| name | inclist |
| description | Build a prioritized list of entrepreneur-support programs to target from the active startup profile. Usage: /inclist. Reads STARTUP_PROFILE.md, researches the accelerator/incubator/grant landscape, and produces a tiered list of 12–20 programs ranked by fit with rationale and a suggested application angle. Saves to inclist.md. |
| license | MIT |
| compatibility | Requires Claude Code with WebSearch and WebFetch. Internet connection required. |
| allowed-tools | WebSearch WebFetch Read Write |
| metadata | {"author":"3Flux","version":"1.0","workflow-step":"2 — run after /incstrat to research the program landscape"} |
/inclist — Program Target List Builder
Research the entrepreneur-support landscape — accelerators, incubators, venture studios, fellowships, and non-dilutive grant programs — and produce a ranked pipeline of 12–20 programs tiered by fit with the active startup profile.
Invocation
/inclist
No argument needed — reads STARTUP_PROFILE.md from the current working directory.
Execution Steps
Step 1 — Load Startup Context
Read STARTUP_PROFILE.md. Extract and hold in context:
- Sector and category (deep tech, energy, climate, AI, SaaS, hardware, etc.)
- Stage (idea / prototype / MVP / revenue) and what gap a program would close
- Business model and whether it's capital-intensive (hardware/deep tech) or capital-light (software)
- Geography (and whether the founder can/will relocate)
- Whether IP is central (patents, research spin-out) — points toward non-dilutive and university programs
- Traction signals (revenue, pilots, grants, government partnerships)
- Team composition and any gap a venture studio or incubator could fill
- Whether the founder needs capital, customers, credibility, co-founders, or a forcing function most
If STARTUP_PROFILE.md does not exist, stop and tell the user to create it first.
Step 2 — Research the Program Landscape
Use WebSearch (and WebFetch on program websites) to identify programs that match. Run searches across multiple angles:
- Sector-specific accelerators:
accelerator "<sector>" cohort equity application 2025 2026
- Stage-matched programs:
pre-seed accelerator OR incubator "<sector>" non-dilutive 2026
- Non-dilutive / grant programs:
<sector> SBIR STTR OR DOE OR NSF OR state grant program startup
- University / regional programs:
<geography> university venture program OR incubator OR economic development startup
- Vertical / mission programs:
"<sector>" fellowship OR studio deep tech OR climate OR hard tech founders
For each promising program found, quickly verify:
- Stage and sector match
- Whether it is currently running cohorts (last batch within ~18 months)
- Equity / cost structure (equity-for-cash, fee-based, free, grant)
- Whether it offers what the founder actually needs (capital vs. customers vs. credibility)
Step 3 — Score and Tier Each Program
Rank programs across five dimensions:
- Gap fit — does it close the specific gap from
/incstrat (not just "looks prestigious")?
- Stage fit — is the founder at the stage this program selects for, right now?
- Cost of capital — equity/fee given up vs. value delivered (non-dilutive ranks higher, all else equal)
- Cohort comps — has it graduated comparable companies that actually progressed?
- Access path — is there a warm referral, alum, or mentor connection available?
Step 4 — Produce inclist.md
Write the output to inclist.md in the current working directory using this structure:
# Program Target List: [Startup Name]
_Generated: [date] | Stage: [stage] | Primary gap to close: [gap]_
---
## Tier 1 — Apply Now
*Strong gap fit + correct stage + acceptable terms. Prioritize the application within 2 weeks.*
### [Program Name]
- **Type**: [Accelerator / Incubator / Venture studio / Grant / Fellowship]
- **Terms**: [equity % + cash, fee, or non-dilutive — be specific]
- **Why**: [2–3 bullets — the specific gap it closes, a comparable graduate, or mentor/investor access]
- **Access angle**: [open application / referral via [name] / alum intro / mentor nomination]
- **Run /incposer first**: Yes / Already done (link if exists)
[Repeat for 4–6 programs]
---
## Tier 2 — Strengthen First
*Good fit but you'd be under-competitive now, or terms need a proof point to justify. Apply after [milestone].*
### [Program Name]
- **Type**: [type] · **Terms**: [terms]
- **Why**: [2–3 bullets]
- **What to wait for**: [specific milestone before applying]
[Repeat for 4–6 programs]
---
## Tier 3 — Monitor
*Stage mismatch, weak terms, or unclear value. Revisit later or skip.*
### [Program Name]
- **Why eventually**: [1–2 bullets]
- **Blocker**: [what would need to change]
- **Revisit when**: [milestone or date]
[Repeat for 3–5 programs]
---
## Pipeline Summary
- Total programs identified: [N]
- Tier 1 (apply now): [N]
- Non-dilutive options in pipeline: [N] — *(these protect your cap table; weight them up)*
- Application deadlines in next 90 days: [list program → deadline]
- Warm access paths available: [list names and who connects them]
- Suggested first application order: [Program 1] → [Program 2] → [Program 3]
After Producing inclist.md — Baloney Pre-Filter
Once the list is written, tell the user to run /incposer <program name> on every Tier 1 program before committing application time:
"Before running /incmatch on any of these, run /incposer <program name> to verify the program actually serves founders and isn't a vanity or coordination-overhead program. Programs scoring below 40 should be dropped. Programs scoring 40–59 should move to Tier 2 (only worth it with a warm path). Only proceed to /incmatch for programs scoring 60 or above."
Output Rules
- Every program must include its real terms (equity, fee, or non-dilutive) — vague "supports startups" is not enough
- Cite the source of program/cohort information inline (e.g., "per their 2025 cohort page")
- Prefer non-dilutive and customer-access programs over demo-day-only accelerators when stage and gap are equal — note the reasoning
- Do not include programs with obvious stage mismatches unless there is a specific strategic reason noted
- Warm access paths take priority in the suggested order — always surface them
- Flag if any Tier 1 program already has an
/incmatch report saved in the current directory
