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ℹ️ About this handbook

The OCV Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for founders building open core companies and an operational guide for OCV employees. It includes step-by-step processes, templates, and strategic guidance from company formation through growth stages. We document our policies, processes, and points of view in our public handbook so people outside of OCV can learn and benefit from our frameworks. The handbook is continuously updated to reflect the current status of operations and is subject to change.

⚠️ This is a public handbook. Do not add personal or confidential information. For security reasons, we do not name our internal systems, vendors, or list direct contact details. This document should not be relied on for legal, investment, or tax advice.

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Work with OCV

Prospective Founders

Catalyst Sponsorship Program

Operating Principles

Open Core

Open Core Model

Buyer-Based Segmentation

Licensing

Distribution

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Founder Resources

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Onboarding

First Week Logistics

Office Hours

Goal Setting

Monthly Investor Updates

Board of Directors and Board Approval

OCV Support Scope

CTO Founder Outreach

Formation Stage

Pre-Seed (First 18-24 Months)

Growth Stage (Post-External Funding)

Applying to YC

Vendor Deals for OCV Companies

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Product

Commercial MVP

Finding Product Market Fit

Open Source Community

Pricing

Sales

Founder-Led Sales

Professional Support & Services

The Sales Funnel

Channel Partners

Recurring Revenue

U.S. Federal Sales

Growth

Finding customers

SaaS Customer Metrics

Marketing

Fundraising

Building Blocks

Fundraising

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Legal & Compliance

Legal Team

Board Meetings and Annual Meeting Minutes

Privacy Policy

Subscription Agreements

Trademark Protection

Terms of Use

Compliance Requirements

Security

People Operations

Compensation & Benefits

Onboarding

Payroll

Public Handbook & Template

Phishing/Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Performance Evaluation

Stock Options

Team Classification

Terminations

Tracking Employee PTO

Hiring

Prospective CEOs

First Hires

Recruiting for OCV Companies

Co-Founder Interviews

Advisors

Global Workforce Considerations

Finance & Tax

Finance Operations for OCV Companies

Runway & Operating Budget

QSBS


OCV Employees