Founder Mode - 12 Feb 2026

Hi there,

Welcome back to Founder Mode.
I missed a couple of weeks, so this one is a catch-up bundle: the best things I’ve read, watched, and bookmarked, plus three open calls worth applying to.

Thanks for reading, and let’s dive in!

🔥 Top Finds

ClawdBot (Openclaw) setup in 27 minutes (Alex Finn)
If you want to understand why everyone suddenly has a Mac Mini on their desk, this is the a great walkthrough. It shows how to set up Openclaw and makes it obvious why people are hyped: it feels closer to a tireless junior operator than a chatbot. Watch it, then decide if you are excited or slightly concerned.

Vibe coding’s real use cases
Nope, people are not replacing CRMs yet! They are shipping fast prototypes, building internal tools that match messy workflows, and unblocking teams that are tired of waiting on engineering cycles. Read it if you want some inspiration on what to build next.

ChatGPT starts testing ads
The free ride is changing shape. OpenAI is testing ads for Free and Go users in the US, and that has second-order effects: distribution, UX expectations, and a new set of incentives for anyone building on top of ChatGPT’s audience.

Events as a growth channel
If you have ever seen a single dinner create hires, customers, and investor intros faster than a quarter of outbound, this one will feel obvious in the best way. It breaks down why events work when they work, and how to treat them like a repeatable channel instead of a one-off party.  

The Stack Above the Cloud (space infrastructure opportunity)
This is one of those pieces that makes you see a whole category more clearly. It maps the emerging space infrastructure layers and where startups can wedge in, which is useful even if you do not care about space, because it’s really about timing, platform shifts, and new “picks and shovels.” Even Singapore is launching a space agency to not miss out on this.

Pillar VC’s Founder Resources
A high-signal library for founders who like stealing patterns from people who have already been punched in the face by the reality of startup life. Good for quick resources and template on fundraising, leadership, legal, and the boring stuff that helps you in a pinch.

🎯 Opportunities

Singapore Tourism Accelerator - Cohort 8

Open to startups and established tech providers to pilot and scale solutions with tourism industry partners in Singapore, across 4 challenge area and deployment use cases.

Application Deadline: 27 Feb 2026

Amazon Devices Climate Tech Accelerator

Looking for climate tech startups building deployment-ready solutions that can be piloted with Amazon Devices, focused on practical product and supply-chain sustainability outcomes.

Application Deadline: 24 Feb 2026

The Pitch by Deel

Enter with your 2-minute pitch to win a $1,000,000 investment for your startup. The Pitch is a global tournament built to reward the world’s best founders.

Application Deadline: 23 Mar 2026 Onwards

🛠 Tool of the Week

Framer
Framer is one of the website builders that keep impressing. It’s design first approach is more power than most builders but with a reasonable learning curve. The Startup program is pretty generous with a free year of Framer Pro for eligible teams. If your website is due for a makeover, Framer is something to check out.

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💬 Founder Mode Quotes

🙂 Fun Mode

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