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A two-week builder sprint run by Barn VC × Builders Club, timed to the YC Winter 2027 application deadline. One deliverable each — your one-minute YC founder video — and two weeks doing the work that gives you the confidence to record it. This page is everything you need to know to run the two weeks.

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The basics

• Runs: Monday Oct 19 → Monday Nov 2, 2026 (2 weeks).
• The forcing function: the YC Winter 2027 application deadline is Nov 2 at 8 PM PT (11 PM Toronto). Demo Day is that afternoon. You screen your video, get feedback, and submit that night.
• The deliverable: your one-minute YC founder video. Everything in the two weeks — talking to users, getting a number you can claim, sharpening the one-liner — exists to make that minute convincing.
• Daily block: 7–8 PM Toronto, every weekday, closing with the 8 PM check-in. Moved from afternoons — the S26 cohort said evenings fit better around work and class.
• In person: Kickoff (Oct 19) and Demo Day (Nov 2), both at Builders Club in Waterloo.
• Live check-in: twice a week, cameras on — Slack alone goes quiet.
• Who runs it: Jesse — reach him in #help or by DM.

What changed from S26

The S26 cohort rated the sprint 8.1 out of 10 and every respondent said they'd do it again. Four changes came out of their feedback:

1. Evening block instead of afternoons. The 3–5 PM slot consistently conflicted for people with jobs and classes.
2. Two live video check-ins per week. Repeatedly asked for — cameras on, or in person. Text-only accountability faded in week two.
3. A tighter Demo Day. One deliverable, one minute each — the format is the timer.
4. A shared in-person schedule. People wanted to know who was going to be at the building so they could actually co-work.

The daily rhythm

Every weekday runs the same shape so you always know what's happening:

• 8:00 AM — Reading drop. The day's tactical read lands in #workshops — pull it on your own time.
• 9:00 AM — Standup. Bob posts the prompt in #standup; drop 3 lines (yesterday / today / blocker) any time before evening.
• 10:00 AM — Commitment echo. Bob DMs you back yesterday's commitment so it's front of mind.