Former journalists help AI startups craft compelling investor narratives

Outside The Box Ventures has launched Founder’s Box, an “accelerator” program that pairs former journalists with AI startups to help them craft compelling narratives for investors and the media. The 10-week program will invest $150,000 in each of 15 accepted AI companies, addressing what managing partner Katie Tarbox calls “a critical gap in the AI market: narrative clarity.”

Why this matters: Many AI startups struggle to articulate their value propositions clearly, especially when their technical advantages are subtle, making it harder for investors to differentiate between companies in an increasingly crowded market.

How it works: The program connects AI founders with experienced journalist mentors who help them develop their storytelling and communication strategies.

• Mentor roster includes heavy hitters like former New York Times business editor Jim Impoco, investigative journalist Bethany McLean, and former Inc. editor-in-chief Eric Schurenberg.
• Former Wall Street Journal editor Scott Austin is leading the project.
• The initiative is backed by Outside The Box Ventures, which also supports Hunterbrook, an investigations and investment firm.

Novel compensation model: Rather than traditional consulting fees, the journalist mentors will receive carry—a percentage of profits from the fund—creating a direct financial incentive tied to the startups’ success.

What they’re saying: “Many promising early-stage founders struggle to clearly articulate their value propositions, especially when their technical advantages may be subtle,” said Tarbox, a former New York Times reporter. “Investors, too, find differentiation increasingly difficult in a crowded AI landscape, placing greater importance on narrative clarity and credible media validation.”

The bigger picture: The program represents a creative solution for both struggling media professionals seeking new revenue streams and AI startups needing to stand out in a saturated market, while giving former journalists an opportunity to understand AI’s evolving landscape.