IgniteAI

General · Platform User Guides

Roles & Applications

Published 24 March 2026By Jordan Morris

IgniteAI is a role-based community. Everyone on the platform has a role — and your role determines what you can do, who you can connect with, and how the platform works for you.

You complete basic onboarding first, then apply for one or more roles. Each role application is reviewed and approved by an IgniteAI admin.

The Five Roles

Founder

A Founder is building an AI-driven startup and wants to grow it faster with the support of the community.

What Founders can do:

  • Create and manage a startup profile
  • Post startup updates (Progress, Milestones, Seeking Help, Announcements)
  • Join squads and participate in the squad feed
  • Send coaching requests to Coaches, Experts, Volunteers, and Investors
  • Upload pitch decks and track startup stages
  • Log growth metrics for their startup

To apply, you will provide:

  • Your startup name and tagline
  • A short startup description
  • Your industry and current stage (Idea, MVP, Growth, or Scale)

When your Founder application is approved, a startup profile is automatically created for you.

Coach

A Coach provides structured mentorship and growth guidance to early-stage founders.

What Coaches can do:

  • Receive and accept coaching requests from Founders
  • Be the Lead Coach in a squad (one per squad)
  • Set growth targets with founders inside active coaching relationships
  • Post updates to squad feeds
  • Schedule and run office hours sessions

To apply, you will provide:

  • Your domain expertise (areas you coach in)
  • Years of experience
  • Your availability (how many hours per week you can commit)

Domain Expert

A Domain Expert offers deep knowledge in a specific field — AI, product, engineering, operations, marketing, or another business area.

What Domain Experts can do:

  • Receive expert-type coaching requests from Founders
  • Join squads as a supporting member
  • Share expertise and guidance within the community

To apply, you will provide:

  • A description of your business experience
  • The industries you are most active in

Volunteer

A Volunteer contributes practical skills — legal, design, marketing, web development, branding — directly to founders who need them.

What Volunteers can do:

  • Receive volunteer-type coaching requests from Founders
  • Take on the Volunteer Manager role in a squad (one per squad)
  • Join squads as a supporting member

To apply, you will provide:

  • The areas where you can help (Legal, Marketing, Design, Technology, Finance, Operations, HR, PR, Strategy, Research)
  • Your specific skills (Web Development, Branding, Copywriting, SEO, and others)
  • Your availability

Investor

An Investor reviews early-stage startups and connects with founders who match their investment focus.

What Investors can do:

  • Receive investor-type coaching requests from Founders
  • Join squads as a supporting member
  • Review pitch decks and engage with startup updates

To apply, you will provide:

  • Your investment focus (industries or sectors)
  • Stage preference (Idea, MVP, Growth, Scale)
  • Typical check size
  • Portfolio URL (optional)

How to Apply for a Role

  1. Complete your basic onboarding first (name, bio, LinkedIn).
  2. Click the role selector dropdown in the top navigation bar.
  3. Select the role you want to apply for.
  4. Fill in the role-specific application fields.
  5. Read and accept the three agreements: role-specific Terms, General Service Terms, and Privacy Policy.
  6. Click Submit Application.

Your application status becomes Pending. An IgniteAI admin will review your application. You will receive an email when a decision is made.

What Happens After Approval

  • Your role is added to your profile and becomes visible to other members.
  • Role-specific profile fields appear on your profile page.
  • For Founders: a startup profile is automatically created based on the details you submitted.

If your application is rejected, you will receive an email explaining why. You can address the issue and reapply.

Holding Multiple Roles

You can hold more than one role at the same time. Each role requires a separate application. Apply for additional roles at any time using the same role dropdown in the navigation.

Tips

  • Apply for your most important role first. If you are a Founder, that is your primary experience.
  • Fill in your role profile completely. Other members look at role-specific fields when deciding whether to connect with you.
  • Be honest in your application. Admins review every application.
  • Check your email after applying. Approval and rejection notifications are sent by email.

FAQ

Q: How long does role approval take?
A: Most applications are reviewed within a few business days.

Q: Can I apply for multiple roles at once?
A: Yes. You can submit applications for multiple roles. Each is reviewed independently.

Q: What is a Volunteer Manager?
A: The Volunteer Manager is a special elevated position within a squad with squad management responsibilities including transitioning the squad from OPEN to ACTIVE.

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