The Forge Behind the Founders.
Z1 Forge is where small teams go from zero to one. Four roles, twelve weeks, one live product. No theory. No slides. Just shipping.
Apply for Cohort 1
Where raw ideas are forged into real products.
Who We Are
From Service Provider to Ecosystem Architect.
Starting Block Ventures is a venture studio based in Makati, Philippines. Founded in 2024, SBV champions companies bold enough to reinvent how we live — across Fintech, Healthtech, SaaS, Climatetech, AI, and Consumer.
We evolved from being service providers to becoming ecosystem architects — building the infrastructure that helps founders thrive. Our reach extends across ASEAN and Greater China, connecting founders with global opportunities.
Z1 Forge is where that ecosystem starts. It's SBV's 12-week bootcamp where teams of four go from zero to one — a live, deployed product with real users and real revenue. Forge is the entry point into the broader SBV ecosystem: Mentors for guidance, Pitch for investor visibility, and InSpace for community.
Rooted in Makati, Philippines
ForgeWhat Drives Us
Our Values
Every decision we make — from who we accept to how we structure the program — traces back to these four principles.
Merit-Driven
The best ideas win, regardless of background. Our selection focuses purely on potential and execution capability.
Co-Building
We don’t just invest — we roll up our sleeves and build alongside founders. From strategy to operations, we’re in the trenches with you.
Long-Term Partnership
Building great companies takes time. We’re committed to supporting founders through every stage of their journey.
Global Mindset
Rooted in the Philippines, thinking globally. Our network spans ASEAN, Greater China, and beyond.
The Why
Not a Mission Statement.
A Reason to Exist.
We didn't write a vision on a wall. We built a program around a conviction: the world has enough pitch decks and not enough live products.
Builders deserve better than a pitch competition.
Most programs celebrate decks. We celebrate deploys. Z1 exists because the best way to learn how to build a startup is to actually build one — with a real team, real users, and real deadlines. Every Friday.
Every builder in the Philippines ships their first product.
We’re building the infrastructure for a generation of product-led founders. Not just ideas on whiteboards — live products with paying users, launched by teams who learned by doing.
From "someday" to shipped.
Twelve weeks. One team. One product. By the end, you have revenue, users, and a roadmap — not a certificate. The gap between “I have an idea” and “I have a company” gets smaller every cohort.
The path from “someday” to shipped starts here.
The 4H Framework
Four people. Four roles.
One product that ships.
Four strengths. One product that actually ships.
HACKER
The Builder + Code Owner
Writes the code. Owns architecture, APIs, deployment.
HUSTLER
The Seller + Business Lead
Gets users, closes deals, tells the story.
HIPSTER
The Brand + Growth Marketer
Builds the brand and grows the audience.
HOUND
The Researcher + Data Lead
Finds the truth. Owns user research and analytics.
The Ecosystem
Four Platforms. One Ecosystem.
Graduation Outcomes
What You Walk Away With.
Not certificates. Not pitch decks collecting dust. A live product with real users and real revenue.