---
id: "founders-program"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "founders program"
language: "en"
category: "Registration life cycle"
updated: "2026-10-10T09:10:26Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/founders-program/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/programa-fundadores/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/founders-programm/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/programme-fondateurs/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/programma-fondatori/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/programa-fundadores/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/programma-osnovateley/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/chuangshizhe-jihua/"
---

# founders program

A scheme in which a new TLD registry gives a small number of names to chosen early users before the public launch. In gTLDs such schemes must fit within ICANN's launch program rules, which protect trademark holders.

## related terms

- [QLP](https://tldlog.com/glossary/qualified-launch-program/)
- [launch phase](https://tldlog.com/glossary/launch-phase/)
- [sunrise](https://tldlog.com/glossary/sunrise/)
- [registry operator](https://tldlog.com/glossary/registry-operator/)
- [New gTLD Program](https://tldlog.com/glossary/new-gtld-program/)