Frequently Asked Questions

The Founding Cohort is the first Foundations cohort running under MANA Labs. It’s a chance to be part of the program from the beginning, with a small group of 12 people who will help shape the experience as MANA grows. The Founding Cohort runs September 16–October 7, 2026 and is priced at $1,250. Everyone who joins the Founding Cohort keeps founding member status and gets lifetime access to everything we add to Foundations over time. Future cohorts will start at $1,500, so the Founding Cohort is a one-time opportunity to get in at the beginning, at our founding rate, and be part of building what comes next.

If you’d like to join, but the only thing stopping you is a scheduling conflict, click here.

Foundations is for people with something they want to build. Whether that’s a business, a brand, a product, a creative project, or a better way of working, you’ll learn how to use AI as a collaborator to help bring it into the world. Many of our members are founders, business owners, entrepreneurs, marketers, consultants, operators, freelancers, and creators—but no technical background is required.

No. Foundations is designed for people who already use AI and want to move beyond prompting into building systems. You’ll learn how to teach AI who you are, how you work, how you make decisions, and how to create workflows that continue improving over time. If you’re already building advanced automations, creating custom tools, and running complex AI workflows every day, you may be beyond Foundations.

Yes. From day one, you’ll work on your own project—whether that’s a business, a brand, a website, an app, or something entirely different. The goal isn’t to complete generic exercises. It’s to make meaningful progress on the work that matters most to you.

Foundations teaches a new way of working. Over four weeks, you’ll build an AI collaborator that understands your goals, your standards, and the way you create. You’ll leave with systems, workflows, and an approach that continues supporting your work long after the Workshop ends.

Foundations centers around Claude Code, with ChatGPT and Gemini introduced where they’re the best tool for the job. More importantly, you’ll develop principles that transfer as the technology continues to evolve.

Yes, one. Foundations is built around Claude Code, so you’ll need a Claude Pro or Claude Max plan ($20/month+). It’s the one tool you’ll use in every workshop, and to keep building with long after the workshop ends. Everything else we use is free or optional.

No. Foundations is designed for creators, not engineers. You’ll run a few commands and work with configuration files, but we’ll guide you through everything step by step. If you can follow instructions and you’re comfortable using a computer, you’ll be just fine.

Plan for about four to six hours each week: · 90 minutes in the live workshop. · 60 minutes in the weekly office hours (optional). · Two to four hours applying what you’ve learned to your own project.

We keep each cohort small to create space for meaningful discussion, individual feedback, and the opportunity to ask questions throughout every workshop. You’ll build alongside a group of ambitious creators while still receiving personal guidance from the MANA team. Our Founding Cohort is capped at 12 participants.

Every workshop is recorded and yours to keep. You’ll also have access to weekly office hours where you can ask questions, catch up, and get unstuck.

Usually. Some organizations restrict software installations or developer tools. If that’s the case, we recommend using a personal computer and your own Claude Pro account. We’ll help you determine the best setup before the Workshop begins.

You’ll have lifetime access to workshop recordings, templates, resources, and the growing MANA Library. Everything you build during the Workshop is yours to continue using and improve over time.

The Founding Cohort of Foundations is $1,250 and includes: · Four live workshops · Weekly office hours · Lifetime access to workshop recordings · Templates, resources, and the MANA Library The Founding Cohort is the first Foundations cohort running under MANA Labs. Future cohorts will start at $1,500. Requires a Claude Pro or Max subscription ($20/mo+), billed separately.

Yes. You can choose to pay for Foundations over time through Klarna, Afterpay, or other buy-now-pay-later options at checkout. You’ll see the payment options, terms, and any applicable interest or fees before you complete your purchase. Available plans vary by provider, purchase amount, and individual eligibility. Some plans may be interest-free, while others may include interest. Payment plans are currently available to participants paying from the United States. If you’re outside the U.S. and would like to split your tuition into payments, email us at hello@manalabs.academy and we’ll do our best to help.

Absolutely. Many employers offer professional development, learning and development, or education budgets that can be used for courses like Foundations. Eligibility varies by company, so we recommend checking your employer’s policy before enrolling. We’ll make the process as easy as possible: you’ll receive a ready-to-send email for your manager or HR team, an official invoice for reimbursement, and program documentation outlining the curriculum and learning outcomes. We’ll also provide a Certificate of Completion after the program, and can provide additional documentation such as a W-9 if your employer requires it.

Yes. Attend the first two workshops, complete the work, and if you don’t feel the Workshop is moving your work forward, let us know before the end of Week 2 and we’ll issue a full refund. Our complete refund policy is below.

Yes. We partner with organizations to help teams adopt AI thoughtfully, build practical workflows, and develop shared ways of working. Schedule a discovery call →