The Great Side Hustle
This isn't a prize. It's an application to actually build something real, together, with eight other people matched to your skills and your appetite for risk. No cash payout, no equity taken -- whatever gets built belongs entirely to the team that builds it.
What this offers
A real, matched team
Not networking, not mentorship. Nine people, deliberately matched by complementary skill, who commit to building one company together for as long as it actually takes.
Full immersion
The selected team relocates together to a shared, remote location for the immersion period, removing the everyday distractions and half-commitment that kill most side hustles before they start.
Full ownership, nothing taken
Whatever gets built belongs entirely to the nine people who build it. Talmyn facilitates the matching and covers the process editorially. It does not take equity, and it does not pay out a cash prize.
Who this is for
People with a real, specific skill, not just an idea, who've never had the right co-founders to actually execute with. Developers, designers, operators, salespeople, and specialists good enough at something narrow that a team built around complementary skills could plausibly build a real, revenue-generating company together.
How it works
- Apply and tell us what you actually bring: your specific skill, your track record, and what you're willing to risk to do this for real.
- Selected applicants go through a structured matching process, not a random draw, so the final team of nine has genuinely complementary skills rather than nine similar people.
- The matched team relocates together to a shared, remote location for the immersion period, on terms agreed upfront by everyone selected.
- The team builds one company together, splitting equity by their own agreement before the program starts, not decided by Talmyn.
- Talmyn documents and covers the process editorially. The company, and everything it earns, belongs to the team.
Rules & eligibility
- Applicants must be 18 or older.
- Applicants must be prepared to relocate for an extended period. Full logistics and cost arrangements are disclosed directly to shortlisted applicants before anyone commits.
- There is no fee to apply, and no one is charged to be considered.
- Selection is based on demonstrated skill and team fit, not on payment or connections.
- Full program terms, safety information, and legal agreements are provided directly to shortlisted applicants before anyone is asked to commit or relocate.
How do I actually apply?
Submit the application below with your specific skill, a work sample or portfolio if you have one, and a short answer on why you want to build a company this way. Shortlisted applicants hear back directly with full program details before any commitment is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a competition with a cash prize?
No. Nobody is paid a million-dollar prize. The matched team builds a real company together and owns it together -- any value it creates belongs to the people who built it, not to Talmyn.
Does Talmyn take equity in the company?
No. Talmyn facilitates matching applicants into a team and covers the process editorially. It does not take equity and does not charge a fee.
What does "living in the wild" actually mean?
The selected team relocates together to a shared, remote location for the immersion period, removing everyday distractions so the team can focus on building. Full logistics and safety details go to shortlisted applicants before anything is finalized.
Is there a cost to apply?
No. There is no fee to apply or to be considered at any stage.
What happens if the company doesn't reach a million dollars in value?
The goal is real and ambitious, but it isn't guaranteed. What's guaranteed is a genuinely matched team and a real shot at building something together, not a promised financial outcome.
Selection is editorial and unpaid on both sides — no one is charged to submit, and no one is paid for work we publish. Talmyn's editorial standards apply the same way here as everywhere else on the site. See can companies pay to appear in Talmyn's rankings or awards for the full answer.
Submit
Meet the cohort
The first entries are being reviewed now — check back soon, or be one of the first to submit yours below.