Where Startup Systems Lock Into Place
Move from ambition to alignment.
Identify leverage.
Eliminate the noise.
Build systems that scale.
The Tension Before Intervention
You’re building.
You have traction.
But effort isn’t compounding the way it should.
Now it feels like pressure is coming from all directions.
More decisions. More voices. Everything feels urgent.
And somehow, less clarity about what actually moves the company forward.
You’re still moving.
You just don’t feel in control anymore.
Putting You Back in the Driver’s Seat
Part systems lab, part think tank, Lug Nut Labs is built for founders who need clarity, not more noise.
We study how leverage, incentives, and structure shape real outcomes, then turn that thinking into practical systems founders can actually use.
This is where research meets decision-making.
Where ideas are pressure-tested before they become roadmaps.
Where momentum is rebuilt on purpose.
How You Can Engage
01
A structured system of courses to help you identify leverage, remove noise, and regain command of your company. Here we will help you align your ideas with action as a founder.
02
Ongoing writing on leverage, systems, and responsible building, designed to sharpen judgment over time. Here you can read through our Sub Stack to immerse yourself in our thinking.
03
Still curious about the Lab and how we work with founders? Take a look around — we’ve got plenty more to share and a closer look at what makes our approach unique.
What Founders Are Saying
Founders We’re Excited About
People
Founders building products centered on physical and mental health, wellbeing, performance, and recovery.
You’re thinking about bodies, minds, and lived experience.
You want what you build to genuinely help people feel better, not just track them.
Planet
Innovators paying close attention to how things are grown, made, and sustained.
This includes food systems, agriculture, materials, and responsible production.
You’re designing with longevity in mind.
And impact is non-negotiable.
Progress
Builders rethinking the work-life paradigm through culturally aligned infrastructure and frameworks.
You’re designing for how people work, connect, and collaborate.
You believe progress should strengthen the collective
It should feel human at scale and sustainable over time.
Introducing Nitro
Internship Marketplace & Talent Pipeline
Nitro is an internship marketplace founded that connects innovative startups with motivated high school students eager to learn and contribute. We help startups find interns who are excited to support teams across a wide range of projects, while giving students hands-on, real-world experience.
We’d love to learn more about your values, the types of projects interns could work on, and how they can best support your team.
-
Nitro exists to close the gap between talented high school students and startups that need real support. Too often, capable students lack access to meaningful opportunities, while startups struggle to find motivated help. We make that connection simple, intentional, and impactful for both sides.
-
Nitro is a curated platform connecting high school students with startups for meaningful internships. Startups post project roles, and students create polished profiles through our mentorship network. Nitro streamlines applications and matches, giving startups capable support and students hands-on experience they wouldn’t otherwise get.
-
"working with Mae has been a great way to make sure our experience is headed in the right direction!
In addition, her quality and timeliness of work has also helped us exceed our outreach goals which is essential to our growth." - Jonathan M, Founder and CEO of Fitalyst
We’re inviting a few startups to join Nitro’s beta and shape a high-impact internship program. Interested in working with motivated students?
Schedule a quick intro call below!