Fall 2026 · Cohort 02 · Applications Open July 1

Apply to the
Legacy Builder Cohort.

This is a selective 12-week incubator for serious creative founders. Seats are intentionally limited. We review every application individually and reach out to high-fit founders first.

📅Fall 2026 · Opens July 1
🏛Up to 15 Founders
💰Sliding Scale · Scholarships Available
📍Hybrid · Tempe & Zoom
Who Should Apply

Built for Serious Creative Founders.

TOM Enterprise does not serve everyone — and that's intentional. We keep cohort size small so every founder gets real attention, real feedback, and real accountability. If you fit the profile below, we want to hear from you.

Creative solopreneurs and founders — designers, artists, photographers, writers, musicians, coaches, stylists, and other creative-economy builders in or connected to Arizona.
First-generation and career-transitioning entrepreneurs — people who are serious and coachable but may lack access to expensive private accelerators or MBA programs.
Founders at any stage — whether you have a brand new idea, a side hustle you want to grow, or an existing business you need to restructure and reposition.
Available to commit 6–8 hours per week — weekly sessions, homework, and mentor touchpoints require real time. This is not a passive experience.
Application · Fall 2026 Cohort

Tell Us About Your Legacy.

This application takes about 10–15 minutes. Be direct and specific — vague answers score lower than honest, detailed ones. There are no wrong answers, only incomplete ones.

Applications for Fall 2026 open July 1, 2026. You can submit this form now and we will review it on and after opening day. High-fit founders receive priority outreach within 5 business days.

Pricing tier you're considering *

All tiers receive the same quality and attention. This helps us plan — no commitment is made here.

Transparency in Admissions

How We Review Every Application.

TOM uses a framework we call Surgical Logic — 8 criteria, scored 1–5 each, for a maximum of 40 points. The goal is not perfection. The goal is fit, readiness, and potential.

Criterion 01 Clarity of Vision

How clearly can you articulate what you're building and why it matters?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 02 Stage of Business

Where are you now — and is this the right time for the full cohort experience?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 03 Time Commitment

Can you realistically commit 6–8 hours per week across 12 weeks?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 04 Coachability

Are you open to receiving direct feedback and changing your approach based on it?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 05 Resource Fit

Does your current resource situation align with one of our three pricing tiers?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 06 Arizona Alignment

Are you building in or connected to Arizona's creative economy?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 07 Brand Readiness

Is your creative identity developed enough to benefit from brand development work?

Scored 1–5
Criterion 08 Legacy Intent

Are you building for long-term impact — not just income — and do your answers show it?

Scored 1–5
32–40 Priority Outreach

Reached out to within 5 business days of application review.

24–31 Standard Outreach

Reviewed and responded to within 2 weeks of opening day.

16–23 Waitlist

Kept on file for future cohorts or workshops. Encouraged to reapply.

0–15 Not a Current Fit

Respectfully declined with guidance toward next steps or other resources.

Common Questions

Your Questions, Answered.

No. Founders at all stages apply — from early idea stage to established businesses that need restructuring. What matters is that you have a clear creative direction and the commitment to develop it. Clarity of vision is one of eight scoring criteria, so a partial idea articulated honestly scores better than a vague one dressed up to sound complete.
TOM uses a sliding-scale model with three tiers: Standard (full rate), Sliding Scale (approximately 50% reduced), and Scholarship ($0). Exact tier pricing is confirmed during your discovery call after your application is reviewed. All tiers receive the same quality of instruction, mentorship, and experience. No one is asked to prove or justify their financial situation publicly.
Each week includes a 2-hour group session (hybrid — in Tempe or Zoom), a structured homework assignment tied to that week's focus, and bi-weekly 1-on-1 mentor touchpoints throughout the program. Total time commitment is approximately 6–8 hours per week including session time, independent work, and optional peer accountability check-ins.
TOM Enterprise is an Arizona-focused nonprofit. Priority is given to founders who live in Arizona or are actively building within the Arizona creative economy. If you are outside Arizona but have a meaningful connection to the Arizona creative community, note that in your application — Arizona alignment is one of our eight scoring criteria and partial connection still scores positively.
Attendance is taken seriously because the cohort model depends on every founder showing up for each other — not just for themselves. Life happens, and one missed session can be managed. Patterns of absence are addressed directly and may affect your ability to complete the program and present at Demo Day. This expectation is outlined clearly in your service agreement before you enroll.
Scholarship seats are fully subsidized by TOM Enterprise through grants, standard-tier fees, and donor support. There is no repayment obligation. In exchange, scholarship recipients are expected to complete the program, participate fully, and contribute their story to TOM's impact reporting — with their permission — to help secure future funding for future founders.
Applications for Fall 2026 open July 1, 2026. After that date, high-fit applicants (scoring 32–40 on the Surgical Logic framework) receive outreach within 5 business days. All other applicants receive a response within 2 weeks of the opening date. If you submitted before July 1, your application is held and reviewed from opening day forward.
Your Seat Is Waiting

Serious Founders Only.
Apply When Ready.

If you've read this far, you already know whether TOM is the right room for you. The application is open. The seats are limited. The work is real.

Submit Your Application → Book a Discovery Call First Explore All Programs