to deep tech.

• You pay nothing
• You keep the tool—even if no startup is formed
• When a startup spins out, you get equity
• Minimal disruption. Maximum upside.

You don’t need to disrupt your business. Just open the door.

Who It’s For

Founders who:

• Are technically strong and endlessly curious
• Prefer observing over assuming
• Want to build something useful before something flashy
• Aren’t afraid to sweep the floors first. (And build the AI shop vac after.)

Host companies that:

• Operate in the real world, not the cloud
• Want better tools but don’t know where to start
• See the value in quiet, thoughtful innovation
• Are open to being part of a founder’s origin story

This Isn’t for Everyone

We’re looking for founders willing to step into the grit to make something great.
And host companies who value curiosity and conviction. Not comfort and control.

Schlep Labs isn’t about what trends.
We help build what works.

Industries We Love

• Construction & Skilled Trades
• Hospitality & Lodging
• Logistics & Field Services
• Light Industrial & Manufacturing
• Property Ops & Maintenance
• Labor-Intensive Sectors (Ag, Healthcare Ops, Events)

Why Now

• The hype cycle has cooled – Startups are being built with empathy, not ego.
• VCs want traction – Not decks, not hype. Real work.
• AI shrinks the MVP timeline – Observed pain becomes a product—fast.
• Founder-market fit is the new baseline – Schlep Labs doesn't hope for it. We engineer it.
• Specialized tools are outperforming – From field service CRMs to jobsite robotics, the landscape is changing fast.

Ready to Build?

If you’re ready to build together—we’re ready to get started.