IgniteAI

General · Platform User Guides

Squads

Published 24 March 2026By Jordan Morris

Squads are the heart of IgniteAI. A squad is a small, structured cohort — typically one Lead Coach, one Volunteer Manager, and two to four Founders — who commit to supporting each other through a focused growth sprint.

The model is inspired by the All Blacks: high-performing teams hold each other accountable and show up every week with intention. Squads on IgniteAI provide that structure — regular office hours, a shared activity feed, and a clear start-to-finish cadence.

What Makes Up a Squad

Role in Squad Count Responsibility Lead Coach 1 Provides mentorship, leads office hours, posts squad updates Volunteer Manager 1 Manages squad operations, approves applications, transitions the squad to Active Founders 2-4 Bring their startups, participate in the sprint, post weekly updates Supporting Members Optional Coaches, Experts, Volunteers, and Investors in a supporting capacity

Each squad runs on either a weekly or biweekly sprint cadence.

Finding Open Squads

  1. Go to Squads in the navigation.
  2. The page shows squads that are currently open.
  3. Click on any squad card to view its full detail page.

Applying to a Squad

  1. Open the squad detail page.
  2. Click Apply.
  3. Select the role you are applying under.
  4. Add an optional message explaining why you want to join this squad.
  5. Click Submit Application.

Your application goes to the Volunteer Manager and admins for review.

Joining by Invitation

If you receive a squad invitation, check your email or go to your Notifications in the app. Click Accept to join. Invitations expire after a set period.

Inside an Active Squad

Once a squad moves to Active status, it becomes private. Only members and admins can view it.

The squad main page shows a shared activity feed. As a Founder, share your startup progress by posting updates with Squad Only visibility.

Office Hours

Office hours are scheduled sessions where squad members meet with the Lead Coach.

How to RSVP:

  1. Go to your Coaching page or the Squad page.
  2. Find the upcoming session.
  3. Click Accept to confirm attendance, or Decline if you cannot make it.

Sprint Cadence

A squad sprint cadence is either weekly or biweekly. Weekly cadence squads have higher accountability. Biweekly squads operate on a 14-day cycle.

Leaving a Squad

  1. Go to the squad page.
  2. Find the Leave option in the member actions menu.
  3. Confirm you want to leave.

Leaving a squad is permanent.

Tips

  • Apply to squads that match your startup stage. Read squad descriptions carefully.
  • RSVP to every office hours session. Even a Decline is better than no response.
  • Post your startup updates on a squad-visible setting. If your squad members cannot see your progress, they cannot support you.
  • Come to office hours with specific questions. Vague check-ins produce vague feedback.

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